September 16, 2003
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What is the most thoughtful gift you have ever been given?

Hard to tell how others react to gifts I have given. I suppose anytime I give my time energy it is appreciated.

Felicia, 37
Lowell, MA USA

My husband gave me my first PC, an Apple II, for Christmas. I was a stay-at-home Mom, with a 3-year old and a newborn, after five years as a programmer. Staying home was a big adjustment for me. The Apple let me try to keep up with my programming skills while I was home with the kids. I was able to get a very few part-time at-home programming jobs. It wasn't much, but I could legitimately put them on my resume to fill in the time gap when I was ready to go back to outside-the- home work. I got a part-time programming job while the kids were in grade school. When my husband was laid off, the company happily took me on full-time. I've been a full-time programmer ever since. The Apple helped my sense of self-worth (silly, but true) and it even saved us financially in a way.

Cathie, 53
Novi, MI USA

Work.

Alias Irrelevante

I am the lucky recipient of many wonderful things of which I am grateful. But I have to say that the first thing that comes to my mind this morning is my Christmas present from last year from my husband's mom. She made us two scrapbooks with pictures of Kenny's relatives, his old photos and high school sports awards - even copies of their wedding license and his birth record. It was not done in that professional "creative memories" scrap-booking kind of way, but in a very matter of fact, slap it together kind of way. His mom is a no-frills person. But it meant the world to me that she wanted me to have this connection to my husband's past.

Cindy, 41
VA USA

My father built a wall of shelves for paperback books in my family room.

Jane, 63
West Linn, OR USA

No

Jane, 63
West Linn, OR USA

Last year the woman I ride to work with gave me one of those clocks that make a different bird sound at every hour. I love it!

Reba, 57
Gaithersburg, MD USA

My husband gives me coupons that I can redeem at any time: good ones like "It's time to leave the bar now" or "Get up and turn off the light" or "Take out the trash and recycling without complaining".

Laura, 38
Lowell, MA USA

The gift that immediately comes to mind was a compliment my son gave me today.

Jill, 61
Saylorsburg, PA USA

When I first met my fiance, he brought with him (on our first date) a small ceramic turtle wrapped up in a little box... I had briefly mentioned in conversation that I collect turtle items. I didn't even think he noticed I had said that. Then he showed up with this little gift. I was very moved by it.

Fisch, 47
Preston, CT USA

According to my "cubicle-mate" a nice cube mate to spend my work day with. But I would have to say just a simple thought of a phone call to see how I was doing is nice

Stephanie, 27
TX USA

A cup of coffee and an almond Joy candy bar after same day surgery. My husband really knows what I would need.

KarenNJ, 45
Milltown, NJ USA

An Italian Greyhound puppy.

Tam

Wow, I don't know. I've gotten a lot of thoughtful gifts. I don't even know where to start thinking of the most thoughtful one.

Karen, 23
Ames, IA USA

Life.

Keri-Jade, 23
Brampton, Ontario CANADA

Yesterday / Tomorrow