I promised you a few days ago, when I shared the 12 Dates of Christmas which was my gift to my husband last year, that I'd also share what he created for me.
If you've been following my blog for a while you probably already know that like me, my husband Paul is an Author, but he's also a great poet as well. I have been the lucky recipient of his beautiful poems for years and especially enjoyed the ones he would mail to me while we were dating.
When we were planning our wedding I thought it would be great to take one of my favorite poems that he wrote for me titled 'Dream Come True' and I had it printed on some gorgeous cardstock for each table in the reception area as another keepsake for our guests. Paul has actually written 18 book now including a 500-page poetry book filled with inspirational poems called Poems that Propel the Planet.
So, it should have come as no surprise that his gift to me was a book of poems, but I had no idea and this wasn't any old book. He took a cute pink flexi binder and filled it with poems affixed to scrapbook pages that he had purchased and then attached some embellishments and stickers to make it a fun, girly book that is now a cherished keepsake. How cute is that? He is such a manly man, but he happens to love pink and can rejoice with the girly things I love. This is just one of the reason's I'm hoping that our future first baby one day will be a girl. ;)
Here are some photos of the lovely book he created for me. These 10 poems were not super sweet, sappy poems, but rather well-thought-out, inspirational poems after a challenging year we both endured in 2008. Such is the life sometimes for us entrepreneurs! I wanted to show you the time he spent on creating this lovely book by sharing each page. I really enjoyed one cute poem in particular called 'Caring and Cleaning' where he shares his appreciation for my domesticity. He usually tells me so regularly, but it was fun to see it incorporated into a poem.
For those of you with less creative husbands, don't fret. Trust me, this doesn't happen everyday. We made a commitment last year to create homemade gifts and the gift itself could be anything that was made with our own two hands. I had no idea what to expect.
Yes, the blurry text for all of the poems below is intentional. *wink*.
Photo on book cover from our 2007 Caribbean cruise.
Although the others are blurred, here is a Christmas Poem he wrote last year that you all can read. Often times he writes for the masses (as is the case for this poem). I love the message and it's a good reminder to all of us that Christmas is much more than a stressful and chaotic shopping month involving huge expenses.
CHRISTMAS MINUS THE MESS
Christmas minus the mess
Is most glorious
Christ without merchandise
Is elegant and nice
Excessive shopping
Going here, there, and everywhere
Frantically looking and buying
Certainly this rat race
Has nothing to do
With seeking God's face
Neither adoring the Lord
Nor entering His loving embrace
On the contrary
It comes with a bit of distaste
As it drives you furiously
To go with the flow
Be like everyone else
Buy lest someone cry
Yet one thing you've not detected
The most important Person you've neglected
Christmas is about Christ
Have came from heaven to earth
Giving us his life
That we here below
May experience newness of life
Not that we'd consumed by black Friday
Holiday preparations and strife
Worried when finances are tight
Maxed out on credit cards
Borrowing beyond our means
Such things do demean
The very thing for which Christ died
Perhaps we need to reevaluate
And examine our hearts inside
Lest our foot soon slide
And we be overtaken by our sins
Christ came to empower us to win
Victory comes through Christ the King
By His Spirit He makes you to sing
Christ the Lord
Is fun and never bored
The Spirit of Christ
Moves you Godward
Cleanses your heart
From being froward
Baby Jesus was crucified
Nevertheless conquering disappointment
Christ rose from the grave
His life the greatest gift He gave
His sacrifice for souls to save
Christ rose again on the 3rd day
Now than what will you say?
With this Immanuel what will you do
The King of kings and Prince of peace
Who wholeheartedly died for you?
Did you hubby make or plan out something super creative for you as a gift? Tell us about it!Would you ever consider doing a homemade Christmas present exchange with your spouse?
