Letters to the President #1068: 'Two shopping days until Christmas'

Reporter's Note: I am rushing around tending to last minute Christmas items, and yet I have found time to write yet another letter to the White House. “Oh joy!’ the president said as he opened the mail.

Dear Mr. President,

There never seems to be enough time. No matter how I try to get ahead in this whole Christmas shopping game, I always find myself bearing down on a foamed runway, closing my eyes, and hoping for the best. The big items are hard enough to deal with, but when you start chasing down all the little stuff, the clock just flies away from you.

Ribbons, tape, paper, cards, candles, candy, nuts, and on and on and on. Collecting all those items seems to take forever.

And yet, those details often make all the difference. Many times I’ve had a gift to wrap that is…well, let’s just say, pedestrian. It’s nothing exciting. Another pair of gloves or a sweater. (Not to say gloves and sweaters can’t be nice! But you know, sometimes they are just what they are…and not particularly interesting or inspiring.) However, with some proper attention to the right paper; some clean, elegant cutting and folding; and nice ribbonry, voila…the ordinary can be transformed into something quite special.

Kind of falls in line with that whole, “it’s not the gift, it’s the thought” notion. (Btw, I should mention that is a fine notion for adults, but for anyone under 10, forget it; in all such cases, it is the gift that counts. Hands down. Get that wrong at your own peril.)

So even though tending to all these details will nibble the next couple of days away like Christmas piranhas (note to self: GIFT IDEA for irritating neighbor with the fish tank), I will happily embrace them.

After all, anyone can just go out and buy a gift. It takes an extra measure to give your time and attention to making it something special.

Hope all is well. Call if you can.

Regards,
Tom