As I
ponder those “olden days, happy golden days of yore,” I seem to remember
Christmas lists that weren’t name brand specific, that did not include dollar
amounts or gift cards. We hunted for
particular objects that might excite our loved ones, didn’t settle for dollars
at their favorite store. Gift cards seem
like the lazy person’s guide to Christmas, and they erase the element of
mystery and surprise that I used to feel around the holidays. I admit to loving them for their ease and
swift satisfaction, especially when I’m shopping for fifteen teachers, four
coaches, and all of the garbage/recycling/paper delivery gentlemen. Didn’t our
parents have all of the same craziness? And yet they managed without resorting
to plastic cash.
I know
that many of yester-year’s gifts were misses that had us searching for the gift
receipt so we could make a return or exchange. Some were hideous and
receipt-less, which led us to the donation bin or the storage area, in hopes
that next year’s white elephant party would claim them. Yet, some risky gifts are the best ever; no
risk, no reward, right? My mom once scoured all of southern Michigan looking
for Cabbage Patch dolls for her five children, and I still remember that
present thirty-five years later.
These
elements of thoughtfulness and surprise are missing from the gift card
exchange. My son thinks he wants the money, but I know he wants a few surprises
under the tree – things that I choose for him that he didn’t even know he
wanted. It’s risky, potentially disappointing or even painful (when the whining
starts), but the upside makes a little risk bearable. Those golden days of yore
had a little something more, at least when it came to gift giving.
No comments:
Post a Comment