It’s always amazing to see Christmas through the eyes of a child. While the holiday is fun and exciting for adults, there’s something magical about Christmas to a young one.
For adults, Christmas too often can seem like a series of chores – shopping, wrapping, delivering, cooking. But to a child, Christmas is all wonder. Think about it – you make a list, wait a week or two, go to sleep and wake up to find your dreams have come true.
Like I said – magical.
There’s also something magical when a child learns that Christmas isn’t just about receiving, it’s about giving, too. Whether it’s through helping at their church, donating to the needy or just assisting their parents with holiday chores, it brings a special meaning to the holidays when they learn to help others.
That’s not always easy, of course. In our household, Sutton is still learning the lesson about being more of a blessing to give than receive. She loves to shop but is often distracted from her gift buying by something she thinks she’d like to have for herself. And, when she does purchase something for someone else, her first inclination is to tell the person what she bought.
The element of surprise doesn’t exist in her world.
That was the situation recently when she purchased gifts for her dad, brother and myself at a Santa Shop at my nephew’s school. The Santa Shop allows kids to purchase items and have them wrapped, giving many children their first taste of shopping for others.
Sutton purchased three items. They were put into decorated plastic bags and she brought them home with her that afternoon.
“Mom!,” she said excitedly. “Open your bracelet.”
So much for my surprise. I explained to her that I preferred to open my presents Christmas day. She didn’t like the idea but was finally convinced to hold off. She then went on to tell me what she got others.
It turns out she purchased her brother a magnet in the shape of a soccer ball. It says “World’s Best Brother.” Not sure the significance of the soccer ball, unless there is an understood assumption that boys like soccer.
For her dad, she purchased a coffee cup. It, too, is decorated with a soccer motif and says “World’s Best Dad.”
Recognize a theme here?
And my bracelet? Well, I don’t know. I’m waiting until Christmas to open it. However, I will bet you a dollar it’s decorated with soccer balls and is for the World’s Best Mom.
Or at least I hope it is.