Last year’s Christmas was awesome, and I was a little worried going into this year that it wouldn’t live up, especially given the way much of 2009 has gone. But it was a great Christmas with exciting gifts big and small, and everywhere in between. But my favorite gift was the most unexpected, most thoughtful and probably the least expensive.
My sister made a 10 minute picture and video montage of Madeline and Max set to music and filled with visual effects. She gave it to us on Christmas Eve, and I’ve probably watched it 1o times already. That is a gift that will truly last forever. I got an extra copy for each kid because I know they’ll want them someday, even if DVD’s are no longer a common format. The kids and Ryan love it too. It’s almost as fun to sit back and watch the kids laugh at pictures of themselves, and each other. Hopefully someday they will realize the time and effort that went into making the video.
My favorite gifts have always been ones that show thought. My freshman year of college one of my best high school friends made me a video (on VHS, how times have changed!) of our high school years, also set to music, but with slightly less sophisticated special effects. I was floored by that gift as well. To know that you (or your kids) are important enough to others that they would take the time to create such a unique and thoughtful gift is humbling.
Especially in these economic times, it’s a good reminder that the important things in life, the ones that will last, don’t come with a price tag attached. And that’s a good thing, because, as Mastercard would say, they’re priceless.
However, even with all that said, the family’s other most talked about gift is a trip to Florida, which I realize is not free. And I’m definitely appreciative and excited for that trip as well!
