This is Day 22 of the 30 Days of Giving: Making Christmas Meaningful campaign, which is designed to bring the Believe.com community creative and practical ways to cheerfully give this holiday season through gifts, relationships and charity. Come visit the 30 Days of Giving Advent Calendar each day in our countdown to Christmas for intriguing and original ways to help you to experience and spread the spirit of joyful giving that God intended throughout the holiday season.

Oftentimes Christmas is associated with material gifts, trying to get the hottest toy of the season and outdoing one another with frivolous items.

However, the true meaning of Christmas has not been forgotten by Christians who understand that the spirit of the holiday is about rejoicing in the celebration of our Father in heaven and spending time with loved ones. Presents given during the holidays are meant to show generosity of spirit, hospitality, kindness and appreciation for the love we have for one another.
 
However, not all gifts are on the same level when it comes to your friends, family and coworkers. For instance, the yearly gift you might give your postman is different from the gift you might give your spouse. The same can be said for what you might give a potential future spouse.
 
While it can be tempting to want to give the person you’re dating an overly expensive item, many times it’s the gifts that don’t cost anything that can mean the most. Just as our Lord has bestowed His gifts upon us, the most meaningful gifts weren’t paid for with anything tangible or monetary.
 
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. —James 1:17
 
Dwell on Your Partner’s Needs

When thinking of the right gift to give your potential future spouse for Christmas, think about what would truly mean something to the other person, rather than what would satisfy their immediate desires. Thinking of the future is something that means far more than a fading fad of a gift.
 
Validate Your Commitment

Many times, a gift that can mean the most to a potential spouse is validation of your feelings towards one another. While the dating phase can often be glorified as being the best part of a couple’s relationship, the truth is that the dating phase is just the beginning and the real treasure in a relationship is what comes after years and years of faithful and loving marriage.

On the contrary, the dating phase is often ambiguous and confusing. Giving the gift of validation of love and commitment can be a great way to show the other person what your true feelings are.
 
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. —Romans 12:9
 
Share Your True Feelings

Too often, advice is given to couples about how one should deceive the other; whether it’s trying to make the other question your true feelings or holding back feelings altogether. However, the best gift you can give your potential future spouse is allowing them to see your true feelings.

Open up to your partner by freeing yourself from the fears you might have. The fear of rejection, the fear of letting oneself be seen for who he or she is, the fear of letting go; these are common fears that can sometimes get in the way during the dating process.
 
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. —1 John 4:18
 
Open Yourself up to Your Partner

Christmas is the best time of year to cast out the fear in your heart and open yourself up to your partner. Give the gift of openness, commitment and a validation of love and the future.

With all individuals being different and no two couples being alike, the gift of revealing commitment is different for everyone. Whether it’s introducing your partner to your parents for the first time, inviting him to the family Christmas party, or just having a heartfelt conversation with your partner about the future, this is a gift that can mean far more than anything you could ever buy from a store.

Take advantage of the Christmas holiday by making it more than just a day for material presents and give the gift of love to your potential future spouse through validation, commitment and openness.