Searching for just the right gift for someone?
Here's a bit of advice from one of my best friends: "The best gifts are treasures and experiences," she says.
I like that gift-giving plan.
I've received gifts that hit the mark more than the giver ever guessed they might. The signs of a gift that is adored?
Laughter, hugs, tears in the eyes.
And the best clue for the other kind?
The very slowly unfolding laugh trying to mask the thought, "Hmmm…what can I say? Is there any way I'll use this???"
The rule in our family is that if the giftee really won't use the gift, they can – without hard feelings – return it. We hope not to need to use the rule, but on occasion, it comes into play.
And kids, if you want to know the gift that will warm your parents' heart more than you might ever guess, it's still the one…no matter what age you are…that you made yourself.
Perhaps, as parents, we should remember that advice, as well.
Finally, there's the gift of shared, attentive time (which means, of course, time that's Blackberry, phone and Twitter-free).
It's always a wonderful gift.
