Today was the Xmas party at work. My coworker, K, was in charge of it. She worked her tail off for it and it paid off for her. It was a great success.
They gave out those folding chairs that people drag to their kids soccer game and sweaters. All with the company logo, obviously. My sweater was too small, but one doesn’t mention that for a variety of reasons, not all of them related to my humiliation at being too big. I can’t be given a gift and then go – Not it’s not my size, is there a different one in that box? That’s rude.
We had Secret Santa. I got 2 bottles of alcohol in the MOST ADORABLE FUZZY SANTA BAGS. There was a little Santa cap on the top of the bottle. I was enchanted by those bags. I showed them to everyone. They were all enchanted.
Isn’t it funny how the small, inexpensive thing is the thing that is such a hit. For me the alcohol is nice, but those adorable Santa bottle bags were perfect. They came from the Dollar Tree. She spent $2 on bags that made me so happy. And $25 on alcohol that it was nice to get, but did not give me the smiles that those little bags did.
I remember 20 years ago I bought my nephews $5 plastic swords for Xmas. I didn’t think the gift would amount to much. Their parents and grandparents spent enormous money and huge effort to get the latest hottest thing for them. But in the end, they LOVED the swords and played with them the entire day and for years after.
I don’t know how I hit on those swords, anymore than my coworker knows how she hit the jackpot on an impulse buy for something that I didn’t ask for but would make the presentation more fun. Sometimes those inexpensive impulses are the best gift, however much you don’t expect it.
It's a Thought 
I know what you mean. Some of the best presents I’ve given (and received) have been the cheapest. One year we decided the whole gift giving thing had gotten out of hand and we decided that for the immediate family all gifts had to be either second hand, something we made ourselves, or bought from a thrift shop like St. Vinnies. That worked out beautifully because I think people put a lot more thought into what they bought, and really thinking of the person they were getting the gift for rather than just buying whatever the current fad was.
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That really is key. I think the emotional clicking of the gift is so important.
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That is a great limitation. It really does force more thought.
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I don’t think you can go wrong with swords for most little boys. Even my one sweet, introverted nephew dragged his new sword behind him while the other boys were stabbing each other and said, “It’s my plow, Auntie.” An excellent choice!
I want a Santa bag now, too.
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OMG. Those santa bags! 🙂
I think swords are a given for little boys. I didn’t know it at the time though. I love it when kids use their imaginations. I love that your nephew was turning swords in to plowshares. I wonder if he knew that phrase?
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He was 4 and super precocious, but I don’t think he knew that one.
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I’m pretty sure I would love those fuzzy Santa bags, too… 🙂 I love it when the little things click! It IS the little things! In case I don’t get another chance, I want to wish you a Happy and Peaceful Christmas. I truly enjoy reading your blog… it gives me peace, smiles, and the feeling that I am not alone with some of my struggles. Thank you for your words and sharing them.
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Thank you for saying so. 😊
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