Gifting: Cost does not determine value

A few years ago my dad’s side of the family decided they didn’t want to exchange gifts at Christmas any more. A few years before that we’d gone to an exchange system. Buying things for everyone and then waiting for everyone to open all of the gifts was just unwieldy, even if a group of 10 people. Further, none of us need much, and all of the kids were well into college.

A couple years ago my dad broke the rule and bought something for his sister. It was a very simple gift, but very thoughtful. He bought her an entire case of V-8.

Apparently she had, earlier in the year, mentioned how she wasn’t buying the beverage, finding it difficult to justify the cost. She’s on a fixed income, having been in an automobile accident 20 years ago that left her in constant pain and unable to work. For a lot of us, buying juice won’t seem very taxing on the budget, especially juice for one person. I can assure it wasn’t taxing on my father’s budget, even as much of a self-proclaimed tight-wad as he is.

Yet, it was a very meaningful investment. And yes, my dad was chided for breaking the family rules.