THE SONIC BOOMER
Last Sunday was Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day is coming up next month, on June 17 to be exact. If there are young children in your life — be they children or grandchildren — you already know the ABCs of childhood gift-giving and are already prepared to enthusiastically accept:
• Anything. Whether it’s a rock, a shell or a painted piece of string, you are ready to embrace this gift with all you’ve got.
• Book. Handmade books are best, and any book a young child can actually read to you is tied for best.
• Candy. This will be any candy you like, as long as the child himself also likes it.
• Drawing. More impressive than the grunting, groaning effort that goes into this endeavor is the love behind it.
• Exercise mat. When given by a child, there is no need to suspect hidden hints about your weight. There are none. They just heard you needed a new exercise mat.
• Finger-painting. As much fun to make as it is to give!
• Greeting card. My favorites are the ones with uneven, hand-scrawled signatures on the back.
• Hugs. Appreciated and affordable!
• Ice cream. This is sometimes an additional gift because, let’s face it, who can pass up ice cream?
• Jump. A jump into your arms or lap is often unexpected, but one must not complain about broken glasses, bumps or scrapes, and simply soak in the enthusiasm.
• Kisses. (See hugs, above.)
• Lunch. This is one of the most popular presents you can get or give. Of course, we moms are there for the conversation. The food hardly matters at all.
• Meal. Not every child is a junior master chef, but a homemade meal by a beginner takes real effort. Eat it with a smile.
• Needlework. This category covers everything from a potholder to an elaborately embroidered family tree. If you’ve already downsized, pray it’s a potholder.
• Outing. This is what I got for Mother’s Day… an outing to a water theme park. I loved it!
• Plant. My own children know not to waste their money on this doomed gift, but it seems to work well for others.
• Quilt. You might get an actual quilt from a grown child, but I’m stretching this one to represent the fabric of our lives and the joy that children bring to it.
• Ride. This can be anything from a simple car ride along the coast to occupying a bucket in a Ferris wheel. Sit back and enjoy!
• Star. It is actually possible to have a star named in your honor. Wow!
• Tree. A tree planted in your name is as good as a star — and you can visit it.
• Umbrella. A practical gift from a practical kid. Or you live in Seattle.
• Virtual reality goggles. This is a great gift from any kid who has heard you say you just want to escape it all.
• Wishes. The best wish is the one uttered at the end of the day: “I wish you didn’t have to go home, Grandpa.”
• X-ray. A gift you can give yourself and, moms, you know what I’m talking about.
• Yacht. Well, we can dream, can’t we?
• Zzzzzz. Sleep. The very best gift of all!
