My uncle Al sent everyone on his Christmas card list, the story of his favorite Christmas. In turn, I wanted to do the same back, yet I couldn't come up with one that stood out. A birthday did stand out though, it could be frugal depending on the two people involved, for us it was.
It was the day before my birthday and my Dad approached me with my birthday card, which I knew had some money in it, period. No, no more! I refused to take the card. My dad was getting angry, "What's this all about?" I said, "I don't want your money, I want you to pick out a gift for me."
Well, the look on my father's face was priceless. He looked lost and said, "I don't know what to get for you that you'd like." I responded, "How about we take this money and going shopping together Dad, OK." Dad went into the living room to tell Mom that we'd be back in a little while. She asked, "Why, where are you going?" He said, "Linda and I are going birthday shopping.", and off we went.
It wasn't far and there weren't malls like today, but it was GREAT, just me and Dad. As we were shopping, I understood the look on my father's face. He needed lessons on how to shop for girls and I was more than happy to be the one to show him. We also had hot-dogs and soda before we returned home. Spending some alone time with my Dad was what was great about that birthday.
We never went shopping like that again yet I've never forgotten it or received money for my birthday again. He would always get me something great, usually clothes, and I proudly wore them until they wore out or no longer fit. Oh, I also remember my sisters asking me what makes me so special that I received this treatment. I told them to ask him the way I did and you'll get the same results but they never did.
Love,
Linda from LOWELL, MA
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