When my brother, Nick, was little, he always believed that the best presents came in the biggest and shiniest packages. His fourth Christmas, he spent about two weeks hauling around a large green foil-wrapped box with a huge bow that he was sure must contain a) the best Lego thing ever invented, b) a puppy, or c) a trip into outer space.  It was from his uncle, and none of us knew what the box contained, although we always loved the elaborate and shiny wrap. This uncle was a real hit-or-miss kind of guy, the type who never sends a gift-card and always takes a holiday gamble. I can honestly say that some of my most beloved and most laughable gifts came from him.

On Christmas day, when my brother finally tore into the present with great relish, he found an orange sweatshirt in a big box, and it was the one and only time Nick said “Oh, sh*t” in front of my parents! My mother had to stifle her giggles as she scolded him. The best presents he got that year came in more modest packages, and he was happy that the Lego helicopter and Seahawks ball cap, among other coveted items, easily made up for this small disappointment.

Personally, I’ve always felt that the best things often come in small, if not simple, packages. This year, I’m already excited about what I suspect to be pearl earrings, a Victoria’s Secret gift card, and probably a new poetry book or two under the tree (Yes, I love good poetry. Chuckle if you must.)  Still, I wonder if that foil-wrapped sweatshirt brought my brother at least as much joy as the box containing the Lego helicopter.  After all, he was able to enjoy weeks of delicious anticipation. In the age of the gift card, I think we might be underestimating the importance of presentation, and all the bows and leaves and cards that come with nice wrapping paper. We could think of wrapping paper and bows the way we think of nice lingerie: they are both all about the anticipation!

However, if you’re like me and can never get the edges straight or the bow to stick, you might want to leave the wrapping to the pros. That’s part of why you’ll want to know that beginning Saturday December 19th and going through December 24th, Bookmans in Flagstaff will have a $1 gift-wrapping event to benefit Amnesty International. This way, you can help your loved ones enjoy the anticipation of lovely gift-wrapping, and also know that you are donating to an organization that promotes human rights. Personally, whenever I can do something for my loved ones and folks around the globe simultaneously, I’m going to jump at the opportunity. There will also be a free gift-wrapping event at the Ina store on Saturday December 19th from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M., with the helping hands of volunteers from Altrusa International.