The Little Things

What makes a gift that you receive valuable? It could be solely the purchase price, though most people will also factor in other factors. The effort it took to find the gift. Something that has been handmade gains value from the effort that went into its construction. The usefulness of the gift can increase its perceived value.

There is a lot of thought that goes into the costs of gifts. It could be because you’re going to a white elephant exchange with a set amount to spend. Or your family has decided to place a limit on the price of gifts to avoid feelings of inequality. Even if there are no external restrictions, you still need to manage your own budget on how much you have available for each person.

Sometimes, though, it’s the little things that can have the biggest impact. After a family dinner a few weeks ago, my mom pulled out several pens that she’d gotten for free from a trade show. The others at the table excitedly grabbed for the different pens in order to try them out. A few minutes later, with three pieces of scratch paper and some scrawled signatures, everyone had a new pen.

Yesterday, my mom commented on how much she likes the new pen. It wasn’t expensive, it wasn’t picked specifically for her, it wasn’t hand-made, nor even wrapped. Yet the little things can add some fun to life. So as you are searching for your last minute presents this week, remember that it isn’t always the biggest gift that has the biggest impact.