Gifts

I've been fortunate to receive many deeply meaningful gifts throughout my life; the unconditional love of my parents; the Shirley Temple doll I yearned for as a 6 year old; the purple pansy quilted bedspread that I yearned for as a 10 year old; parental support for attending the college of my choice, even though it was more than we could afford; the enduring love of my husband;  the photo my sons had taken of the two of them as a gift for me, though they hated having their pictures taken.  There have been many more, but these few examples serve to display the range of what I consider "gifts" - these have all been tokens of love, deep affection, respect.....tangible things that represented people's feelings and their awareness of what was important to me.     

I hope that through the years I have also given my share of such meaningful gifts.

What then, is this advertising blitz about Black Friday gift purchases, and how does it square with those gifts that still reverberate in my memory, many years after I've received them, or given them? I value gifts given from the heart, so my heart is heavy that increasingly we have forgotten that meaning and replaced it all to often with obligatory giving of presents - prettily wrapped - but given with little thought or sacrifice.     

Call me Scrooge if you will; I'll gladly do without the mad rush to purchase more than we can afford, wrapped in expensive paper and ribbons which will be tossed in the trash the next day.  I'll trade them in a heartbeat for the hand-knit imperfect scarf, or the day spent baking and chatting with a friend in preparation for the holidays.  Let the economy deal with my refusal to buy beyond my means and pay for months to come - let's take back the meaning of the term "gift" as defined by someone in Wikipedia as: "anything that makes the other happier or less sad, especially as a favor, including forgiveness and kindness."