A Tale of 2 Christmas Gifts

Hello Everyone.

Can you believe 2020 is racing to the finish line as we chat here today?

Thank goodness. Right?

Yes, I’ve been busy – like you – putting together a facsimile of a holiday season amid this COVID craziness.

As you probably experienced like I did – it wasn’t pretty and certainly wasn’t easy to do.

Being away from Family and Friends during this festive and fun month was, well, shall we say – slightly sad and desolate.

It goes without saying that our hearts are grateful. Grateful for the family members we can actually visit in person.

Unlike what some say… you can practice the Attitude of Gratitude while still being sad. It’s true because I’m living proof of that concept.

As I think about our Christmas celebration, I was struck with an idea that I wanted to share with you today.

It’s my personal opnion about gifting. And since this is the season of giving and receiving gifts, here’s my written thoughts about 2 very different presents I received on Christmas morning.

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There were 2 presents side-by-side under my tree….with my name on the tags.

One was sent to me from someone who had known (and loved?) me for decades. The item had been shipped directly from Amazon and was “wrapped” in the classic Amazon fabric-like blue (not holiday-esque) gift bag with a computer generated gift tag with the conventional greeting: Merry Christmas! No Name. The tag prominently displayed a complimentary barcode to track the gift.

The other gift was sent to me thousands of miles away from someone I have never met. Never spoken to. And it was placed in (sorta like) wooden box with a permanently attached red satin ribbon. The box itself is most certainly a keepsake. And the gift tag? Well, it was a beautifully worded note of seasonal greetings in lettering that resembled calligraphy.

Don’t get me wrong. I am all about Amazon. Half of my annual earnings probably go to pay for my purchases on Amazon & Whole Foods & Amazon Prime TV. I wholeheartedly support this retail institution.

Sooooo the distinction between the two gifts is not solely between the standard, generic Amazon bag (which we have ALL received dozens of times over the years) and the deliberately chosen souvenir box – no, it was the actual gifts themselves.

So what hit me between the eyes….on Christmas morning?

The gift from someone who knows me well chose a nondescript item. But as Marie Kondo taught me in 2019, I am suppose to thank the gift for the spirit in which it was given – not the actual gift. I did that. But believe me, I was still baffled. If you (or anyone for that matter) conducted a generic search on Amazon – “Christmas gift for old woman”, this item might appear as result of that search. I began to question how well my friend really knew me after decades of being friends. Infinite hours of sharing and caring and laughing and loving. Yes, that generic item puzzled me.

The gift from the couple from another continent was nothing short of glorious. It was charming and sophisticated and lovely in every way. It was as if this couple had peeked inside my soul and then searched for the perfect gift to speak to my heart. It was very personal and intimate. Very delicate (which explained the sturdy box and ample bubble wrap!). So carefully selected. And so carefully packaged so it would arrive safely under my tree on Christmas morning.

Please know, cost has NO bearing in my assessment. Both gifts were probably comparable in price….but definitely not equal in the true spirit of gift giving.

So why even share this with you? To be honest, I have exactly 2 reasons.

First, I needed to tell someone. I just did. You don’t mind, do you?

I’ve been at home – halfway isolated – during COVID for the past 10 months and just needed to therapeutically vent.

And secondly, I wanted to write about something near and dear to my heart….. the power and purpose of a present. During this gloomy, scary year we have experienced, a good gift is so much more meaningful.

So how do we (You and Me) give gifts that are significant and sincere?

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Let me give you the backstory. The couple’s absolutely delightful daughter has spent a week in my home. My son knows the family well. And my son told me they asked questions about my personality. Wanted to hear about my likes/dislikes. They never once asked if I’d like to receive this thing or that thing. They wanted to know what makes me happy. What I considered to be wonderful. What I treasure and cherish in life.

I’ll tell you what I cherish and treasure. Their gift. The time and effort they spent to select my Christmas present emanated from the box as soon as I opened it. The words in their notecard exuded kindness and caring.

To be completely honest here. That well-written notecard (sans the gracious gift) would have been a beautiful Christmas present in and of itself.

And after a year like 2020, a gift received which connected 2 families on 2 different continents half around the world is worth writing about. Don’t you think? I hope you think so, too.

Many gifts I received made my heart sing last Friday morning.

All gifts I received were welcomed. All gifts were thanked – per my guru, Marie Kondo’s instruction. But the tale of these two presents…..placed side-by-side under the tree, gave me the inspiration to write.

So thankful you stopped by to read today.

Let’s talk soon, shall we?

Happy New Year! So nice to be able to say that!