The most memorable gifts that I remember receiving:
- When each of my daughters were in first grade, they created a construction paper book all about themselves – their family, friends, favorite things and what they wanted to be when they grew up. These book are priceless to me now.
- The first Christmas that my husband and I were together as a married couple – he started getting me an ornament – last year I received the 25th ornament, which was a silver bell with our anniversary date on it. Although, I tease him each year on Christmas morning that I know I am getting an ornament – I really enjoyed this tradition. I now have my very own Christmas tree with just my ornaments on it — well, really I had to get my own tree because there was not enough room on the family tree for all of the girl’s ornaments and mine!!
- When my oldest daughter was in Kindergarten, she told my husband that she wanted to get me flowers for Christmas. So along with several red roses, she also picked out a small silk flower arrangement that I enjoyed for years. Now that she is grown, she loves flowers ~ I have come to appreciate her thought of that gift even more as I have watched her love of flowers. I have a photo of her handing me the flowers which is priceless!
- My middle daughter made me an embroidered piece of clothe that says “Mommy, My Special Friend”; she then put it in an inexpensive frame. She made this when she was in 5th grade. The humbling story of this gift is that she was working on in under her covers at night (when she should have been sleeping), and I was very upset with her which I let her know as only a frustrated Mom can. Imagine how I felt when I opened this gift and experienced her love even after she had experienced my anger.
- Last year, my daughters got me a basket of items for my hands – gloves, lotions, nail polish, a book and etc. It was beautifully decorated with a special comment about the work of my hands on each item. My youngest daughter wrote me a poem entitled My Mother’s Hands that she framed. It sits on my bed headboard and still makes me cry when I read it. The thought and work that the girls put into this gift will always be treasured (of course, I have kept all of the tags in the basket which also sits beside my bed).
- My Dad and Mom always give special gifts; they spend so much time picking out just the right thing and then wrapping it in beautiful paper with matching bows that the wrapped gift itself is memorable. I don’t want to open their gifts because they are so picture perfect. I enjoy several English tea pots that they have gotten me – displaying them and serving tea from them always makes me think of their special care in giving and presenting me with something special.
- I love books – fiction, biographies, non-fiction, Bible studies — my books become my friends and often I can reference peroids in my life to the book I was reading at that time. I have received books from my daughters (who also have my love of reading) relatives and friends. Each book holds such potential to reach an part of me that often even I don’t understand.
As I was thinking through what I would put on this list – I did not think of many of the material items that the stores are screaming for us to buy right now. Although, I enjoy receiving new clothes and accessories — in a few years I will be packing them up and sending them to the Salvation Army. Practical gifts such as blenders, skillets and silverware (yes, I have received all of these) are useful — but they don’t provide a personal touch that speaks to me that I am loved and valued.
The most memorable gifts to me are the visual reminders that help me remember that my greatest treasures are my faith, my family and how God has been faithful to me. I do love gifts – receiving and giving – receiving Gifts is my strongest “Love Language“. But I have come to learn that it is not the number of gifts under the tree that means the most to me – but the fact that those that love me valued me enough to take the time to think about what I would enjoy and then take the time to get it for me. Whether it is a precious first grade book, or an expensive jewelry armour (another gift from my husband, that I enjoy every day) – it is the reminder that I am loved and valued by the giver that means the most.
Of course, I would not be able to even recognize these memorable gifts without the realization of the gift of GRACE that Jesus gave me and you through salvation. His coming as a baby to be the Savior of the world and of me — May I always be able to recognize and remember that God sent His son to save me because He loved and valued me so much.
“For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” … Ephesians 2:8
Personal note to husband – Jewelry is always a good choice and it helps me remember you!!!! XXOO
Fun fun!! Wish that I could send you fresh flowers every day!! Love you lots and hope that you are having a good day!
Alycia
[…] gift my daughters got me several years ago (you can read about that gift in a 2007 post titled Memorable Gifts or at A Mother’s Paycheck […]