We've started practicing our new house payment.
Although we don't have to actually make any house payments of any kind during the construction period (4 - 6 months), we're taking that money out of each paycheck, sticking it in the bank, and easing ourselves into the reality of having a real, grown up mortgage payment.
{A close friend assured me that our previous monthly house payment was not real. It was just a pretend payment - much less than what most people pay in rent. I've loved our minuscule payment but not the minuscule square footage that accompanied it.}
As our budget has gone through a major checks and balances overhaul, Jeff has line item vetoed several categories and all pork barrel fat has been removed from it's cushy ledger. No more casual shopping at Target. No more $100 milk runs to Costy-co. No more slush funds for trinkets that dazzle my visual senses but that have no purpose otherwise. The Gregson financial belt has been tightened; I'm on a spending diet.
As wedding season is upon us, the marital announcements are starting to pile up on the kitchen counter. I've been thinking long and hard about wedding gifts that would serve these young couples well. Serve them well, but without busting our fragile budget wide open and forcing Top Ramen Stroganoff or Spam Souffle to become regular features on the Gregson family menu.
{Such delicacies are not found on Food Network.com. Trust me. I checked.}
Wedding gifts. As I looked at the pretty invitations covered with pictures of happy couples, a budget conscious vision flashed before me: without a doubt and with very little exception, what is one thing that most couples could use during their first year or two of marriage? The one thing that would make married life a little bit easier and benefit them on a daily basis. A gift that would keep on giving year after year?
Marriage Counseling.
I just happen to have a husband. He is an LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor. He does plenty of marriage counseling. He has a private practice here in town. He's good at what he does.
Can you see where I'm going with this?
I get some pretty paper. I'll go all out and get some wedding-ish embellishments. I make a gift certificate for a free session of marriage counseling. There wouldn't have to be an expiration date on it because we all hit that infamous the honeymoon is over point at different times. Some might want to redeem theirs as soon as the wedding gifts have all been exchanged. Some may not need to until the first Christmas rolls around and trouble starts a-brewin' over where to spend the holidays and how to divide up the traditions. Some lucky love struck saps may not even need it until the first child is born and the mother-in-laws start to give parenting advice. Every couple is different. But, mark my word, the happily ever after bubble does gradually deflate and every bride and every groom soon realizes that marriage is a lot of work - work worth doing and doing right - but work, nonetheless.
A marriage counseling wedding certificate. Is that not a gift idea swimming in brilliance (and most assuredly dunked in tongue-in-cheek)?
Yea or nay, folks?
5 comments:
LOVE the idea! (Good thing Jeff's not a divorce lawyer, though.)
I think you need some sewing lessons...An apron and a bag of cookie mix is a pretty affordable gift...Just sayin'
Once my dad became bishop, my mom had to think of something useful, but not expensive. Just like you were describing . . . The number of wedding announcements that they started receiving was increasing!
She came up with a FABULOUS idea that the couple REALLY appreciates and will be put to good use! She gives them a year subscription to The Ensign. I think it costs about $10 or so. She has had people mention how much they have liked the gift!
I give them a start on their FHE as a new family - gospel art book (costs $3 thru church distribution center), and the DVD set of the last General Conference ($7), and a church DVD of some sort (the last one I bought was the new Old Testament Resource Guide for $4-$5) so for $15 dollars they have a gift that keeps on giving and has spiritual blessings (which are priceless. They love it!! A subscription to the Ensign was a great idea too!!
can i get this counseling too? haha i'm not married yet, but i'd love it. aunt kristen, feel free to test this gift out and send it my way!
It would serve you DOUBLE! They might like it so much, think it's so beneficial, that they'll make MORE appointments beyond the first freebie, and that will mean MORE money for YOUR household - AND you didn't have to spend money on the gift!
I guess, you do run the risk of giving the message that you don't think they'll make it or they do NOT have a "marriage made in heaven" (which will SHOCK a newlywed!)....select only the unoffended types to give it to! ;)
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