It is difficult in a day and age when so much is accessible at your fingertips to appreciate the thoughtfulness of a gift that was created by hand. A one-click world desensitizes us on the beauty of an individual sitting behind a desk or table, creating a gift, filled with thought, for the recipient to appreciate in the years to come.
Today, I want to share with you a gift I was given in 2005, that initially I scoffed at, but over the years, have developed a deep sense of appreciation. Trust me, there have been a few crappy gifts that I've gotten, which, I've learned to smile and be grateful. It was the thought after all, but sometimes you have to ask, what the hell were you thinking?
My first year as a marketing assistant at the Marriott, my boss, the Marketing Director gave each of us a homemade Christmas CD.
Yeah, pretty much.
My thoughts were, you are the marketing director. You have unlimited access to companies, promotional materials, sample products and more. All year, you could have easily ordered one sample item and put in the marketing closet. Instead, you give us a home made Christmas CD. We aren't dating. Why you giving me a mixtape? To make matters worse, it was basic.
This basic.
This is the one from 2006. The first CD, labeled Christmas 2005, was just as rudimentary.
I took it home and showed my husband, who immediately asked, is anything good on it?
Truthfully, I didn't know. I was too busy focusing on how cheap the man was and after all my hard work, why he didn't think i deserved an actual gift. Hell, an extra day off would have been cool with me. However, Hubby said something which made me pause. "You two are always talking music."
It was true. Although my boss and I saw eye to eye on many marketing strategies, a few matters and approaches to campaigns we agreed to disagree. When we reached an impasse, he would change the subject to music. Music is what we had in common, so I played the CD and guess what, I loved it.
That stupid CD is now part of my holiday traditions. At dinner time every year, I play the one he gave me as a present in 2006. At least that gift has the songs labeled.
It is hard to develop an appreciation for what others deem worthy to provide you as a gift. At what point do we cherish the idea of being thought of for another to take the time and make an effort.
Wherever you are Mr. DeSandy, thank you for the Christmas present. Over the years, I have really developed an appreciation for your annual gift.
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