Gifts In Ugly Wrapping Paper Are Still Gifts
Time to celebrate peace in the Middle East
When I used to subscribe to printed newspapers, I would store the old papers in my garage so that when Chanukah rolled around, I could save a few trees and wrap presents for my kids. I’m not gonna lie, the stack of gifts didn’t look as nice as when I used the expensive colorful paper Target sells each year. The stock market listings, weather forecasts, and latest political spats just didn’t charm my kids’ liking for red, blue, silver, and green patterns.
Local interest stories had nothing on snowman, nutcracker, and dreidel art. I think a part of me was trying to subliminally teach my kids about intelligently reusing our resources, but for six-, eight-, and ten-year-olds, nothing beat the beautiful designs, bows and sparkles.
Still, when my kids finally opened their gifts, which I allowed them to do one at a time for each night of Chanukah, they weren’t disappointed with what was inside. Their eyes returned to gleam, and smiles filled their thankful faces. Hugs and kisses always ensued, and still do even in their teen years now. A newspaper-wrapped Xbox was, it turns out, still an Xbox. A business section–enshrined watch was still a watch. An article on global warming encasing a pair of Nikes didn’t change the coolness of the shoes.
