|
To be honest, I don't recall if I've mentioned this before. But I'll claim advancing age and take a chance that I might be repeating myself. Anyway.
It started a few years ago, when the youngest of the kids started college. As an extended family of more-or-less adults we decided to make a change to our holiday shopping practices. Our new "rules" limit the cost of gifts to under $5, and all must be purchased from thrift shops. Although Salvation Army, ARC and Goodwill stores also get our business, we try to shop those stores that benefit local efforts. We usually find items that will give the recipients a smile, some bring raucous laughter. Who knew that a 92 year old in-law would be thrilled with a sweatshirt captioned "Wild thing, you make my heart sing"...or that a somewhat staid businesswoman would prize a chicken-shaped cookie jar? And we've found a few that have evoked memories that got us talking for hours, remembering other people, other years, other places.
Since we began this practice some tiny new people have come into the family, and we all have permission to spoil them rotten. But we alleged adults have come to anticipate with some measure of glee the prospect of unwrapping our thrift-shop gifts. And after the laughter and smiles, we often re-donate the items so the shops can again benefit.
For me, personally, the greatest thing is watching Mom once again enjoy shopping for her "babies." She just loves calling me in July to tell me, "You won't believe what you're getting for Christmas! Hahahahahaha...."
Priceless.
|