I did something this year I am not sure I have ever done before.
On December 15, I was shopping with Miss Helping Hands and I bought a Christmas gift right in front of the person who was going to receive it.
I blame it on the unusual pressure I was under at the moment.
It went kind of like this:
"Oh, look at that coat! I love that coat!"
"That really is cute. I'll bet it would look great on you. Why don't you try it on?"
"If I try it on, I will really want it."
"Oh, go on, honey. I'd love to see it on you."
She tried it on.
"Oh, gosh. I really, really want this now. Really."
"Well, I never buy gifts in front of the giftee. That's not very much fun on Christmas morning. Maybe Santa will bring you one."
She carefully (reluctantly? lovingly?) removed the coat.
She (slowly? painfully?) hung it back on the rack.
As we turned to walk away I heard a little mumble...
"It's the only 'small' on the rack. Just sayin' is all."
Now, I wanted her to have the coat as much or more than she wanted to have that coat.
I caved.
This was, after all, my daughter who, fashion wise, leans toward the classic/conservative end of things, and this was no beautifully understated coat.
You know what?
It did not spoil the fun on Christmas morning.
And though the yellow jacket opened to mixed reviews from brothers and sisters, Miss Helping Hands was very happy.
And a smile is the best thing anyone can wear.