Every Christmas, we struggle to find that perfect gift for that special someone. It doesn't matter who it is. It could be your wife, son, grandma, or that unfriendly coworker whom you just so happened to draw in the company "Secret Santa" game.




Well, look no further. I, being the local Christian retail expert (logging in just over 5 years at LifeWay Christian Store), can help you find that idyllic gift for this holiday season. Let's take a look at what's hot, and what's not for this Christmas season.

For your beautiful (and picky) wife:

The Purpose Driven Life - Rick Warren




Easily the hottest book of the year, this book begs the question: What on earth am I here for? Author Rick Warren sets each reader on a 40 day journey for defining one's life and living life with a purpose. This book can provide great opportunity for small talk with your wife and her coffee drinking pals, not to mention gives you major cool points with her for looking into her spiritual life, unlike that gaudy sweater you bought her last year.



Best of Friends - Joyce Martin-McCollough, Karen Peck-Gooch, and Sheri Easter




What do you get when you take three of the best loved voices in Southern Gospel and put them together on one album celebrating God, friendships, love, and more? The perfect album for your wife! This album is a once in a lifetime event that your wife will surely love! Better yet, buy her two so she can give one to her very own best friend!



Places to Go, People to See - Hoskins Family




The group that brought hit songs like "Safe Thus Far", "Written In Heaven" and "Hope" are back and sounding better than ever! Mixing country, black gospel, progressive, inspirational and traditional southern, this is an album your wife will surely fall in love with. Be sure and check out one of the hottest mixed groups in the industry today!

For your loving (and stubborn) husband:

Booth Brothers - Booth Brothers




One of the most celebrated trios in Southern Gospel today released another high energy album under the Spring Hill label this summer. If your husband's a fan of old Statler Brothers signature harmonies or even The Eagles, you can't go wrong with the infectious sounds of the Booth Brothers. For the patriotic at heart, be sure not to miss "Under God".



Men's Devotional Bible




Help your husband's procrastination by providing him a bible with the devotions planted right in them. Plus, if you go with the cool duo-tone leather look, it will burst his "hip-ness" level a few notches.



Roads That I've Traveled - Gerald Crabb




Singer/songwriter/evangelist and former head of the Crabb clan, Gerald Crabb is back on his own. Expressing songs he wrote or previously wrote in his own interpretations, your husband can have one of the most talked albums to hit Southern Gospel today. With guest appearances by Jason Crabb, Angie Hoskins, Mike Bowling, Michael English, and many more, you can't go wrong.

For that hard-to-please son (who doesn't happen to like Southern Gospel):

Every Young Man's Battle - Stephen Arterburn




Help your son by helping him guard his heart and mind the right way: through the Word of God and Biblical foundations. This is a must own for every teenage boy, and it can help ground them for a healthy life for years to come.



The Beautiful Letdown - Switchfoot




So you've raised your son in the ways of the wise: on Southern Gospel. But darn it if he refused to listen to anything but that dadblasted rock music. Well, give him a treat this year by giving him one of the hottest bands in the Christian market. The Beautiful Letdown resounds with songs of hope and admonishment for everyone to live life to their fullest. Plus, it will be worth it just to see the gleam in his eye when he sees you DIDN'T buy him the latest Inspirations CD instead.



WoW Worship (Yellow) - Various Artists




Nothing says I love you like "modern worship". Sure, it's not the stuff you were raised on, but at least he's trying to find stuff that praises God. The latest installment of the WoW Worship series offers more artist driven songs, and it features artists like Michael W. Smith, Joy Williams, Matt Redman, Darlene Zschech, and NewSong, to name a few.

For your caring (and moody) daughter:

Revolve New Testament




Revolve is a new concept by Thomas Nelson Publishers. It takes the New Testament, in the New Century Version, and gives it a look like a modern day fashion magazine. Teen girls are eating this up, as in addition to the New Testament, it also features helpful hints such as dating guidelines, beauty and health tips, devotional reading plans, and much much more.




Carry Away - Shane Barnard & Shane Everett




Another one gone the way of the world, or in other words, doesn't like your music. Shane Barnard & Shane Everett have a healthy mix of folk/acoustic sounds and praise and worship melodies. A hit with the college crowd, The Shanes are one of the hottest groups in Christian music today. It's spiritual food set to music.



Do You Think I'm Beautiful - Angela Thomas




Every young lady (and older women) deal with the inevitable: self image. This book takes the reader on a deeper journey to find the meaning of inner and outer beauty. It's a book every young lady needs to read.




Now I know what you're thinking. How in the world can I go and request that you buy your kids stuff that isn't Southern Gospel? Well, if you're dead set on buying something Southern for your kids, please do so cautiously…




Below are the perfect titles from groups that are just "hip" enough for your kids to enjoy:

Above It All - The Martins	The Walk - Crabb Family	Refuse to Be Afraid - LordSong
Free - The Ruppes	Let Go, Let God - Chosen Few	Hope's Call - Bright New Day

Remember, have fun this holiday season. It's all about making other's happy. Let's not forget that.

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