Ah, Christmas, that wonderful time of year when brightly-wrapped gifts under the twinkling tree contain treasures untold - like a reindeer sweater with a light-up nose or a gift certificate to a store whose clothes you haven’t fit into since junior high.

“I saw this and immediately thought of you,” the gift-giver beams, while you’re wondering what it is you’ve said or done to make them think that a video bass fishing game would be high on your holiday list.

I’ve tried to make gift giving easier on my family by giving them specific ideas. Last year, for example, I told my husband that I really wanted a gift certificate to Office Max.

“I’m not giving you that,” he said.

I explained that it was a perfect present considering my office supply addiction, but he wasn’t going for it. “It’s too impersonal.”

“OK, then, why don’t you get me a plastic file crate, and fill it with stuff. I could use some manila folders and Pendaflex files, paper clips and staples, and I really need a new highlighter, and some toner for my printer ...”

“I’m not giving you office supplies for Christmas,” he said, and that was his final answer. Fortunately he passed my gift certificate request along to his brother. In January, when I was out of both printer toner and money, I was thankful someone had finally listened to me.

The good thing about my mother is that she really wants to give gifts you'll like. If you give her an idea, she’ll find a creative way to make your wish come true. But if you don’t, you’re likely to find something like Flarp Noise-Making Goop under the tree, which admittedly is great fun in the moment but maybe not the pinnacle of your holiday experience.

Last year, I told her I really wanted family pictures. My mother has suitcases and boxes under her bed filled with photos of my sister and I as kids, of my dead relatives, and of family events long forgotten.

“That’s all?” she said. “Old pictures?” I could sense her disappointment. That idea wouldn’t leave much room for creativity on her next Big Lots shopping spree. Yes, I assured her. I wanted pictures.

She shrugged her shoulders and said, “OK. If that’s what really you want.”

On Christmas Eve, she handed me two wooden boxes decorated with snowmen (proving that Big Lots has something for everyone on your gift list). They were filled with family photos.

“Awesome!” I said, pulling out picture after picture and handing them to my husband and daughter. “Look at this. When I was seven or eight, I dressed up like Carol Burnett for Halloween. Look at how young my dad looks in this picture. Wow, is this Grandma? Thanks, Mom. This was the perfect gift.” And I meant it.

I suppose that it’s probably time to make a gift list for this Christmas, but there isn’t really anything I need. I already have more stuff than I know what to do with and I’m actually all set for office supplies.

Besides, Christmas is about more than just what’s under the tree. It’s remembering that the perfect gift arrived more than 2,000 years ago on a starry night in Bethlehem, and was given again 33 years later on a wooden cross on Calvary.

When it comes to presents, everything else pretty much pales in comparison.


(c) 2005 Joanne Brokaw All rights reserved

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