A Gift That's Not Really a Gift?

This holiday season is going to be no nonsense! I'm offering my Christmas or Three Kings' Day gift list with what I want, need and haven't found the time to get. "That’s not a real gift," my husband said when I offered him my wishlist. For him, a gift is something special, sincere and well thought-out I feel the same way and aside from experiences as a gift I also like practical gifts.

My list consists of lenses for my glasses. Not a new pair of sunglasses but new lenses to replace the scratched ones because I want to fix them. After telling me "that’s not a real gift” Bombón said he'd buy them for me I just had to place the order. That’s the core of the matter! I love the gift idea, but I want him to do the work. The gift is not the new lens is calling, ordering, yadda yadda yadda and then surprising me with it. Is it too much to ask?

I don't think the idea of gifting a chore, a task or a gift card is a bad one. You're taking the weight off the shoulders and letting them enjoy the moment guilt-free because it's a gift. But Bombón still doesn’t agree.

I stand firm in my gift card gifting and remember that one of my most celebrated was from 7-Eleven. The lucky recipient had told me about how he went every day after work to have a smoke and a Slurpee. So, like the gingerbread man, I went as fast as I could to give him that special card he could carelessly use. Winning!

Some laughs and maybe a gift. Photo by Eugene Taylor.

This year some lucky family members will receive some paid gasoline, a subscription to Netflix or Spotify, and a gift certificate from a donuts shop.

What makes a gift special? It's the thought that counts; having your heart in the right place. A gift card doesn't mean you couldn't find anything better. To the contrary, it's having put your mind and heart into it and knowing that you'll bring a smile to that special someone.
How do you feel about the gifts that are not "a real gift"?

Side dish: "Do It" by Rae Morris.