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Friday, December 9, 2016

The Art of Gift Giving + A Special Gift Giveaway

Thank you all for taking time out of your busy lives to spend some time with us. With Christmas around the corner, I know how precious every minute can be. You've all made the release of Seven Brides for Seven Texans so much fun, and I hope you are blessed by each of the stories.

And our celebration will continue this weekend with Erica Vetsch bringing us another Behind the Scenes Sneak Peek. Then, starting Monday, Amanda Barratt with take over hostess duties. Join her as she shares more about her story, "The Truest Heart." The remaining four authors will follow on the subsequent weeks. Seven authors. Seven weeks of fun. Seven weeks of giveaways.

Speaking of giveaways, Susan P. is the winner of yesterday's giveaway. Susan if you'll leave your e-mail in your comments, I'll get Shannon's book sent out to you.

Today, if your name is drawn,  I'll be presenting a gift of Seven Brides for Seven Texans to someone you choose as a gift and one for you. The book will be a gift from you and I, and you won't have to share your own. It's Christmas--the time to give gifts.


Tis the Season

What's your favorite part of Christmas? Is it the magic of it all? The time spent with family?

If you asked most children, they'd say the presents are their favorite part. And who doesn't like a gift?

According to a New York Times article, "They have found that giving gifts is a surprisingly complex and important part of human interaction, helping to define relationships and strengthen bonds with family and friends. Indeed, psychologists say it is often the given, rather than the recipient, who reaps the biggest psychological gains from a gift."

As I was writing the "Heart of Texas", I wanted Chisholm to use the love language of gift giving. He needed to go out of his way to show Caro that he cared, but where was he going to find a gift on a ranch? And how would spicy Caro receive his gift?


He actually gives her two gifts and one of them is a bouquet of bluebonnets. I'll keep the other a secret. The flowers were a simple gift, but they spoke volumes to Caro. It made her open her heart to possibilities, and the gift helped strengthen their bond. It helped Chisholm realize his growing feelings and his desire to take care of Caro.

According to Dr. Evelyn Langer, a Stanford psychology professor, when we five to others it reinforces our feeling for them and makes us feel effective and caring. The biggest effect of giving gifts is actually on ourselves. There's a lot of pleasure in giving and knowing you've taken care of someone.

Hmmm, I guess Chisholm was ahead of his time.

So, let's talk about meaningful gifts. What do you think makes a good gift? Why are gifts important in our culture? What are some of the best gifts you've received? Any romantic gifts you're willing to share? If your name is selected for the Seven Brides for Seven Texans gifting, who would you want it given to? Why?

As you purchase your gifts this year, remember the following:


Hint: Seven Brides for Seven Texans is a gift that can go on everyone's list.

~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~

Lorna Seilstad
Lorna Seilstad brings history back to life using a generous dash of humor. She is the author of the Lake Manawa Summers Series and the Gregory Sisters Series and is a Carol historical romance finalist. She and her husband are almost empty-nesters and call Iowa home. 
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17 comments:

  1. Our daughter's outgoing love language is the giving of gifts. She works hard to choose things that are just right for each recipient and delights in watching the person open her presents in her presence.

    You don't need to enter me in the giveaway. I have a few copies of the book myself. ;-)

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    1. Keli, my sister's love language is giving gifts, too. She spends a lot of time thinking about what she'll get the person.

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  2. The best part of Christmas is just being with family. Laughing and sharing time with each other!

    I love to give gifts but this year I will not be able to which is very hard (hubby has been out of work since June). So this a season of trusting and not trying to be in control. Which is very difficult when you don't know how things will get paid. And this Christmas is especially hard because it's our grandsons first.

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    1. Regina, I'm sorry things have been tough lately, but I admire your trusting spirit.Bless you all this Christmas.

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  3. The best art of Christmas would definitely be the gift giving....and watching my kids open gifts!! And I definitely love the family time :)

    Thought definitely makes a gift meaningful!! Handmade is the first ting that comes to mind when I think of a good gift but honestly anything that's been thought about and comes from the heari think they're important cause it shows that you care. off the top of my head I've loved most of my gifts lol...can't think of any that stick out more than others
    Romantic does a just because coloring book from hubby count lol
    If I'm selected I'd definitely give it to Kristin!! We've never met in person but she's one of my best online friends and my reading/reviewing buddy

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    1. Hi Alecia! I love handmade gifts, too, but I agree that anything that comes from the heart is extra special. I love that you and Kristin are such good friends, even though you've never met in person. I have some of those friends from the reading/writing world as well.

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  4. Yay, thank you for the giveaway yesterday! My email is lattebooksAThotmailDOTcom.
    As for today - I agree, giving gifts helps US more than the receiver. Homemade gifts make my heart swell. That must be my love language. My hubby knows the way to my heart is bringing home a Starbucks. :) It means more to me than jewelry or other "big" thing. I agree with others that it is the thought behind it or the thought that went into the picking it out that means so much. Since I won yesterday - don't put my name in for today. ;)

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    1. So Susan, you're a Starbucks lover. He must be a really thoughtful guy. Merry Christmas!

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  5. I love being with my family at Christmas time. I love giving gifts too. thank you for sharing.

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    1. Merry Christmas, Anne! Being with family is even more important than the gifts, isn't it?

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  6. I like to think when it comes to people I know well I am a pretty good gift giver =) I try to pay attention throughout the year two things they like or comment on.

    I do find it harder to buy for family members that I only spend time with at the holidays. My family is pretty small so it's not a problem but my husband's family is growing ever larger, and he likes to buy for each and every brother, sister, niece, nephew, grandniece, grandnephew etc.

    If I won, I would give the extra copy to my aunt.

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    1. Patty, I know how hard it can be to buy for a large family. There are 34 of us on my family's side. We buy for everyone under 18 and draw names among those who are over 18. It's a lot of fun, but it sure takes time.

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  7. I think books make amazing gifts. I believe gifts are important in our culture today for two reasons. 1. Gifts reminded us that God gave us the grestest gift of all Jesus Christ and 2. It shows us who cares and love us

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    1. Bless you, Kirsten, for reminding us about the greatest gift of all--Jesus. And yes, books make AMAZING gifts. (Hint. Hint.)

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  8. I think what makes a good gift is the thought and putting your heart into it. Books make the best gifts or anything homemade. Some of the best gifts I have received are anything with my daughter, Faith's name on it that died when she was 12 days old in 2013. My favorite Christmas gift was from my first Christmas with my boyfriend (my now husband) He gave me a giant teddy bear.

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    1. A giant teddy bear, Stephanie? A great way to show you he was a keeper, huh? I think the people who've given you "Faith" gifts are precious gift givers.

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  9. I always make sure to give my books for Christmas and they make sure to get me a couple of books from my wishlist. Books are awesome! :)

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