Giving is so much Better

I've always loved receiving gifts.
Who doesn't?
But nothing compares to giving.
I don't know if it's me getting older (dare I say more mature), or being a parent.

Nothing has come close to the joy I felt in giving gifts this year. I've always enjoyed giving gifts, but it is different now. Something is different.

I received many wonderful presents this year. (slippers, pj pants, new bedsheets, bamboo cutting board, a book, earrings, sweater...) The best thing, though, was being able to give our son a train table.

Now it wasn't something he needed. And it's by far more than we've ever spent on him. (with another boy on the way, we know it will wear it's value!) He doesn't know the difference. He's 2 and a half! But he knows joy. And the joy I felt watching him when he found his choo-choo table..It was overwhelming. We made him so happy! It was the one thing he asked Santa for. The one thing he consistently plays with.

It's the best gift I received. The ability to give something to someone, making them so incredibly happy. His expression of joy was just perfect.

Same for our other family members.
Giving my father a CD that will gain sentimental value.
Our niece a picture she will turn to in spiritual times as she grows older.
Just examples.
It's not as though we are awesome gift-givers. It's just that it is a great feeling to give to someone. It is so rewarding.

Just as it's rewarding to give money to the Salvation Army, or watch my toddler put money in their red bucket.

It's great to be able to say I grew up in a home where we were taught the joy of giving.
I hope as parents, we're passing on that same example to our son.