I came to the conclusion today that part of the joy of giving is not just in watching someone open the gift. It is also in telling them the story of the gift. It’s the story of how my brother heard I didn’t have a Crock Pot with a timer on it, and he wondered how such a thing is possible, so he bought me a new Crock Pot. It’s the story of how my sisters couldn’t decide which Disney Princess cape to get for my daughter, but eventually decided on the blue one with white faux fur trim. It’s the story of how Michael really wanted to get me the black iDog, but he only found a single one in the entire city and it was white. And somehow, hearing the story of why the giver chose that particular gift, makes it that much more special. As much as I love gift cards, there just really can’t be a great story to go with a gift card.
You are so right. I love watching people open the gifts I give them (at least, the good gifts I bought) and I always have to say something about where and why I bought that particular gift! And I really love it when my kids tell me the story behind the gifts they give me – so sweet and thoughtful.
I agree with all except your last statement about gift cards. A friend of mine and I share a great love for bookstore gift cards and lament the fact that though we always ask for them they are rarely received. There is something very exciting about someone giving a gift card to a bookstore. You don’t have to rush out to read a gift book that they may have gotten you and you can savor and treasure it throughout the year. I know she will be super excited in a few weeks that instead of getting her books for her birthday (I just gave her 3 for Christmas), she will be getting a Border’s gift cert. that so that she can spend guilt-free ‘money’ on books throughout the year!
Years from now I will remember this as the year I was able to listen to “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” without crying. Gift with the best story? An email every day last week from Zach because he knew his mom would be having a tough time getting through the holidays without him.