The best holiday gift that money can’t buy is time.
Time to spend with your children, who will grow up and out all too soon.
Time to (try to) appreciate your (often irritating) spouse for being there through thick and thin, because who knows what tomorrow brings.
And time to love your parent(s), whose time on Earth is precious no matter what issues lie in the past.
Time to gaze out a window at a cardinal, to let the dog run in the snow, to freeze your fingers off putting up holiday lights and, all too soon, take them down again.
Time to breathe.
Time to do something special with someone close or for someone you just met.
The gift of time? Priceless.
— Laura Farr, Berwyn
Out of the mouths of babes
Thanks for the great idea to write about “priceless gifts.” I used the idea with my third graders and attached their letters to real boxes (beautifully decorated of course!) on our outside bulletin board! We had so many compliments! Following are a few:
* Olivia: My cousin Parker is so priceless to me because she cost no money. She is so chatty. I call her a chatter box. Her personality is so funny. Also very smart too. She can sing the ABCs and sing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” all by herself. I think that is so cute! Parker is so, so, so lovable; whenever she sees me, she waves her arms and starts to smile. I think Parker is the pricelessest present ever!
* Cate: My priceless present is Elle, my cat. Elle was so special because my mom would not buy a cat for my family. Mom let me get Elle because she was free! My Aunt Joellen picked me because I was the most responsible person there. I love my cat.
* Chase: My dad loves spending time with me. He loves fishing. We both love catching fish. My dad and me fishing is priceless.
* Ivey: The time I had movie night with my mom was a priceless gift. It was only mom and me. Ronan, my little brother, was going to sleep. My mom just announced it out of the blue. I didn’t even know it was coming. We don’t get to do it very often. She usually only lets me watch a movie on Fridays or Saturdays. But this was a Sunday.
* Julia: My family is priceless. I love them very much. They are priceless because they don’t pay to be with me. My family cares about me a lot. They are always there for me when I need it. I love the delicious food my family makes for me. My favorite food is my mom’s chicken nuggets. My family is amazing.
* Avery: My priceless present is when my dad played chess with me. When we played, we laughed the whole game. It was priceless because Dad spent his time with me. When we ended the game, it turned out I won! My dad is fair. My dad = priceless!
* Isabella: My mom and dad were sleeping. I woke up and I went downstairs. I got the eggs out; then I got the orange juice. It was just me. No one helped me. The eggs were done. It made me happy to make them breakfast. They were very surprised. They ate. That was the best priceless present I ever gave.
* Sam: My cousin gave me a pet dragonfly. I can’t believe that she spent hours catching it. I also can’t believe that she and her mom drove two hours just to give it to me; she had to feed it for a week. I can’t wait to show her how much it’s grown!
* Gavin: I like making coffee for my parents. I like doing it because they always give me compliments. I like to see them happy. I like to do it for fun!
— Cathie Marcoline Saia, Oak Grove School, Green Oaks
Acts of goodness
Inspired by the Tribune Voice of the People challenge for suggestions about what could be given for the holidays that costs nothing, I promptly recommended the giving of good, in whatever context one might find it. By way of example, I offer the following that took place a few days ago.
Stopping at a photo studio to pick up a DVD of my daughter’s wedding photos, ahead of me in line were an obviously proud 20-something couple with a baby in tow. I surmised they were there for a photo shoot. An opportunity for fun, I thought to myself.
After announcing their arrival, they stepped aside so I could transact my business. The office manager handed me the DVD. I then asked loudly enough for the couple to overhear, “Is there a ‘Most beautiful baby in the world competition today?'”
The dad blurted out, “Nicely played!”
The mom beamed.
And you know what? So did I.
— Ed Leighton, Chicago
Christmas spirit
Recent media reports about benevolent unidentified people paying off cash balances for unknown individuals’ layaway purchases (mostly Christmas toys for children) are a true testament to kindness, generosity and the American spirit of giving that seemingly proliferate during this festive holiday season.
The spirit of helping is even more significant as the U.S. remains fixated in the greatest economic malaise since the Great Depression of the 1930s.
We should give thanks for our numerous blessings, and pause momentarily and acknowledge those who shared their wealth with less financially affluent Americans in this most celebrated season wherein we honor Jesus’ birth.
— Ballard J. Powell, Chicago
Sharing a laugh
I’ve thought long and hard regarding your quest for the best holiday gift one could give or receive.
Peace on Earth? Ain’t gonna happen.
Aunt Nellie giving me a cool million? Ditto.
Cubs winning the World Series? Excuse me.
The best gift to me and from the genius who was behind it: Jonathon Brandmeier back on the air. Psychologists beware; you’re gonna lose a few customers. Laughter and brevity are the best gifts you can give or receive.
— Robert R. Wilson, Chicago
