[From the archives.]
The Bible tells us it is better to give than receive (Acts 20:35), and I have a treat for you below that exemplifies this in memorable British fashion; this is Boxing Day after all. But first I thought I’d tell you of one of the better gifts I was able to give.
My wife and I don’t do presents much. One year, though, back when I was still an associate at my law firm, I received a Christmas bonus. It wasn’t much as law firm bonuses go, because the economy hadn’t been doing well that year, but still it was enough to go shopping for something I thought my wife might like. I took another associate along with me for advice, Christine, because she knew my wife and she had good taste. So we went coat shopping.
Not just any coat, mind you. I wanted a wool overcoat for my wife. Black wool, heavy enough to handle the cold north winds that can blow through here in the winter. Christine was a trooper, going from store to store with me. We found a really nice one that blew the whole bonus, but it was perfect. I took it home and hid it away.
Christmas morning, I brought the package out. My wife was not expecting anything, so this was a surprise right off the bat. She opened it, and the surprise increased. Then she tried it on. It fit like … well, like an overcoat should. And it still does. I am glad I spent the whole thing on that coat, because it looks as good now as it did the day I brought it home 20 years ago. She wears it all winter long still.
So I have a question. What is one of the most successful gifts you’ve ever given, and why? (OK, that’s two questions I suppose.)
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And as promised, for your reading pleasure (and I do mean pleasure, since this is hilarious), and in celebration of that grand British tradition Boxing Day, I direct you to read Brian Sibley’s “And Yet Another Partridge In A Pear Tree”. First performed by Penelope Keith on BBC, this has now become one of my personal holiday traditions.
It’s a hoot! (If partridges can hoot, that is.)
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