Please post your thoughts and comment on at least one other. Thanks!
This time of year we hear a lot about gifts. No matter the holiday, it seems there is some sort of gift giving involved. Companies and stores seem to think they know what great gifts are-just turn on the television and watch the bombardment of commercials about why the latest gadgets are the greatest ever invented. I know my four year old thinks he knows what the greatest gifts are-a paw patroller for him and a race car for Mom. (Now that does sound like a lot of fun!) But seriously, what are the greatest gifts? Maybe you've received something in the past for a birthday or a holiday that really stood out to you. Maybe you're planning to give someone something this year that you're really excited about. What is it about gifts that makes us want them and also inspires us to give them? What is it behind all these gifts, anyway?
Please post your thoughts and comment on at least one other. Thanks!
60 Comments
Sydney Linkiewicz
12/15/2015 08:55:48 am
Gifts are very powerful. By giving a gift to someone you show that you really care about that person. A special gift that I gave was last year I made a paper box and it was filled with nothing. I t was special because it meant that the box didn't have to have something in it to show that I cared about them. I gave this to my parents because I really care about them. They do so much for me and I wanted to take the time to give them this present to say, that I truly am thankful for them.
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Kayla Sturgeon
12/15/2015 10:10:16 pm
I think the gift of nothing is a great idea!
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Alec McVearry
12/17/2015 01:35:13 pm
Yes, it is fun. I did it last year in Mr. Starowicz's class, and it was great!
Will Quackenbush
12/18/2015 01:14:15 pm
I agree!!! Just like the book!!!
Everlasting
12/21/2015 08:51:39 am
I agree that gifts are powerful.
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Gabe
12/21/2015 04:12:30 pm
I also did it last year! Alec you were in my class!
jackson thomas
12/15/2015 09:00:55 am
Something that stood out to me in the past is when as a family we got another dog for the family christmas present. I think you want gifts because you get so excited thinking about what you are going to get. Also I think you get inspired to give gifts because when they open it up you get to see the look on there face. Thats what I think about giving and reciving gifts is about.
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Marshall Withers
12/15/2015 09:04:21 am
I think there are a lot of reasons why we want gifts so bad. Like I think it is because the weeks before the actual presents because we are waiting for that one day when we get them. That makes me want to give because if they took the time to get me something then I should also take the time to give to someone who cared. Behind all of these gifts it shows how family and friends care about one another.
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Everlasting
12/21/2015 08:52:58 am
This is true that it shows people care about you for getting gifts.
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Marshall Withers
12/15/2015 09:06:43 am
I agree with Mrs. Simons on how the race car was a good idea but sometimes the homemade gifts are good too like she said.
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Keeley Riley
12/18/2015 01:04:03 pm
I also agree
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Khani C.
12/15/2015 03:51:51 pm
I agree with Syd, I also think gifts are a way to show how you care about someone. The best gift I've ever gotten was a few years ago when my parents surprised me with the Kanani American Girl Doll of the year. I didn't expect it at all. The greatest gift I've given to my parents on their anniversary was when I sang then a song. I gave them that gift about 5 years ago.
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Skyler C
12/21/2015 09:20:28 am
Oh yeah, I never really thought of that, but yea I agree.
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Kayla Sturgeon
12/15/2015 10:09:34 pm
I think gifts are very meaningful. A gift can show how much you care about the person. Not just about the cost, but about how much thought you put into it. I think people get excited because waiting can make people anxious. I also think people get excited before giving gifts because they want to see their reaction. I think gifts can be a great idea to show how much you care by how much thought you put into the gift.
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Everlasting
12/21/2015 08:54:12 am
I agree, it makes you happy about how much thought and time they put into it.
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noah marino
12/16/2015 09:15:31 am
Something that stood out to me in the past was when my mom and dad told us we are going on a disney cruse for a family christmas present. I think we want presents because you get excited to see what people get you and if they got you what you wanted. People around the world get inspired to give presents because you want to see the joy on their faces. That is what I think giving and receiving presents is about.
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Marcus
12/17/2015 09:12:12 am
I agree with you Noah I do like to see the joy on peoples faces when I give them a gift.
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Jonathan
12/17/2015 01:36:11 pm
I agree to Noah, one of the greatest things on earth is to see a face full of joy.
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Stephen Oliva
12/16/2015 09:47:59 am
We want gifts because it is something that could mean a lot to you and you give gifts because you want someone to feel happy or special. Once my dad gave me a dog tag that was my grandpa's and my grandpa isn't here anymore so it meant a lot to me and it made me feel good that he chose me to keep the tags. One time I gave my friend something that was part of an inside joke and I gave it to them because I knew they wanted it and I knew it would make them happy that they got it.
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NATEDAWG!
12/20/2015 09:20:19 pm
I think that is pretty cool. That is a very personal and meaningful gift that nobody else has. Maybe you could pass the dog tags down to your own son or daughter, as a tradition.
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dominick
1/5/2016 09:22:57 am
That had to been the best gift to them!
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Tyler Aitken
12/16/2015 01:43:38 pm
I think that the best gifts are not the ones that cost the most, or that the most people want, or even the ones that you want the most. The best gifts are the ones that you get the most out of. For example, one year a wanted a baseball/football throwing target a lot. As it turns out, I've used it no more than 50 times in my life. To put that in perspective, I've had it for more than 5 years. The best present I have ever gotten was one that I didn't even know I wanted: a basketball rack from my parents. Not only did it carry basketballs, it showed that my parents knew that I cared about basketball.
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Amin A.
12/16/2015 08:24:58 pm
Gifts come in all shapes and sizes. They can be a gift card or a new bike. But here's the thing. Family nowadays give things from the heart because they expect us to be thankful and most of the time we are. But here's the thing. Kids nowadays ( most of the time the little kids) don't understand the value of gifts. Some kids aren't happy if they get a bike because they wanted something else, or some other little kid gets a gift card and wastes it and won't be thankful. Some parents and adults give out gifts cards worth 25-100 dollars to give their kids or their kids friends. Parents using their earned money to buy a gift card and yet kids (again mostly our little 3-5 year olds but again their still learning ) (and again not all of them and it's not always are little ones) think of it as a piece of paper. Gifts cards are a piece of valuable "plastic" that can be used to buy ANYTHING most times. So it be better because then kids could buy something specific. Now moving on from that, spoiled brats get cranky if they get something that's the wrong color or size. Say some parents buy a bike that's worth 250-500 dollars, and that kid gets mad because it's red and he wanted green. He gets mad but his parents won't return it because they paid a lot so the kid won't use it. Now go to set of parents number 2. They have a nice kid and they have a decent salary but here's the catch. Their kid wants that same bike the other kid has, but he can't ride one, and even if he did 200/500 is a little too much for that family, and they don't like buying a whole lot of stuff that they think might not be used, and the kid who's the SAME AGE at age 7 like the other kid understands and doesn't get mad he can't have the bike while the first kid in my example gets mad over a color. Now on to my closing thought: When I get gifts I'm thankful for it and I'm always thinking on what I can do for others. The end
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Amin
12/16/2015 08:29:28 pm
To: Marshall
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Marcus
12/17/2015 09:10:59 am
A great way to show appreciation is to give a gift. One gift that I got that showed appreciation was when my dad got me a sword. It made me feel good because It showed that he was proud of me. One reason I think people give gifts is to show that they care for people. When you give someone a gift you are saying I care for you so much I took the time and money to buy you a gift.
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Asian N
12/17/2015 11:56:21 am
I think the best gifts aren't the biggest and most expensive ones that your parents get just to make you happy I think the little ones that come from the heart like a bead necklace that your younger brother our cousin made or little ceramic pot that your daughter our son made just for you are the rest becuse they sent the time that they had not on electronics rotting their brains out but making that pot or necklace just for you to show how much they care about you and want to see you happy (If that makes sense).
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Jonathan
12/17/2015 01:34:07 pm
For me, the greatest gift I can be given, is the presence of those around me. Without them, my life would be boring. Their presence shows me that they care, that they love my. Life wouldn't be fun without the people around me, and I wouldn't be who I am now.
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Julian G.
12/21/2015 08:53:18 am
That is very true, Jboy. Family and friends mean a lot to me, too.
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Alec McVearry
12/17/2015 01:52:16 pm
The greatest gifts are the ones people give you from their heart - not their wallet. Many "cool" gifts are expensive, but the gifts that matter most are the ones that the giver spent time on and really thought about. Once when I was younger me and my sister put on a puppet show for my mother as a gift for Mother's Day. Of course, it didn't really cost anything at all, but it was my mother's favorite gift anyway. I try to appreciate all gifts, even ones that weren't on my wish list. Instead of all getting gifts that I know I will get, I leave room for surprises - my favorite type of gift. Actually, one of the things on my gift list is any gift, as long as it is a surprise! Sadly, many people, sometimes children our age, do not appreciate the value of these gifts. For example, a young boy complaining because instead of getting that bike he really really wanted, he got a set of handmade toy soldiers from his father. It doesn't have to be a child either - sometimes even adults aren't satisfied. The fact of the matter is, every gift counts, no matter whoever it is from, how expensive it is, or if it's not what you wanted. That is what I at the very least try to do.
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Grace
12/18/2015 09:00:41 pm
I totally agree with Alec. Every gift is perfect no matter what, such as the gift of time which most people did last year. The puppet show that Alec put on for his Mom was her favorite gift because it was from the heart and cost nothing.
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Douglass
12/17/2015 06:51:30 pm
Gifts are important because they show that you are thinking about the person you give it to. Gifts are also important because they make people happy. The greatest gifts are the gifts that you make yourself because you spent time on making it which shows that you care.
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Thomas Allport
12/23/2015 09:10:11 am
I agree gifts are important because they show you are thinking about the person you give it to.
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Anna Tian
12/18/2015 08:40:07 am
I think all gift are good no matter how big or small.If someone give you a gift that you don't like you should say a thank you. It is more kind when you do that.
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Andi
12/18/2015 01:35:06 pm
I agree with you Anna. All gifts are great. It doesn't matter how big or small a gift is. It is also polite to say thank you when someone gives you a gift. No matter how much you like it or how much you don't like it.
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Ryanne K
12/21/2015 01:37:13 pm
True, even if you don't like the gift thank them because really it's the thought that counts.
Ryan Collins
12/18/2015 09:22:22 am
Gifts are very powerful. Many people take getting gifts for granted and the truth is the real gift is the thought. I have received and given many gifts in the past but the ones that stood out to me weren't necessarily the more expensive ones. The feeling of giving a gift is better than receiving one. Think about all the gifts you've gotten. Now think about all the gifts you have given. I'm going to guess you have received more. Now think about the feelings you get when you open a gift and when you see someone open the gift you gave them. Most people would say giving a gift makes them feel better. The truth behind gifts is that the thought is what counts.
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Tarek
12/20/2015 07:43:37 pm
I agree, giving gifts make you feel better than receiving ones.
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kara
12/18/2015 09:52:04 am
This year my holiday, well my dads holiday, already passed. My dad celebrates Hannukkah and my mom celebrates Christmas so i consider both holidays mine. What i got for my family they liked a lot. I dont want to bore you with the list of girts i got everybody but i would like to say its a nice tradition for the whole family to sit around the tree or channukkia opening presents and saying "thank you" with hugs and kisses.
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Will Quackenbush
12/18/2015 01:13:44 pm
I think that the gift of nothing is good. The thought is want counts and if you don't like that, then give a gift that is from your heart.
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Grace
12/18/2015 08:49:14 pm
Gifts are taken for granted all the time. People usually want the gift because all their friends have it and they want to have to newest thing. When someone gives you a gift they give it because it makes you happy and makes themselves feel good.The best gifts I have gotten haven't always been the latest and greatest thing yet something that came from their heart like the gift of time. More expensive doesn't always mean the best because the thought is more important.
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Andi
12/19/2015 03:27:16 pm
I think that it's fun to receive gifts, but it's also nice to give a gift. Maybe we want gifts so badly because of what surprise awaits for in a box or something. This year for Christmas, I have this one gift that I've wanted to give to someone for so long, it is a custom made black belt. It's not just a plain solid colored black belt, it has writing, that's in Japanese, and it says his name on it. Also, I'm giving it to him because, since he doesn't have enough money to buy one of his own, he works hard everyday at my karate place and certainly deserves one.
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Madi Ancone
12/20/2015 07:25:10 pm
I think that we all want and enjoy gifts so much because it's something new that we get to have and it's fun surprise when you are opening them. I think that people like to give gifts because it makes them feel good. It makes them feel good to know that they have made someone else happy and that they are grateful for someone from them.
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Tarek
12/20/2015 07:41:35 pm
Gifts are meant to show someone that is close to you how much you care for them. Usually gifts are exchanged people that are close to each other, you wouldn't give a gift to your archenemy. You would give a gift to someone that you love. Also, you give different gifts to different types of people, if your brother really liked basketball, you would give them basketball shoes or socks. But if they like soccer it wouldn't make sense to do that. Lastly, the reason why gifts are so appealing is because they are free. It's like someone is handing you a product that you don't have to pay for. For example, if you really wanted this pricey video game, but your parents say it costs to much, then you can rely on one of your family members getting you one for your birthday, which your parents don't have to pay for. It's a win win! Gifts are one of the few things that excite people these days
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NATEDAWG!
12/20/2015 09:07:52 pm
When we receive a gift, we feel joy because we like to feel that people are thinking about us. When we give a gift to people, we want them to feel the same feeling. I think advertising is a big infuence. They make a toy look so fun, you just want to grab it. But, when you actually get it, it looks poorly made. Moral of the story, happiness is the only gift you need!
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Francesca Chirco
12/20/2015 10:43:52 pm
Gifts are the biggest things around this time of the year. I think the best gifts are gifts made by yourself or gifts that have meaning. Gifts of the best clothes, shoes and or toys are fun but the gifts that you will remember forever are the ones that had thought and meaning behind it. I am not saying that it's not fun to get the other things but I the end the best gifts that have meaning, the gifts that people put time into to make great. Every year my godmother gets me an ornaments on Christmas. Last year she got an ornament and had got it with my name inscribed into it. That extra step she took to put my name in it meant a lot to me and makes me remember it more than if she got me any random ornament. I do not have any gifts yet to give although maybe I will make something before Christmas to give to someone special. I think that gifts are given to let you know that they are thinking of you and you mean a lot to them that they are going out of their way to either buy it for you or make something for you. They are here to do something nice, to make someone feel good. Maybe even to enjoy something with someone else. We give gifts because we believe is the right thing to do. We think you have to do it, but really it's because we want to, we want to take extra step to be nice to people to make their day. we want to see the smile on someone's face when they open up her present we want to see the smile on someone's face when they open up her present. it not only makes them happy, but makes us feel good about ourselves. It not only makes them happy, but makes us feel good too. We want gifts because when we get that excitement of new things and it makes us happy and excited.
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Elizabeth
12/21/2015 07:11:32 am
Gifts can be very powerful. People use them to show they care. Sometimes though, the best gifts aren't expensive or the ones that you use just to show you care. At a certain level, it's just nice to know that someone understands you.
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Everlasting Bornfreedom
12/21/2015 08:50:57 am
Gifts show that you care for someone else. Gifts make people happy and have more fun.When I get a gift I am happy and like to use my gift right away. I like it when i get someone a gift and they say thank you and are smiling.
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Julian G.
12/21/2015 08:51:08 am
The most important gift is the gift of time. My family and I serve dinner or breakfast to the Homeless Men's Shelter in Syracuse 3-5 times a year. As a matter of fact, we just served them dinner on Friday. To the men, this is a wonderful gift. Some of them even say, "God Bless". I can tell that they are so very happy that we take some time out of our day to serve them. To me, that is one of the most important gifts in life.
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Skyler C
12/21/2015 09:18:43 am
I know that some people are like the best gift is an apple watch or something like that but really the best gift is the holidays and birthdays and an event where everybody is together. I say this because you are typically happy at special events unless you are like the scrooge or something. In sixth grade we did the gift of nothing where we would give someone some time to hang out with yourself and the other person then write about it. Honestly, I hated it. I didn't like it because you were forced to hang out with someone instead of letting it happen naturally. Also, we had to write about it which I think just ruined it more.The gift of holidays are the gift that keeps people true to themselves
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toniann pink
12/21/2015 10:32:42 am
The best gift I ever gotten was the gift of life. Because life is a precious so you have to treasure it as much as you can
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Xavier Plourde
12/21/2015 01:30:58 pm
I think that the best gift to give someone is something that you think is perfect for them. For example, if your parents love crosswords and rubik's cubes, the perfect gift for them would be one of those new rubik's cubes that have a crossword puzzle on them!
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Ryanne K
12/21/2015 01:35:49 pm
The thing about gifts that make everyone want them is that by receiving a gift it shows that someone cares about you. And if someone cares about you a lot you might get a better gift that makes you look forward it. But really should we be caring about theses gifts so much? No. The best gift you can ever ask for is time with all your loved ones because in the end time is the most precious thing in the world and that makes it the best gift of all.
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kayla green
12/21/2015 01:38:24 pm
the greatest gift i ever got was my dog Uno i love him so much and i am so thankful i have a family thats is willing to give me a home and love and support. I also think that people enjoy getting gifts because it give them power and you get to have fun and you should be thankful you can get gifts every year for christmas some people don't.
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Laura Kalantarova
12/21/2015 02:33:06 pm
Gifts are very powerful. For me, giving a gift to someone is good because I love too see their faces! When you give a present to someone, you would usually give it to someone you love or someone very close. I spend a good amount of time on the gift so it turns out good so that the person knows I care about them.
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Gabe
12/21/2015 04:18:15 pm
The best gift I ever got was my cats. It was sort of an early christmas present, but who cares. On the car ride home they hid under the chairs up front. They tried to get out one of the windows, but there was not enough space for them to fit through. When we put them in our house they hid under a bed until we got toys and they adjusted to the new environment. They would be the best christmas present I ever got.
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isaiah
12/22/2015 10:26:30 am
the gift of nothing is a good thing because u spend time with people that u love and thats what the gift of nothing is about but if u give it to ur little brother he will get mad like mine when i did it
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Gunther Schnorr
12/22/2015 07:56:29 pm
The best gift are the fiefs from your heart not store bought items. What makes a gift special is the thought you put into it.
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Gunther Schnorr
12/22/2015 07:59:07 pm
What makes a gift special is the thought you put into it. Most people think a great present would be an iPhone or hover board, but what really matters is what they like. You have to know the person and what they like and that depends on what you get them.
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Thomas Allport
12/23/2015 09:06:03 am
My favorite gift ever was my ipod. I got it for Christmas last year. We want gifts because a lot of the time you like them but also something new to use or read.
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Anna Tian
1/15/2016 02:01:51 pm
I think behind these gift is love, friendship and giving. The most important part of it is it give happiness to a lot of people or person. So all gift is good no matter how it look or have.
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