Oh my…just a few more shopping days ‘til Christmas. It’s time to get in high gear, and find those last minute stocking stuffers. If you don’t know what to buy someone, I’m a big fan of gift cards. Sure, they may not be so creative, but they are certainly practical. This year, one of my favs is Target Gift Coins. Five $5 gift coins come together in a package for $25. You can give them together or separate them into 5 quick gifts…perfect to stick in a holiday greeting card. As an added bonus, a portion of the proceeds go to a good cause. Target donates $2 of every purchase to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital between 11/01/09 and 12/24/09. (Maximum donation of $750,000. 1-800-4STJUDE.)

Another smart idea is to make a donation to a nonprofit in someone’s honor. FEEDING AMERICA is an organization that I highly recommend. It’s the nation’s leading domestic hunger- relief charity. Their mission is to feed America’s hungry through a network of food banks. To donate, check out their website – www.feedingamerica.org. They help so many less fortunate people…so it’s a great cause!

Music is always a wonderful gift idea. CDs are perfect for stuffing those stockings, and who couldn’t use some inspirational tunes to brighten up their life?

Here are a couple of my favorite new releases:

A must buy is Todd Agnew’s powerful CD – NEED. Inspired by his recent life changes and learning experiences, Agnew’s new project is in a word…AWESOME! Awe-inspiring is more like it. Track two, “Written on the Wall,” and track 3, “I Need No Other” are my absolute favorites on the CD. I keep playing these two songs over and over again. I just can’t get enough!! Be sure to visit his website for more information about this incredible musician – www.toddagnew.com.

Next is critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Phil Wickham’s latest CD – HEAVEN & EARTH. If you’re a fan of Coldplay…you’re sure to love Phil Wickham! The INO Records’ artist has received the highest chart placement of his career as his third studio album HEAVEN & EARTH, debuted at No. 5 on the Christian music chart selling nearly 14k albums and landing the No. 50 spot on Billboard’s Top 200 chart. Wickham also dominated the iTunes ® Christian chart by recently hitting the No. 1 spot. The first single “Safe” features the MercyMe front man Bart Millard, and the lyrics are so encouraging. “You will be safe in His arms, You will be safe in His arms, the hands that hold the world are holding Your heart, this is the promise He made He will be with You always, when everything is falling apart you will be safe in His arms.” Please visit www.philwickham.com for more information.

Well…I hope you have found these stocking stuffer ideas helpful. I wish you all an abundance of peace and joy during this Christmas season.

Oh my…just a few more shopping days ‘til Christmas. It’s time to get in high gear, and find those last minute stocking stuffers. If you don’t know what to buy someone, I’m a big fan of gift cards. Sure, they may not be so creative, but they are certainly practical. This year, one of my favs is Target Gift Coins. Five $5 gift coins come together in a package for $25. You can give them together or separate them into 5 quick gifts…perfect to stick in a holiday greeting card. As an added bonus, a portion of the proceeds go to a good cause. Target donates $2 of every purchase to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital between 11/01/09 and 12/24/09. (Maximum donation of $750,000. 1-800-4STJUDE.)

Another smart idea is to make a donation to a nonprofit in someone’s honor. FEEDING AMERICA is an organization that I highly recommend. It’s the nation’s leading domestic hunger- relief charity. Their mission is to feed America’s hungry through a network of food banks. To donate, check out their website – www.feedingamerica.org. They help so many less fortunate people…so it’s a great cause!

Music is always a wonderful gift idea. CDs are perfect for stuffing those stockings, and who couldn’t use some inspirational tunes to brighten up their life?

Here are a couple of my favorite new releases:

A must buy is Todd Agnew’s powerful CD – NEED. Inspired by his recent life changes and learning experiences, Agnew’s new project is in a word…AWESOME! Awe-inspiring is more like it. Track two, “Written on the Wall,” and track 3, “I Need No Other” are my absolute favorites on the CD. I keep playing these two songs over and over again. I just can’t get enough!! Be sure to visit his website for more information about this incredible musician – www.toddagnew.com.

Next is critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Phil Wickham’s latest CD – HEAVEN & EARTH. If you’re a fan of Coldplay…you’re sure to love Phil Wickham! The INO Records’ artist has received the highest chart placement of his career as his third studio album HEAVEN & EARTH, debuted at No. 5 on the Christian music chart selling nearly 14k albums and landing the No. 50 spot on Billboard’s Top 200 chart. Wickham also dominated the iTunes ® Christian chart by recently hitting the No. 1 spot. The first single “Safe” features the MercyMe front man Bart Millard, and the lyrics are so encouraging. “You will be safe in His arms, You will be safe in His arms, the hands that hold the world are holding Your heart, this is the promise He made He will be with You always, when everything is falling apart you will be safe in His arms.” Please visit www.philwickham.com for more information.

Well…I hope you have found these stocking stuffer ideas helpful. I wish you all an abundance of peace and joy during this Christmas season.