It only cost one dollar.
Yet it quickly became one of her most cherished possessions.
Simply because it was a gift from the heart.
A generous spirit…
My oldest daughter is one of the most generous people I know. With a heart bent towards giving, she’s always looking for ways to bless others.
So, it was no surprise a few years ago when she came up with the idea of making Christmas gifts for each member of her extended family.
She spent weeks thinking up the perfect present for every aunt, uncle, cousin, and grandparent. And during our Christmas celebration with that side of the family, she handed out her gifts with pride.
She presented my mom a homemade ornament because she loves decorating for Christmas. My brother received a coveted candy bar from her stash of treats.
One of her cousins was given a hand-made necklace since she loves all things girly. Another young cousin got one of her old toys that was perfect for his age.
There was an owl bookmark. Received by one of my grandmothers because she loved to read and collected owl figurines. And a handful of other presents that brought a lot of smiles.
Our family was blessed by her generosity. But mostly they were amazed at the thoughtfulness behind her gifts. She’d given each person a truly meaningful present.
One special gift…
Perhaps the most appreciated gift was received by one of my grandmas. My daughter had struggled with an idea for this particular family member. She finally settled on giving her one dollar from her own spending jar.
This was a pretty generous gift for a six-year-old! The spending jar was precious…mostly containing money she’d earned from doing extra household tasks.
Her great-grandmother understood the meaning behind her present. And she treasured that dollar. Maybe more than any of the other gifts passed out that day.
So much in fact, that she was determined to make it count.
My grandma loved a good deal. She thoroughly enjoyed shopping garage sales and flea markets. Searching for a great bargain or hidden treasure was one of her favorite hobbies.
So not too long after Christmas, she set out with her dollar and a plan to spend it wisely. She never told me about this particular trip, but my mom did.
She said my grandmother painstakingly searched for the perfect way to spend her special gift. And her efforts paid off.
She found a colorful coffee cup with painted butterflies. My grandma loved coffee. And anything related to gardens. A butterfly-themed coffee cup was right up her alley.
And the price tag…exactly one dollar.
Read “A Simple Christmas“ for a powerful story on the best gift ever given.
A precious memory…
My grandma passed away a few years later.
A short time after the funeral, my mom was cleaning out her kitchen cabinets. She’s an only child, so the hard decisions of what to do with decades of possessions fell solely on her shoulders.
It was a difficult task. So much stuff. And even more memories.
And then, she came across the coffee cup.
The events of that Christmas and the shopping trip that followed came flooding back to her mind.
Deciding which of my grandmother’s belongings should be kept and what should be given away wasn’t easy. But she knew exactly what to do with the cup.
She wanted my daughter to have it. So, she packed it up and sent it my way.
Not too long after that, I reminded my daughter of the story about the coffee cup and what a meaningful gift it had been. Then I presented the cup to my daughter. I explained her grandma knew that her great-grandmother would want her to have it.
It was a special moment. My daughter beamed. And then promptly found the perfect place in the cabinet for her new treasure.
That was over a year ago. The cup still sits on that same shelf. And my daughter uses it quite often.
It’s a sweet reminder of her great-grandma. And a powerful illustration of the beauty found in simple gifts from the heart.
Want to know the best gift from the heart? Read “A Beautiful Example of Compassion.”
The best kind of gifts…
Finding the perfect present has never been easy for me. But my daughter’s generosity and my grandma’s response to it were an example I wouldn’t be quick to forget.
It’s proof the perfect present is rarely the biggest or most expensive. The gifts worth remembering aren’t always the most extravagant.
But there is one thing the best presents all have in common…they’re always gifts from the heart.
I’ve got to be honest. I’m not great at that kind of giving. I struggle to push past the superficial. Or to pass up a great deal when it’s not the right fit.
But my daughter taught me that it doesn’t have to be as complicated as I make it out to be.
Gifts from the heart come in all different shapes and sizes. They can be expensive or cost nothing. Extravagant or simple. Beautiful or plain.
But to the one on the receiving end, they’re always of great value. And perhaps even more importantly they make that person feel known and understood.
Since that first year of gift giving to her entire family, my daughter has kept up the tradition of presenting each person with a small but meaningful gift. And every year it’s one of the highlights of our holiday season.
My daughter may have a naturally generous spirit.
But we can all give gifts from the heart. Ones that are remembered and cherished.
Gifts that hold worth far beyond their price tag.
Even if they’re only bought with a one-dollar bill.
True gifts from the heart are always special. What is the best gift you’ve ever given or received? Please share in the comments below!
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