I have often said “Thank you” for a gift I would never choose for myself, knowing that the person giving it to me thought I would like it.
I have received books I already have, clothes that are so not my style, food items I am allergic to, and so many mugs and pairs of socks from my nieces, nephews, siblings and friends that I cannot count. And the truth is, I loved every one. I truly love some of those socks. They are warm and colorful. (Like me). Luckily, I break enough pottery by accident that the mugs have a welcome spot. (I love coffee). Having two or even three copies of a book allows me to lend them out without anxiety. Book lovers can relate to that. I think of the giver with a warm feeling when I see these things.
Sometimes I wonder what that thought was. I once got a lovely piece of fine jewelry in a box (a tiny diamond ring) of plastic cockroaches. I once opened the biggest present inner the tree, from my beloved husband, and it was a steel trashcan. Upon first glance at these gifts, I’ll admit I was confused and even disappointed.
But, after working on finding the thought behind each one, the jewelry was from my father when I was thirteen. He was trying to make me laugh. The trash can was in response to my son’s beloved dog’s constant raiding of our kitchen trash. This metal can had a lid and saved me from a lot of work cleaning up after the dog. The thought was there.
I am counting on that grace for my gifts this year. I have been making my sister a blanket in Fiber Arts. It’s my first crochet project. It’s huge. It’s warm. It’s pretty. And it is a giant trapezoid. It’s the thought that counts.