As the rest of the world has already entered the holiday season, the gift race can easily be spotted in all social media. Here we are in the midst of the annual Chanukkah celebration. That normally also means getting a gift or two, but still, doesn’t come close to what goes on at Christmas in most homes around the world.
In our family, the most important time for gift giving is at birthdays. My children are born 22 months apart and because of that small age difference between them, we have made it sort of a tradition that the child that doesn’t celebrate her or his birthday, also receives a small gift on the birthday of the other.
This year, as they are growing older, we talked about that it also would be nice if they gave each other a birthday gift. Something small that they but with their own funds or something that they make themselves.
Last week my daughter turned 9. Her younger brother asked that I went with him to the store. He spent quite a while walking around looking at things and debating with himself whether she would be happy receiving this or that. In the end he found her something for a craft that he knows that she enjoys and proudly paid with his own money, from his money jar, that he had brought with him.
It was really sweet to see how much he looked forward to her birthday and to giving her the gift. Seeing the excitement as she unpacked the gift and read his letter/ drawing seeing how happy she was with it.
So giving her that gift, I think that he also got one in return as he realized that giving to others can be just as great as getting something yourself. Doesn’t have to be very big or very expensive as I really do believe that it is the thought that counts!
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