Sunday Night With John: The Art Of Gift Giving
/Nobody likes socks as a gift is the old cliche, but there are people out there into socks. If you get them the right pair, it might be the best gift they will get all season. As we enter the season of exchanging gifts I always reflect back to what makes a good gift. Great gifts have a way of capturing the moment and creating excitement. The best gifts always have a personal touch where the gift receiver has to admit the gift giver knows them on an intimate level. Whether it is a gift that brings tears of joy or laughter, we give gifts to show our love, care, and happiness with our most cherished people. As I begin to finish my shopping for the season, I always use the inspiration from the 6 best gifts I have ever received from my loved ones.
I was in 5th grade and was in love with basketball and particularly the Charlotte Hornets. I pick up the phone and over heard my mom tell something on the other end that she and my dad have purchased 10 tickets for the family and one friend of my choice to go to see my favorite NBA team. I wasn’t supposed to know until Christmas morning but that didn’t dampen the excitement of knowing I was going to see my favorite team. My love for basketball and NBA grew because of this great gift.
A non-chirstmas gift but a great gift on it’s own right. My brother called and said he purchased me a ticket to attend a Notre Dame Fighting Irish home football game. I have loved Notre Dame football since the early 90’s and getting a weekend with my brother and Notre Dame football was amazing.
Two years ago my wife conspired behind my back to get everyone from my family and her family to pitch in money for one big giant Christmas gift. I was surprised on Christmas morning with a brand new bike perched on top of her. We face timed with my family in Ohio so they could be a part for the wonderful reveal. Presentation always matters. Every time I saddle up for a bike ride I get to think about my wife and everyone I love coming together for one great big gift.
It doesn’t always have to be big and extravagant gift to be great. My good friend Kyle handed me a copy of my favorite bloggers recent book, The Book of Basketball. There was no wrapping and no special bow, he said that wasn’t him and he figured I would want to start reading it as soon as I got it. He might have also said I really got it for myself but I knew you would steal the second you saw it lying around. Just knowing people get you makes you feel all good inside.
Last year, I knew what I was getting from my wife and she knew what I was getting her. We wanted to add a puppy to our family. We picked him out in November and received him a week before Christmas. Marv, our golden doodle, has added so much to our lives. Sometimes you can know a great gift is coming but it still tugs at your heart when you receive it.
Finally, the last time my mom moved, she handed me Dad’s chess set. She said I knew you loved playing chess with your dad and handed me the old beaten up set. I spent one father’s day cleaning and polishing it to bring it back to life. I will get to teach my kids how to play chess on the same set I learned on and I can’t wait.
As you move through this gift giving season and future opportunities to pass along your love in a beautifully wrapped gift, remember, you can’t go wrong putting your heart and soul into a gift. Enjoy the holiday season and thanks for reading.