Gift Giving… the Best or a Guess?

What a pretty present!

Dear Reader:

Aren’t some people ” gifted” when it comes to Christmas gift giving? I took a photo of this beautiful present Dee and Mike gave me after church Sunday because of the wrapping-so envious of people who turn presents into works of art.

Dee surprised me by confessing that Mike is the ” wrapper” in the family. ( And Dee I confess I didn’t open it yesterday because it looks so pretty under the tree and fills in a gap on the table so beautifully! But before I finish this post I will …since you hinted the present might also include something that involved the grandchildren.)

Gift giving began with the three wise men and modern day readers, for many years, have debated the choices made for the newborn king. Jokingly most young mothers agree Mary needed pampers, more pampers and a gift certificate to Babies R Us. Certainly more practical gifts.

Wise Men Come Bearing Gifts

But Quinn Caldwell stands up for the wise men-after all…isn’t it helpful if you know the person you are giving a gift to and a little bit about their background? They are relying on a star and information handed down with few directions or descriptions.

” The poor wise men had no idea who they were going to see. Their only birth announcement was a star in the sky. So they thought they were off to visit a regular king, not a Jesus kind of king. They thought they were shopping for the baby who not only had everything but had servants to bring it to him too. So they brought nice gifts, just not exactly appropriate ones.

If you were shopping for God, would you go to Target or Tiffany’s? Is the baby exalted or humble? Lord of the universe or charity case next door? And what do you get for a God who’s both?

Look what Dee and Mike gave me for the grandchildren? Don’t you love it?

Wonder if there are tiger cookie cutters?

So until tomorrow…God, I know you love any gift from a generous heart… so I can just going to do the best I can! And I will be sure to include a gift receipt! Amen.

But that wasn’t all-Dee and Mike never forget Sammy the Cardinal-next year I will plan a ” Sammy” Christmas party and set a full table filled with Sammies.

Today is my favorite day! Winnie the Pooh

Mandy volunteered to decorate the school float this year at James B Edwards’s school since it is Eva Cate’s last year and what a terrific job she did! Go girls!
Winnie and I dressed in black and white!

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
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4 Responses to Gift Giving… the Best or a Guess?

  1. Beverly Dufford says:

    Love the pictures of your beautiful family!! That was such a thoughtful gift your friends gave you. I love Sammy too. I have a cardinal which comes in my backyard so often. I kind of like thinking about the story that often goes with cardinals, so I call my cardinal, Joe. Nothing speaks love like nature. God gave us the most precious gift of all when He gave His Son, a true gift of Love. John 3: 16 However, nature is a constant reminder of how he wants us to be happy and feel loved each day with all the beauty and wonders around us. Part of feeling loved is the gift of friendship. Thank you for giving us, your readers such a great gift each day, a gift from the heart which reminds us that you are giving a precious gift of your time and talent. Thanks!

  2. Rachel Edwards says:

    Sweet picture of your precious girls…love the Santa cookie plate…too cute.

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