It wasn't the necklace so much as the package itself that surprised me. It looked like the biggest but turned out to be the smallest under the tree. Ian had stashed the jewelry in a tiny box and then buried that box in a newspaper-stuffed carton that looked big enough to pack a recliner in. Wrapped in an old wool blanket, that package filled me with greater anticipation (and pleasure) than any present covered with fancy store-bought gift wrap could have.
In his ingenuity and thriftiness (a child's allowance can only go so far), my son had hit upon an important point when it comes to kids and gift giving. Even though practicality often calls for us parents to choose and pay for the gifts we give our friends and relatives, there's still plenty of room for our kids to get into the act. With a dab of paint, a scrap of felt or a bit of ribbon, they can turn anything from an envelope to a lunch bag into a stunning package that equals two presents in one.
Cindy A. Littlefield is a Senior Editor at FAMILYFUN.
