Gifts We Save


It’s interesting to see what keepsakes are tucked away in the Christmas decoration boxes. I have a tree festooned with four generations of ornaments. It represents many of my family’s journeys and each ornament has a story.

But also tucked away in the holiday decorations is a gift I made for my parents when I was a six. 


In December of my first year of school, I made a green-painted Plaster of Paris candle holder. Mrs. MacArthur, my teacher, was incredibly patient. Over 25 children were simultaneously using gobs of messy plaster. I personally dumped the green paint on the floor when I knocked it off my desk. But Mrs. MacArthur only smiled and bent down to mop it up. I won't mention how much glitter I spilled as I sprinkled it over my teacher's careful glue design.


It was a top-secret mission—taking several weeks before it was crudely wrapped and on its way home for Christmas morning. I could hardly wait to have my parents open it.


Each Christmas thereafter, Mom would bring it out, put in a fresh red candle and light it for another season. 


After her death, I went through her things, and that candle holder was in her Christmas boxes. By then, it was over a quarter century old.




I have my own children’s hand-painted gifts and ornaments, so I understand why we save these things. It’s a way of preserving a precious season—when little hands and big hearts make gifts. It’s a time when little ones learn that it’s joyful to give as well as receive.  


So, we keep these treasures from season to season. Generation to generation. When we pull them out, we remember once again, and marvel at how a little gift could leave such a big imprint on our heart.


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