You really are the moment of truth.  Jan Calzon

The ideal gift is an act of love. Think about the word gift or present in all its aspects. A present can be a thing all wrapped up with a bow. We can use the same word to mean that I am present to you. I am present to you and your interests, instead of thinking about my needs or checking my text messages or watching the TV. That is the best gifts we give each other at this season -- to be truly present and to give the gift of time and attention. That could also take the form of a gift certificate for an activity that we will do together throughout the year.

As to quantity, Aristotle offers good advice when he advocates “Nothing in Excess”. Excess is harmful. It throws people out of balance. Children with too many gifts don’t truly enjoy any of them. They get overwhelmed and end up in tears, a frenzy, or rage. The best gift draws out the joy of the child’s own creativity. One of the best gifts we ever gave our daughter was a set of cardboard building bricks. She created a castle, a house, a post office, a stable, and many more things out of that one gift and she used them for years. In Home – Inspired by Love and Beauty, I examine this concept and its cousin – the Golden Mean.

We are happiest living at the midpoint between any extremes. In this case, excess is one extreme and stinginess is the other. Buy or make things of quality, of integrity, things that are useful and will last, things that engage the creativity of the receiver and carry your presence with it. That is a blessing and that is what gifts are intended to do.