The Things Money Can’t Buy
Each holiday season since starting The Silver Pen, I’ve done a Gift Giving Guide. I love giving gifts because I see it as an opportunity to think about someone intently and to pick out something that he or she would enjoy.
This year, however, my email box was so inundated by “Gift Giving Guides” that I found myself a little demotivated by all of the things. Many of these guides did the opposite of what they intended to do – inspire gift purchases – and instead cluttered my head and made me feel utterly overwhelmed and materialistic. So, this year, I chose not to do a Gift Giving Guide because I didn’t want you to feel the same way that I did.
This in addition to the fact that on the two occasions that Suddenly Seven met with Santa, when asked what she wanted, she said, “A happy and healthy family.” When Santa(s) prodded her by asking, “What do you want me to bring you? Any toys?” she simply said, “You have the power to make my family healthy, don’t you?” Go ahead and try to imagine the look on Santa(s) face! Seriously.
Now that’s not to say that I haven’t found some great gifts for my family and friends, because I have. In fact, I’m super excited for Christmas to arrive and for the unwrapping to begin. There will be some joyous expressions on my family’s faces, which is always a Silver Lining.
The truth of the matter is that this season has made me introspective (thank you Suddenly Seven!) and helped me think about and appreciate all of the immaterial things that money can’t buy and are more important than anything that can be found under the tree.
Wishing you a peaceful, beautiful, happy and HEALTHY Christmas and New Year!
Thank you! I, too, am "over it" in terms of buying just to buy this year. I love giving, as well as getting, a well thought-out gift. But I am tiring of being told what to buy people and also being asked outright for a list. You always have the best message in your posts!
Thanks so much, Jennie! Merry Christmas!
Thank you Hollye, such a great reminder. I am going to share it with my kids. Merry Christmas!! Thank you for your daily inspiration. Have a wonderful holiday!
Jennifer
Absolutely, Jennifer! Merry Christmas to you, too!
Hollye
J'ajouterais la santé aux choses que l'argent ne peut pas acheter, comme l'a si bien demandé Suddenly Seven!
Joyeux Noel !
Eh bien, dit Mme Wolfe, si je fais crédit "acheter" la chimiothérapie comme contribuant à ma santé. Joyeux Noël! 🙂
Excellent, beautiful post, Miss Hollye! And, oh, my gosh, what a special little girl you have in Suddenly Seven, bless her heart. Would have loved to see the Santas' faces! She must have been a wonderful, refreshing change for them. Just a thought, The Things Money Can't Buy would make a most wonderful poster! Wishing you and yours a healthy, peaceful, joyous (I love that word) very Merry Christmas and 2014!
Thank you so much, E.B. The looks on the Santa's faces were priceless. The same wishes to you, E.B. I hope that we (finally!) get to meet on the book tour!