As we enter the season for Christmas and Hanukkah, many of our thoughts turn to gifts (what to get others, what do we want). One of my favorite things was when my family did the $5 gift exchange – everybody got everyone else a small gift costing no more than $5. Sometimes people would make gifts, sometimes they would get everyone the same gift – it really didn’t matter too much. What mattered was that we each took the time to think about each other.
As a gift giver, I liked this approach better than drawing names and giving “larger” gifts, because it was easier to find something small that someone might like than a more impressive gift that they might already have or might not want.
I also liked it as a gift recipient, because I tend to actually use and enjoy the smaller gifts on a day to day basis. I still think of Joe & Dawn every time I use the fruit colander they gave us (probably 15 years ago). I think of Andy and Alli every time I use the big blue bowl they gave us with popcorn and a movie card. I think of Eddie and Carmen when we use our tiny trash can to play “Pass the Trash.” I think of Jim & DeLinda when we use our head-mounted flashlight. I treasure the jewelry bag that Katie made for me, and use it every time I travel. I think of Steve when I enjoy our expanded pond and waterfall. And on and on……
This is the season of giving, but maybe we should think about why we give presents. And when we enjoy the presents that we are given, we can enjoy thinking about the people who gave them to us.
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