Diane Shapiro shares her process for giving gifts during the holidays.
It’s December — which means it’s the month of gifts! We give them, we receive them, we shop for them, and sometimes we stress about them. My kids are in their teens and twenties now. And with this comes a shift in how I think about gift giving. Gone are the days of toys and stuffed animals.
Now it’s all about snowboard gear, dishes for new houses, and tech gadgets. Last week, as I was wrapping gifts well ahead of the holiday I was thinking about why I so eagerly participate in the ritual of gift giving year over year.
Does having holiday spirit mean that I must spend money? The TV, radio, and internet all lure me into the commercialism of the month. I request wish lists from the kids, buy toys for the dog who cannot be left out of the fun, and make sure to get at least one thing for a husband who’s not particularly drawn to material things. It’s a lot of work! But, a lot of fun, too.
Over the years, I’ve developed a reputation with my family for being a champion gift-giver. I watch them closely and observe what makes them happy. I spend hours thinking about what would bring them joy. I search for items that will be useful, and also reusable. It’s a lot of energy to expend with cleaning house, my work, and everything else that life requires. Why do I do it?