I’ve heard a lot of people comment that gift cards are “just so impersonal”! Last week I received one from the fourth grade class where I’m a ReadAloud volunteer on Thursday mornings.
It reminds me of when my grandma would slip five dollars into my birthday card. Mom urged me to buy “something special,” something that Grandma herself might buy if she lived closer. After the purchase, I wrote a thank-you note. (Remember those?) I not only said thank you, but I told Grandma specifically how I spent the money as well as the pleasure I received from my gift.
The first year I received a check for Christmas from my dad, I was a little disappointed. He had always been a thoughtful gift giver, and I enjoyed the presents he chose. As he slowed with age, though, it was easier for him to just send a check. He slipped in a note telling me to buy myself something special. So, I began a tradition of carefully choosing a gift I could imagine him buying. That year, I picked out a beautiful pair of gold earrings, and I placed the wrapped present under the tree with a tag that read, “To: Barb … From: Dad.”
On Christmas Eve, I “forgot” what the box contained and opened it with great anticipation. A few days later I sent a thank you note: “Dear Dad, I adore the beautiful gold hoop earrings you sent! I have been wearing them every day since I opened the gift. Thank you so much. I Love You! Barb.”
After his initial confusion over that first thank-you note, Dad came to look forward to finding out what he bought me for Christmas via the thank you notes. And, even now, more than 20 years later, when someone admires those earrings, I say, “Thank you. They were a Christmas gift from my dad.”
Yesterday I used the gift card from the students to buy two books. The thank-you note says, “Thank you so much for the Christmas gift card. Because I enjoy reading to you so much, I used it to buy two books for myself. One is a travel guide to the Big Island of Hawaii. I’m going there this summer, and I want to get the most from my trip by reading about it before I go. The second book is a journal I’m using to write all my ideas about–and wishes for–the trip. Please know I’ll be thinking of you all when I celebrate my 60th Birthday bicycling through Volcanoes National Park on August 14! Books help big dreams come true!! Thanks again for your magical gift. Keep Dreaming! Keep Reading! Love, Ms. Dallmann”
On the inside flap of the books, I have written: “Merry Christmas 2013 from Mrs. Burdette’s Fourth Grade Class at Overbrook Elementary.”
Impersonal? I think not!
Merry Christmas!
Making Memories
Coach Barbie Dallmann 
Barbie, You always inspire me with your blogs. Personally I love receiving a gift card when it is for a place someone knows I love [a favorite restaurant, bookstore, jewelry store]. However the added step of what YOU do, actually letting the person[s] exactly know how you use it, is delightful. Merry Christmas my friend!
You are baaaaack! Glad to read you are blogging again! This is a great take on a big dilemma. After all the phone calls and texts I’ve fielded from panicked family members over what to get each other, I was considering the following for next year: Everyone figure out how much they want to spend on family members for Christmas this year. Add 10% because we all overspend anyway and give all the money to me. I’ll divide it up equally between everyone and then we all must go out and buy ourselves gifts that we would love to receive. Like you and Dannie last year, we then wrap them, put tags on them and put them under the tree. When we are together, we can unwrap and reveal what everyone has given/received!
Best make a note to yourself right now, Kate, and place it for follow-up around November 1. Tell yourself in detail how you feel now … and then include a copy of the above. It’s a GREAT idea. Worth trying for ONE Christmas anyway!! Happy Holidays, my dearest twin. On to the volcanoes!