Freebie Friday: A Tradition of Giving!

Traditionally Freebie Friday is when I vet Amazon’s kindle store and give you the links to what’s currently free and worth your time! (or at least looks that way!) Well, today I’m breaking tradition but offering a gift… so someone will still get a freebie, no false advertising here.

Christmas is right around the corner! As an adult (and parent) it’s easy to start seeing this mad dash between Thanksgiving and Christmas as a season of spending. We spend and yes we give but the stress of finding the right gifts for that ever lengthening list of people to shop for becomes a little bit less about the joy of giving that gift and more about getting everything bought and wrapped and under the tree before (ahem) Santa comes.

But there’s something special about giving a gift that we miss this time of year simply because gifts are, well… expected. Whether big or small, when someone surprises you with a gift it’s hard not to get that swell of meaning in your chest. That touch of gratitude and reaches down into the part of you that sometimes feels over-looked or forgotten or unappreciated. Just like spontaneous flowers are better than Valentine’s Day roses any day, a gift from the heart wins against that luxury price tag. Hands down.

Now, nice things are lovely. But not when they come wrapped up in obligation. At least. Not to me.

Just yesterday my husband made a point to tell me about the barista in the Starbucks drive-thru who gave him a free cup of coffee when he tried to cancel his order because he’d his forgotten his wallet. I still remember the bagger at my grocery store pulling a dollar out of his pocket for the used VHS Star Wars movie my son was mooning over that required cash when I’d only brought in my debit card. These were random acts of kindness, and not elaborate or expensive, but the spirit in which the gift was given was something special. Something I longed to capture and emulate in my everyday giving. Whether it’s a hand drawn Lego man picture for my son’s lunchbox or a quick love letter under my husband’s keys, I’ve found it matters very little what the gift is and very much what the unexpected gesture means. It’s buying a great book for a friend just because it might brighten their day. That is the tradition of giving I want my kids to see. A generous heart behind every ribbon.

So on this unconventional Freebie Friday I want to bless someone with a gift simply because it blesses me to be able to give. And all you need to do is leave comment about your favorite Christmas tradition to help get us in the spirit. I’ll draw a winner who will get an e-book bundle of Alley Cat New Releases! (I'll announce the winner and how to collect your gift in the comments on Sunday night! So check back!)

 

Hope you have a blessed Christmas season! Give with your whole heart!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Amy Leigh Simpson writes romantic mysteries with honesty and humor, sweetness and spice, and gritty reality covered by grace. When she’s not stealing moments at naptime to squeeze out a few more adventures in storyland, she’s chasing around two tow-headed miscreants (Ahem)—boys, playing dress up with one sweet princess baby, and being the very blessed wife to the coolest, most swoon-worthy man alive. Amy is a Midwestern-girl, a singer, blogger, runner, coffee-addict, and foodie. Her Sports Medicine degree is wasted patching up daily boo boo’s, but whatever is left usually finds its way onto the page with fluttering hearts, blood and guts, and scars that lead to happily ever after.

Check out her debut romantic mystery novel WHEN FALL FADES available now for $3.99!