{"id":7577,"date":"2013-12-19T15:43:36","date_gmt":"2013-12-19T20:43:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/beginnersheart\/?p=7577"},"modified":"2013-12-19T15:43:36","modified_gmt":"2013-12-19T20:43:36","slug":"giving-really-is-more-fun-well-most-of-the-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/beginnersheart\/2013\/12\/giving-really-is-more-fun-well-most-of-the-time.html","title":{"rendered":"giving really IS more fun (well, most of the time…)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Christmas<\/a>This is our Christmas tree. And so far, I’ve wrapped all but maybe three of the gifts beneath it. By hand. With love & thoughts of each recipient. Because that’s how Aunt Bonnie taught me to do it. Along with toooo much Scotch tape (or so I’m told — but hey! Shouldn’t you tape every side??), mitred corners, and careful matching of wrap to person and ribbon to wrap.<\/p>\n

It’s part of the fun. IF you have time…<\/p>\n

I’m coming to believe that the reason most surveys show retirees as happier than any other demographic is because we have time. Not so much $$, but time to make up for it. This year, I learned to tie a variation on the famous Tiffany bow. Because the variation uses less ribbon, and I like nice ribbon. Which is… well, not cheap. \ud83d\ude42 I don’t do grosgrain any more, really — I like French ribbon, with wire edges, and old-fashioned hang tags that become part of the present.<\/p>\n

But again, I have this luxury. My beloved indulges me. And we do reuse the ribbon from year to year, plus I’m very good at hiding the original tag on a nice gift bag to use it again, as well!<\/p>\n

I know — you’re wondering: what the HECK does this have to do beginner’s heart? Much less Buddhism??<\/em><\/p>\n

If you were in one of my classes, I’d make you guess. \ud83d\ude09 Because the guesses are always sooo much more fun than my answers! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

We spent a lot of time finding gifts we hope our sons, DIL, nieces, nephews, sisters & brothers, will love. Or at least like! And the package is part of that. As is the smile and generous eye contact you make w\/ barista at your favourite coffee shop. Or the \u00e6sthetician who cuts your hair, does your nails. Or the nice trash guys who always take that extra box that didn’t fit in the recycle bin.<\/p>\n

It’s nice to tip — you should (servers and service personnel make ZIP base wages). But the smile — the recognition of the other person’s shared humanity? THAT’s the foil wrap and glitter ribbon. And THAT’s what is so much fun to give. As well as receive. (Although so is Tiffany’s!)<\/p>\n

Just sayin’ ~ \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This is our Christmas tree. And so far, I’ve wrapped all but maybe three of the gifts beneath it. By hand. With love & thoughts of each recipient. Because that’s how Aunt Bonnie taught me to do it. Along with toooo much Scotch tape (or so I’m told — but hey! Shouldn’t you tape every…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":398,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[701,243,617,438],"tags":[11,1181,1187,262,1244,1287],"class_list":["post-7577","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-celebrations","category-christmas","category-gifts","category-giving","tag-beginners-heart","tag-britton-gildersleeve","tag-buddhism","tag-buddhist-blogs","tag-christmas","tag-giving"],"yoast_head":"\ngiving really IS more fun (well, most of the time...) - Beginner's Heart<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"This is our Christmas tree. 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