If you have managed to open this post, you most likely have a minute to spare this Christmas Eve. Congratulations! Let me encourage you in this minute to make the most of this time.

Pause.

Breathe.

Remember why we celebrate Christmas.

Breathe again.

Put aside your to-do list for just a moment.

I want to help you make this Christmas special for your spouse. How, you ask? Isn’t it too late to buy one more gift? Most likely yes. But this has nothing to do with tangible gifts. This is about deferring and preferring your spouse for the next 24 hours.

Deferring means to submit humbly to (a person or a person’s wishes or qualities).

Preferring means promote or advance (someone) to a prestigious position.

Why not defer to your spouse’s desires as a special way to communicate your love for them. Better yet, don’t tell them what you’re doing. Just do it. Prefer their wishes over your own because you love them. Here are a few ideas…

1. Serve them their favorite breakfast. If it’s a family tradition, give them the first serving with a kiss.

2. Make their coffee/tea and bring it to them.

3. Allow them to open the first gift. Explain to your children why you are choosing to bless your spouse in this way.

4. Rub their shoulders at some point during the day.

5. Give them an unexpected, lingering hug.

6. Make the bed.

7. If neatness is important to your spouse, clean-up the gift wrap as the gifts are open.

8. Give them your undivided attention as much as possible.

9. Serve them first when it’s time to eat.

10. Tell them or give them a card that communicates why it is your joy to defer and prefer them.

It is easy for our spouse to feel overlooked during this busy season. I pray these ideas will help you be intentional in showing love to your spouse. Let’s purpose to do all we can to defer and prefer tomorrow. Merry Christmas!