And every child is born knowing, somehow, which are the good gifts, under the tree-the ones that Santa brought. These are the gifts that every child has been eagerly awaiting, the gifts that Santa was asked to bring, specifically. These are the gifts that make Christmas special.



There are other victims under the tree, too. Wrapped as carefully as Santa's goodies, they appear very similar, but for one thing-the gift card, which identifies the sender as someone other than Santa Claus. These presents may be from Grandma or Aunt Jane or Cousin Billy or even Mom and Dad. In most cases, they aren't gifts that were requested in that letter to Santa. But, in many instances, they'll be some of the most useful, and used, gifts that are savagely opened this Christmas.

These gifts may be new pajamas or socks or school pants or sheets for the bed. This Christmas day, they'll be barely acknowledged and consigned to a pile in the corner. The child to whom these gifts now belong will barely remember getting them. But these are the gifts that parents, especially, are grateful to see.

Though these gifts may not be the coveted ones, the love with which they were chosen, bought and sent deserves recognition. Whether they were sent by a grandparent or an uncle or a family friend, someone went to some effort to get them here.

The most courteous and polite, and welcome way to say thank you is with a written card of some kind, acknowledging the gift, how it is appreciated, and how it will be used. Though we live in an electronic age, a card that arrives at the sender in the mail is something that is still expected.

Even if a child is too young to actually write out a thank-you, a pre-written greeting card with a photo of the child and the gift will do the trick, and make anyone smile as they open it, after the holiday season has come to an end.

Children are never too young to learn how to say thank you. Even though they may have received more exciting gifts on Christmas morning than the underwear that Aunt Mary sent, no gift was purchased and sent with more love, and no gift deserves more thanks.