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Christmas Gifts: It's The Thought That Counts


Gold Post Medal for All Time! 523 Posts

A Santa gift bag.How many times we've heard that old saying. Is it really true. I mean 'really'? When you've been dropping hints for the past three months you'd like to have a new BMW M4 for Christmas, only to wake up Christmas morning and find a Nissan Versa in the driveway with a big bow around it; is it really true?

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You tell yourself, 'It's the thought that counts'. You won't tell him that, you'll tell him you love it. But you keep telling yourself, 'It's the thought that counts'.

I was quite the Dandy in my day. Popular, smooth talker and dancer, hobnobbed with some very influential and well-heeled people. Along the way, I received some rather impressive Christmas gifts.

A one of a kind designer suede jacket. A three-carat diamond tie tack and several pieces of gold jewelry to name a few. But you know what? Our values change as we grow older. Material things seem to hold less and less importance. I gave all my jewelry away, and I felt better after I did. Now, I see all that gold as trappings, the means of a way to stand out in the crowd and to impress. Today, I'm just me. I don't have a need to impress anyone. Just take me as I am.

The day after Christmas, I called my sister. We talked for quite a while. During the conversation, she mentioned the gifts she had received. As she was talking, something occurred to me. I said,' You know what? This is the first year in my life that I didn't receive a Christmas gift, not even one'.

She said, 'Well, I got you something. It's just a matter of getting it up there to you'. Soon, the present was couriered to me. Was I ever surprised when I looked into the gift bag.

The first thing I pulled out was a long oil lamp wick, wrapped around a frame of sorts. I thought to myself, 'I have been burning oil lamps recently, for the first time in many years. How did she know? I didn't tell her.

As I read the label on the package, I realized wicks were not inside. What was inside was a contraption to help one get their socks on more easily. She had seen me at her home, struggling to get a shoelace tied. It was quite difficult to reach my feet. She saw and she remembered. She thought of my needs. Indeed, it is the thought that counts.

A contraption for putting on socks.

 
As I dug deeper, I saw a sampler filled with summer sausage, hard Christmas candy and different flavors of jellies, preserves and my favorite, orange marmalade. She knows I have a weak spot for sweets. She was thinking of me for sure when she picked out this sampler. Yes, it's the thought that counts.

A Christmas box with a selection of summer sausage, cheese and jams.

 

The bottom of the gift bag was lined with a layer of individual pies. Apple and lemon and blueberry and pecan. She knows I like fruit pies and thought I would like to have them. It is the thought that counts.

Assorted individual pies.

 

Wait a minute. What's this? I thought the bag was empty. Aha! A nice pair of gardening gloves. And with a rubberized coating, no less. Those thoughts that count really mounted up this Christmas!

Garden gloves.

 

As I looked at the pile of gifts before me, something happened, something not so commonplace these days. At age 74, a tear came to my eye.

The three carat diamond and the gold necklaces and bracelets never stirred up such emotion in me. The gifts before me now were not given to impress, rather, to share heartfelt warmth at this time of year. They, to me, were worth their weight in gold.

I wiped the little tear away and headed for the kitchen. Not only had the courier brought me a bag of gifts, she brought me food as well. I emptied the contents of the bowl into a pan and heated it. I sat at the table and thoroughly enjoyed the best chili I have ever tasted in my life.

Only later was I told the chili was made from venison. I had told my sister I didn't care for deer meat. But again, she was thinking of me when she sent that bowl of chili. She knew the chili was so good I had to like it. Guess she knows me pretty well. Something else she knows too; it truly is the thought that counts.

Thank you, Charlotte!

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January 17, 20182 found this helpful

IT makes me so happy to know that you appreciate my little tokens,s they are by most standers simple and maybe But they come straight my heart. Stay warm, Stay full and be happy.

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Anonymous
January 17, 20181 found this helpful

I enjoyed ready this so much.

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 969 Posts
January 21, 20180 found this helpful

I am sorry but I am confused. Was this a story or a real thing? Wanting a BMW whatever and getting another luxury car is not what most thrifty people consider, well, thrifty. Diamonds and ?? sounds a bit haughty.

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Sorry to be critical but I sent 16 cards this year, all with a hand written recipe for scented gels, a bookmark of whatever they collected, and a nice photo of me. Why? Because I could no longer make something and spend 10 times what it was worth just to send it.
I got 2 back. So yes, it's the thought that counts but even then, it's not always.

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 523 Posts
January 22, 20180 found this helpful

Sandi,

You did misunderstand. The imaginary person who wanted a BMW got a Versa, instead. The Versa is one of the, if not the, cheapest cars you can buy.

I lack writing skills. That might be why you misunderstood the rest of the article as well. I apologize. Perhaps you should just forget about the post.

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 969 Posts
January 24, 20180 found this helpful

Don't apologize. You didn't do anything wrong. I just thought the characters in the "car part of the story" were unrealistic in their requests.

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I volunteer at a food bank and during the holidays, it slays me all the ads about jewelry and cars. In 2012 we spent a billion dollars on two movies but we can't afford to feed our kids. I am just sick of all the waste. No disrespect intended. I look forward to your stories.

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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 145 Feedbacks
January 21, 20181 found this helpful

Sandy, my impression is that he once understood things from a different perspective, but with age and wisdom he has come to understand what really matters in life. Many people live their lives not having to worry about money and receiving more elaborate presents than others, and more expensive than most of us could ever imagine.

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But it seems he may have had a change of heart as his needs and values evolved. Maybe??

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Silver Post Medal for All Time! 418 Posts
January 22, 20181 found this helpful

Doug, I got what I wanted for Christmas. A clothes line!

 
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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 523 Posts
January 22, 20181 found this helpful

I see. I see. And when your body hits those fresh smelling, Sun dried clothes after a full day, you will think you're in paradise. Sweet dreams!

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January 24, 20180 found this helpful

It truly is a heart felt gift that means more than silver and gold . It was a gift from the heart .Thank you for making for making me smiling

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
January 24, 20180 found this helpful

I enjoy all the stories, too. In reality, we only remember a handful of the gifts we receive in our lifetime. The majority of the ones that are remembered are not because of their monetary value, but the way they made the receiver of the gift feel.

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Diamond Post Medal for All Time! 1,246 Posts
February 6, 20180 found this helpful

Beautiful write-up. I LOVE your writing skills. This story hit home with me because this year, I received quite a few thoughtful gifts rather than "blingy" gifts, as they say. My favourite in particular was my very first ever heart-shaped HOT WATER BOTTLE!!!

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It keeps me warm at night and when I wake up, I look at the heart and think of how thoughtful a gift it was to keep me comfortable as I get cold very easily. I feel loved.

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 523 Posts
February 7, 20180 found this helpful

Very nice gift!

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