Gift Giving
It all started last weekend. I was out with two friends and one asked if I buy gifts for my kid’s specialist teachers (PE, Art, etc). I was forced to admit that I am not good at even buying my kids’ teachers gifts. I have done it at least once in the past, but have not for at least the past two years. She, on the other hand, bought gifts for her kids’ teachers, their specialists teachers, and even the after-care workers. I felt like a failure.
So I bought a small gift for each of my kids teachers. Something based purely on what my kids have said about their teachers. A hockey team ornament for Boomer’s teacher’s favorite team. And a ‘naturalist’ snowman for Supergirl’s teacher, because she LOVES nature.
I did not buy gifts for the specialists.
However, this did get me thinking.
One gift I have considered getting for the last few years is something for our mailman. I love our mailman! He always has a box of dog treats and our dogs truly look forward to his visit each day. That is something he doesn’t have to do. It’s not like he has to win them over because he must walk to our door. He drives by and drops our mail in the mailbox. The dogs can’t get near him. So the treat is just for them.
I have never bought gifts (or even a card) for the mailman, or any other service worker for that matter. I started this year by buying a box of dog treats for the mailman. Then I was thinking I wanted to get a small gift card for him, along with the garbage man. When I mentioned this to Daddy-O he gave me a hard time. He pointed out I forgot about the man who picks up our recycling. And he thought my gift card was too small… So he bought gift cards, bigger than I would have, but ones I am sure will be appreciated 
Supergirl and I went to work writing on Christmas cards, and getting all gifts prepared.
First for the mailman:
Then for the garbage man (I’m hoping that taping this to the lid of our trash can will be enough for him to notice it):
And finally for our ‘recycle guy.’ (The recycle bin has no lid so we had to make something a little more noticeable—I REALLY hope he sees it and doesn’t just throw it in the truck!!!)
Of course now my dilemma is leaving these cards out in the open. Mailman’s will be in the mailbox, but the other two must be noticeable in order for them to be seen. Hopefully, no evil person sees them and takes them. I hate that I even had that thought, but I did. Surely that will not happen.
I must say that this activity, more than all others, has put me in the Christmas spirit. Yay Christmas!!!
