ALL IS BRIGHT

ELEVEN 26 BOUTIQUE

This outfit is perfectly suited for a night on the town. This ruched satin blazer is worn with matching pants and a sequined top. Accessorize with rhinestone cuffs and earrings.

BLUSH BY ELLE

Celebrate the season in this gray suede moto jacket worn over a black v-neck bodysuit. Complete the look with dark mid-rise jeans with distressed hems. Accessorize with black booties and gold hoops.

MAX PORTER PROVISIONS

Camden is on-trend in this denim button-down with pearl snaps worn over a classic long-sleeve gray tee. Pair with dark denim jeans from Flag & Anthem.

HEMLINE MONROE

This super chic two-piece set pairs a scalloped sequined skirt with a mock neck cropped top. Pair with sparkly rhinestone heels, a shimmering black and diamond purse and rhinestone statement earrings.

HERRINGSTONES

This jacket is what all retro fantasies are made of with its psychedelic print. If you’re ready to channel that effortlessly cool style, rock this long line jacket with this set featuring blue luxe satin pants and matching spaghetti strap crop top. Accessorize with pink clutch with matching bow and coordinating shoes.

DUSTY & COMPANY

Sparkle this season with this sequined button-down from Dusty & Company. Accessorize with silver cowboy boots, a tassel necklace and stackable bracelets.

I REMEMBER

DEPENDING ON MY WIFE

I REMEMBER, how easy it used to be to do Christmas-gift shopping. That was before my wife succumbed to her battle with cancer. Prior to that, for over 50 years, all I had to do was to give her a credit card and she did the rest. Regularly, now, I am discovering numerous ways in which I depended on her to handle, or to help me handle, all sorts of things that needed to be done. I miss her a bunch, and Christmas shopping magnifies my loneliness. As much as I dislike paying off my credit card expenses, I would gladly exchange that for the giftpurchasing responsibility she managed for years. Besides, I still have to settle up with the credit card company! Blessed is the man who has a spouse to cope with the decisions relative to which gift is “right” for which recipient.

Please don’t misunderstand me. I am not adverse to buying and giving gifts. To the contrary, I WANT to give presents to my loved ones; I am just so inept at making decisions about what to give. When my wife did the search for the “just-right” gift, the responses to her choices made it evident that she had made the right decisions. With my selections, not so much! So, what is a fellow to do?

As I see it, there are not a large bunch of options available to me. One possible path would be not to bother with shopping for my family – to just forego the custom of giving presents. However the more I ponder that route, the less appeal it holds for me. I cannot bear the thought of seeing the pained expression on the face of my youngest granddaughter should she find no gift from me under the Christmas tree. The older grands might hide their disappointment, but I dare not take a chance with sweet Lilly. That rather foolish possibility must be discarded.

Another way of coping with my dilemma would be to give gift cards or money. I’ve been told that young folks can always use a little extra cash, and I have gone that path a few times, but I cannot get over the feeling that such an approach borders on a way of thinking that is unworthy of my family and their importance to me. They deserve better! Perhaps I ought to revive the WHILE OUR FOCUS IS ON CHRISTMAS GIFTS, practice of furnishing the credit

LET ME ENCOURAGE US TO GIVE SOME card and getting someone more capable than I am to make at least

THOUGHT TO THE VERY BEST CHRISTMAS some of the selections for me. GIFT EVER – THE GIFT OF JESUS. The one who comes to mind is a very experienced shopper who can hold her own against the best “purchasers” in the whole world. She learned from her mother (my wife), and she not only had the best teacher, she was a very able “student!” With her as my partner, I can be confident that all will go well and that all will be pleased on Christmas morning. So, “daughter of mine,” just let me know when you are ready for the credit card! While our focus is on Christmas gifts, let me encourage us to give some thought to the very best Christmas Gift ever – the Gift of Jesus, the Savior for the world. Of all the Christmas gifts that have been given, absolutely none can compare to this first Christmas Gift. The impact of that Gift has been, and continues to be, incomparable. Listen to what the Scripture says about Him: “The wages of sin is death, but the Gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23). The good that has come to millions of those who have placed their faith in Him cannot be measured. “Thank God for His unspeakable Gift.” (II Corinthians 9:15) Have a Merry Christmas and may God’s gift add to the joy of this special season.

article by PAUL LIPE

opinion expressed is that of the writer