I love giving gifts. Seriously, I love it. I love shopping for something special, and I love it when I find something that I think the person will really enjoy. Especially if I can find it at a great price. Such was the case with a jacket I bought for my mother-in-law. I found a really cute jacket at Kohl’s, and after the major discount, they practically paid me to take it away (ok, not REALLY, but it was a sweet deal, especially if you looked at what they were originally charging for that jacket!). I would post a picture if I could find one, but since I’ve already given it away, I don’t know what it’s called. Anyway, it was in a pretty kind of a grapefruit color. Not really red, and not really orange or pink. Salmon? I guess you would call it salmon. And it had cute styling and brass buttons, and I just loved it. I actually tried it on, but I thought it would be nice for Ryan’s mom. However–it’s always risky buying clothes for someone else. Especially clothes on clearance that if they wanted to take it back, they would be aware of how little I spent on that gift. In this case, I don’t think the amount spent equals the gift. So, I was a little bit worried. What if she didn’t like it? What if it’s not her style? Not her color? Not her choice? Ugh. I almost didn’t give her that jacket. I decided just to risk it and give her the jacket, and if she didn’t like it I’d offer to return it (since I don’t really know where that receipt is) and get her something else.
I even gave her another small gift to kind of “lessen the blow” just in case she didn’t like the jacket.
Yesterday was our family party, with 40 people crammed into our house. It was crowded, but fun. When it was gift giving time, the grandparents handed out their gifts, and then we gave them ours. I wasn’t watching when my MIL opened the jacket. But soon enough, she was trying it on, and wore it over to where I was sitting, to thank me. It looked FABULOUS on her. Seriously, Fabulous. The color was amazing on her, and it looked great. She loved it and even said she would be wearing it to church tomorrow (which would be today). I don’t think she was just saying that to be nice. I think she really liked it. In fact, one of Ryan’s sisters said that if it didn’t fit her, they’d be happy to take it off her hands.
That made me happy. I LOVE to see someone really happy with a gift. It warms my heart. Maybe that’s why I love Christmas so much. Giving good gifts makes me happy.
***
I totally agree! Love finding the perfect gift. I had one of those this year – one of my good friends in the ward, I gave her the movie version of Follow the River. It was one of the first things she said to me when I moved here “you have to read this book, it will change your life” So when I found this movie I knew i had the perfect gift. And sure enough she called me after she opened it and was just dumbfounded that I’d found that movie and she loved it.
I want one. But you gave me a neat watch that I love, so I’ll be happy. just remember, when you find things like that, I’ll be happy to pay you the money if you will just pick it up for me– probably a size 12 now, or maybe a 10 if it is sized kind of large. And if it doesn’t fit or I don’t like it, I can take it back myself. i just really don’t get to Kohls very much. I found a store on 33rd and 13th, which isn’t too bad to drive to.