When It Comes to Gifts, Thoughts Do Count. A Lot.

by Lois Flowers

We recently completed birthday season at our house. In the space of about two months, we celebrated four birthdays plus Christmas. (Which pretty much covers everyone around here.)

ring 1

There are times when I think it would have been nice to have a summer birthday or two. That money pit of a pool in our backyard sure would make the party-planning a lot easier, at least.

But alas. That is not how it happened. And I’m OK with that, because I really do like that Lilly’s birthday is one day before mine, and Molly’s is exactly one month ahead of Randy’s. (It’s the small things, folks, that bring joy to my heart.)

One of my two top love languages is gifts. It always has been, I think, even before I knew about Gary Chapman and his five ways people feel loved. I have fond memories of the brown shopping bag full of presents my mom would put on my dining room chair every year on my birthday. I don’t remember specific presents. I just remember it was a bag full of things she had purchased just for me.

As the sixth of seven children, it’s easy to feel overlooked even if you aren’t really. Those presents weren’t for anyone else; they were mine. And that made me feel loved.

My favorite kind of gift is not the most expensive. In fact, I’d rather someone didn’t spend a lot of money on me, especially if he or she could have gotten the thing on sale.

I don’t remember every single item anyone has ever given me, like Lilly does. But I have received a few gifts in recent history that stand out as especially meaningful.

One summer, we were up north visiting Randy’s parents. While there, we stopped by a souvenir shop at a popular tourist spot. There was a little display of costume jewelry rings up by the cash registers, as I recall. One ring, in particular, caught my eye. It was red and huge and sparkly, and I loved it.

For quite awhile, I vacillated between buying it and leaving it there, but finally my practical side won out and we left without it.

That Christmas, when I opened my gift from my inlaws, I was delighted to find that very same ring, nestled in a little box. Apparently, they had noticed my interest in the ring—maybe I had even showed it to them—and returned to the shop when I wasn’t looking to get it for me.

That, to me, is the perfect gift. It shows they were paying attention to me and what I liked. They noticed, and they did something about it.

The other gift that stands out in my mind as one of the all-time bests is a bouquet of roses that sits on the dresser in my bedroom. The flowers are made from tissue paper and floral wire, and they are beautiful to me.

During the Great Recession, Randy was laid off for about three months. He normally gives me a big bouquet of roses and several small presents for Valentine’s Day. This time, though, we didn’t know how long he would be without a job, so neither of us wanted him to spend a lot of money on things like roses.

Instead, totally unbeknownst to me, he scrounged around in the wrapping and craft supplies and came up with all the things he needed to make his own flowers. He spent hours in the basement, working on them. It took time, creativity and thought, the sum of which made it the best bouquet I’ve ever received.

They say it’s the thought that counts. Well, for me, the present counts too, but even more, the thoughts behind it.

That is the love language my heart hears best.

Lois Flowers

P.S. I’m linking up today with Jennifer Dukes Lee at #TellHisStory and Holley Gerth’s Coffee for Your Heart. Come join us for more encouragement.

Photo by Molly Flowers

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20 comments

Molly March 18, 2015 - 7:12 pm

I love looking at the flowers in your bedroom when I dust your room.

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Lois Flowers March 18, 2015 - 7:17 pm

I’m glad the flowers make you happy, too, sweet Molly!

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Sarah Donegan February 14, 2015 - 9:17 am

I totally agree! I prefer to give a gift I know someone is going to love and receive a gift someone has put thought into. And it usually is the little thing that means most. 🙂

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Lois Flowers February 14, 2015 - 11:24 am

Sarah, I hope your Valentine’s Day comes with some of those little things that mean so much!

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Ceil February 12, 2015 - 12:43 pm

Hi Lois! That story about your paper roses is so touching! What a love your husband is. And thank you for sharing the photo of the ring you liked so well. I am a ‘sparkle girl’ myself, so I can see why you liked it.

I have found recently that in hard times, I see how precious my husband is. Not too good at seeing that in the ordinary day-to-day, that’s what I have to work on.
Nice to meet you today 🙂
Ceil

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Lois Flowers February 12, 2015 - 3:10 pm

I need to work on that, too, Ceil. I appreciate your lovely words today!

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Candace February 12, 2015 - 9:01 am

Those tissue paper flowers have touched my heart today! I have a soft spot for homemade gifts from people I love. It really is the thought behind the present that makes it. That ring is beautiful and how sweet how they noticed you admiring it. I had to stare at it for a minute when I first opened this post :). Four birthdays to share with the Christmas season is a lot to take on. Impressive!

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Lois Flowers February 12, 2015 - 12:36 pm

Thank you, Candace! I love Christmas, but I have to admit that when all the celebrating is over, I’m more than ready for a nice quiet January!

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Lilly February 11, 2015 - 8:44 pm

I like your post on gifts. It really sheds light on how your actions and thoughts can go a long way. Love you mom! 🙂

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Lois Flowers February 12, 2015 - 6:26 am

Thanks, Lilly. Love you back!

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Ginger Harrington February 11, 2015 - 7:13 pm

Those love languages hit home, and I agree that the thought behind the gift makes it a treasure. Linking from Holley’s today. Blessings!

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Lois Flowers February 12, 2015 - 6:28 am

Glad to see you here, Ginger!

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Susan Shipe February 11, 2015 - 10:44 am

My love language is acts of service! I always tell my husband, don’t buy me anything just change the oil in my car! Good Valentine post. I’m your neighbor at Holley’s.

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Lois Flowers February 11, 2015 - 11:12 am

That’s awesome, Susan! I love how everyone feels loved differently. Thanks for stopping by!

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Anita Ojeda February 11, 2015 - 10:17 am

What wonderful gifts! One of my love languages is gift giving (and receiving)–but since I’m the only one in the family with that love language, it gets a little lonely at times ;).

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Lois Flowers February 11, 2015 - 11:09 am

I can see how that would be the case! Thank you for the gift of your comment!

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Claudine Flowers February 10, 2015 - 6:15 pm

Just as “gifts” are one of your love languages, “words” are mine. You truly blessed your mother-in-law today with your words. It was a double blessing. I’m happy to know that you loved the ring, and I’m happy to be reminded again of what a thoughtful and caring son I have. 🙂 (Great photography, Molly!)

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Lois Flowers February 10, 2015 - 6:31 pm

I’m glad you liked it, Claudine! (And I agree … you DO have a thoughtful and caring son!)

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Suzy Taylor Oakley February 10, 2015 - 6:27 am

Those are the sweetest gifts!

I got a gift similar to Randy’s flowers for my birthday in 2007, right after the Democrat-Gazette told us they couldn’t hold Bruce’s job open any longer (he was still in the middle of a long and tough Crohn’s flare-up). Here’s mine:

http://www.suzyandspice.com/2007/11/29/birthday-flowers

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Lois Flowers February 10, 2015 - 8:34 am

Tissue paper and straws … perfect! I love how these kinds of things can make the memory of tough times a little bit sweeter!

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