(Not Your Typical) Gift Guide {Episode 83 with Kate Merrick.}
Hey Friends! You ready to talk gifts today? But wait — No, this is not your typical gift guide. It’s way better! I’m so excited to share this interview with Kate Merrick with all of you.
Kate and I spoke weeks before the holidays, and we agreed that there are a lot of “GIFT GUIDES” out there, but there’s not a lot of “guidance on gifts!” haha. (that was a Kate quote, BTW.) But it’s so true! We wanted to just share a chat with all of you about the heart of Christmas…how that has looked for each of us in our current families, and in our families growing up. (You’ll love Kate’s story about her first married Christmas. *see photo down below*)
Kate shares some important words about growing up with divorced parents, (and adds a message to the single moms out there.) We talk about the gift of being present over the holidays (and some ways to do that well!) as well as a some suggestions for the very best ACTUAL GIFTS to give kids this year. I love Kate’s advice to moms about those gifts kids want that we just don’t feel good about (tough love here…) and I love pretty much everything about this conversation. I hope you do, too!
SHOW NOTES:
Kate’s most recent book: Here, Now: Unearthing Peace and Presence in an Overconnected World.
Kate also wrote: And Still She Laughs: Defiant Joy in the Depths of Suffering
Kate’s new brand (and surf club) www.mijasdelmar.com
AND —-> Always GET 10% OFF using CODE: WELOVEMONICA (awwww)! (also the Black Friday Sale might still be happening so get over there and check it out now!)
Kate on Episode 31 of the Boy Mom Podcast
Channel Islands Surfboards (Kate’s husband’s surfboard company.)
See my book trailer that Kate’s son, Isaiah, put together on this page.
A few of Kate’s suggestions for being “Present” with your family this season: Play cards and board games, cook, drive around and look at lights, lie on the floor around the tree together. (A Merrick favorite.)
Some of Kate’s words that I love the most...“Christmas is a time to love — and to accept that love is a gift from God.”
“Christmas is such an opportunity to love well..which doesn’t mean spend well.”
About shopping for kids:
Kate suggests: Give gifts that further their interests, and anything that teaches Godly character or points to Jesus.
I suggest: “Gifts of adventure” and family trips in place of Christmas. Anything that makes memories!
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Or you can listen right here! 🙂
A little more about Kate:
Kate Merrick is the cofounder of the Reality family of churches along with her husband, Britt. She’s the author of two books including And Still She Laughs, and most recently Here, Now. When she’s not writing, speaking at retreats and conferences, or #slayingmotherhood, you can find her at the beach, in the garden, or making delicious messes in the kitchen. She lives with her husband, two kids, two goats and a flock of chickens in Carpinteria, California.
Kate and Britt…the early days:
Kate’s cuties…
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My book, BOY MOM, was released in August of 2019 (Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers) and is full of practical advice and helpful resources for raising boys. It’s a great study for small groups!
Order it here: Boy Mom: What Your Son Needs Most from You
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