Them that’s got shall get,
Them that’s not shall lose,
…
Billie Holiday (paraphrasing the Bible) hit the nail on the head, especially during this merry season of gift giving.
I’ve got a friend who is rolling in the dough. Roll. Ing. I wouldn’t say she and her husband are filthy rich, but at the very least they are incredibly grimy. Not that I discriminate against the loaded – they put their diamond-encrusted pants on one leg at a time just like the rest of us. In fact, I’m happy to have wealthy friends. As long as they aren’t cheapos, and remember to insist on picking up the check whenever we go out.
The problem is this: when buying gifts for someone who is well-off, I tend to mentally kick the limit up and over what I’d usually spend.
Take when this friend got married. My go-to, all-occasion special gift is pot holders (I know – who doesn’t love them?) But I found myself perusing her registry at a high-end department store and seriously considering a Mix Master. Those suckers cost $400! I don’t have one – my Mix Master is my arm with a wooden spoon at the end of it.
The same thing happened this Christmas. I caught myself looking at the more expensive baubles when shopping for Rich Friend than for Poor Friend and I had to stop and figure out why.
I think what it comes down to is pride. My pride. I was unconsciously afraid that my friend would find my gift inferior. That she who had so much material wealth would look down on what I had to offer and, hence, look down on me.
Didn’t I learn my lesson from the Little Drummer Boy? When I was a kid, a hitherto unknown Bible story about the nativity was discovered by those biblical scholars, Rankin & Bass. It turns out it wasn’t just barnyard animals and wise men in the stable with the Holy Family 2000 years ago. There was also a boy with a little drum and a big chip on his shoulder.
The lesson is clear. Whether grand or humble, gifts given from the heart are what are truly important. This is true for our real friends as it is true for God.
I haven’t been fair to any of my friends. Them’s that got don’t need more – but them’s that not, do. If a friend sneers at something given from the heart, then they’re not the kind of friend I need.
This Christmas, my gift to the baby Jesus is very humble; I’ll try to be kinder and more patient to those around me.
For everyone else on my Christmas list, including my rich friend? Excuse me, but I’ve got some pot holders to wrap.
God Bless us, everyone!
Peg-o-Leg's Ramblings 
Hey, I have the same ‘mix master’ as you! I agree, there is nothing more precious than a gift from the heart.The one my brother gave me is priceless.
I am also working on being more patient, loving and kind in my daily life. I think that’s a gift that keeps on giving. Merry Christmas to you, Pegolicious!
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I”M TYPING this on my tablet which i aBSolutely HATE! If you could hear the non-approprirate for this sacred season language eminating from my mouth as I try to edit and comment on this, you would realize that my humble gift about patience has already been returnd to the store for a full refund. Meh.
Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful family, Darlanta Claus!
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Yours is the grandest gift – the one from the heart!
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ISN”T THAT true? bUT gifts came come from the heart AND from the expensive jewelry store, right?
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My mom and I make cranberry jelly or other goodies together as gifts to give. It’s personal, doesn’t break the bank, the containers we use are nice too (reuseable!), and lots of love goes into each one. Like your pot holders, a warm little hug for those we love most.
Merry Christmas, Peg! Enjoy your holidays and time with friends and family. I’m in the process of catching up myself. It’s been a whirlwind of a month. I’ll be back!
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Shannon -0 how nice to see your smiling face again! Have a very Merry Christmas yourself!
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Good to see yours too. Hopefully, I’ll see a bit more of it in the upcoming days. Cheers…Happy New Year!
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Aw, I love it!
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I recognize someone here – oh yeah, me.
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MY SISTER AND I were discussing our tendency to want to impress people with money – it’s a trap we don’t want to fall into.
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Many years ago, I left a job to move to another company, and my (ex)-coworkers took one of those inspirational-quote calendars and replaced all the quotes with funny things that we’d actually said to each other. It’s one of the best presents I’ve ever received.
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THAT”S A TRULY WONDderuful gift, Laura. And that takes tons more effort than just buying something.
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Very nice, Pegomyheart! Guess you will be on the road tomorrow. We will be painting and making decisions about tile backsplash, what all to paint, and, oh yeah, get ready for Christmas!
Safe travels, see you Christmas Eve and at the wedding 🙂
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I CAN”T BELIEVE you are going ahead with some kitchen remodelling _ how exciting! cAN’T wait to hear all about it. See you Christmas Eve?
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Everyone needs more pot holders. Why, I myself was just searching for some the other day, because the ones I was using were full of guck. Pot holders are the answer. If not for the rich friend, then for her cook!
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I MUST ADMit i DON’T routinely give pot holders. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Merry Christmas!
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I don’t have one – my Mix Master is my arm with a wooden spoon at the end of it.
Tee-hee! Same here. I keep looking at all the contraptions they have at Target and thinking, “Maybe I should get one of those?” but so far I’ve gotten on just fine.
I love your conclusion about gifts, and am heartened by it this afternoon. Thank you.
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I THINK the afact that i HAVE A really small kitchen is the only thing that keeps me from over-contraptioning. (i Hate this tablet computer!)
Have a wonderful Christmas with your wonderful family, Deb.
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The more Christmases that go back the more I go back to what was important when I was little: it’s the thought that counts, and time is the greatest gift…or a book.
I have been disappointed a couple of times when I made something specifically for people (Secret Santa at work) and they just kinda looked annoyed and tossed it aside. But they were seriously into present competition for reflection of self worth – and valued different things than I…but they went to church a lot.
We used to joke we should get some Neiman Marcus labels and sew/glue onto junk for certain people – they drooled over that store.
Pot holders are just perfect.
May warmth and joy find your hearth and linger there long. Merry Merry!
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That is so true about the fancy labels for some people. And I totally know what you mean about the specifically made things. I already had that happen this year – I was really excited about a handmade gift and the recipient wasn’t rude, but it was a polite, no-biggie response.
Thank you for the kind wishes – right back atcha!
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Fun post, Peg. I’d love some pot holders! Merry Christmas to you.
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Thanks Elyse. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
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After I sent my comment to you, I remembered that there was a story on the Today show, I think when Prince Andrew and Fergie were married. Apparently 4 Americans got together and bought Andrew and Fergie a blender, because they were pretty sure nobody else had … it’s a story that stuck with me. What do you get the couple who has everything ….
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Ha ha – that’s great! There are bound to be times when they want smoothies and don’t want to make a big deal out of it.
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Right. Like maybe when Fergie was cheating on Andrew. I’m sure the blender came in handy THEN!
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I love this Peg! We started a tradition in our family many years ago, I love it because it taught all the children a great lesson…..charity and compassion. We set gift limits $$ then half went to gift purchase and the other half went to a big bucket and on to a charity of choice the children of the family selected that year. It use to be the entire family did this, all seven of my siblings, my parents and all the nieces and nephews once they reached the age of understanding (usually 12). I think each individual family unit continues the tradition now since my parents passed we don’t gather in one place any more.
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THAT”S A wonderful tradition> hOW NICE TO think it’s being continued by the next generation. Merry Christmas, Valentine!
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Your gift to us all is your entertaining blog, Peg. Well crafted words are a gift that keeps giving.
Now that we have that out of the way, I am one of those who is very impressed with very expensive material gifts. Go to: http://www.neimanmarcus.com/
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At least you’re honest. Merry Christmas Al!
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Great message. I bake bread for most people as my gift to them. No one bakes Challah like I bake Challah. It’s something that I can do. It’s from my heart and it’s always a treat that’s appreciated. Plus you don’t have to worry about where you’re going to put it after the holidays are over. You carry it with you! 😉
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OH< AIN"t that the truth _ i CARRY ITon my thighs. That's just the kind of gift I love, though. My brother-in-law always makes the best, yummy candy for all of us and it wouldn't be the same Christmas without that gift from the heart. Happy Holidays!
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Wait… you have… a wooden… spoon?! My mixin’ finger is SO jealous! 😉
Seriously, Peg… wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas! 🙂
🙂
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Whoa… what just happened here… these smilies are like rabbits…
🙂
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ONE OF them is winking at me! mERRY cHRIstmas to you and your family.
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I am all for gifting fine things in small quantities. Great chocolate, rich coffee (eat your heart out, Jean-Luc), yummy cookies, a good bottle of booze, a homemade anything. Anyone who doesn’t go for that can kiss my grits (and your potholders)!
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I”M with you. Happy day after Christmas Nggg!
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But the cat’s out of the bag now – you MAKE stuff. GOOD stuff. Now everyone will be all, “Did you make these potholders, Peggles?” And if you say “No” they’re going to think you don’t really love them. …I suppose you could tell the really rich people that you hired someone to make them, so it will be easier for them to understand.
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No potholders were created in the making of this post.
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