"More blessed to give..."

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Home : 2002 : May : 10

"More blessed to give..."
By Kathy Westermeyer

I think the maxim, "It's more blessed to give than receive" has some truth in teacher gifts. Particularly small children seem to derive real pleasure in giving their teacher a gift. And while I have received some very nice
and treasured gifts over the years, it is true that many of them simply collect dust.
Like you I have felt badly about money spent on items I can't use, but there is something special about a child giving something to his/her teacher. So perhaps it is money well spent.
What I have tried to do is model good gift-receiving manners. Making sure the child was there when I unwrapped

the present, finding something to admire, writing a thank you note. I want the child to know I appreciated their gesture--because I do.

I actually think I've become quite adept in showing the same amount of enthusiasm over a homemade candle-lighter (One of my presents this year which was a clothespin attached to a long stick with a box of matches attached!) as I did to the child who gave me a $100 gift certificate to my favorite book store. It's the thought that counts--and I actually think more effort was expended in the first gift than the second. (Though in reality the second was more useful--I almost started a fire when I tried to use the candle lighter!!)

I wish parents knew that I would far prefer a personal note of appreciation than a gift. But I have received many of those along the way. And as Shannon said, any kind of appreciation is nice!

I would be interested in what others have to say about this topic. And I might add another question: What about the ones who feel badly because they didn't get you a gift--how do you handle that???

In the meantime, I would have to agree with Shannon. Just accept the gifts with a gracious smile and thank you. (Whether you find them personally useful or not) Like runny noses, homework excuses, and stubbed toes, they comes with the territory.