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Giving can be a very good thing. Giving allows you to help others, show you care for them and their welfare, but receiving is definitely all it's cracked up to be. Back in 1999, my company surprised me with a Christmas bonus, a brand new Volvo 850 GLT. I have to admit that I was completely overwhelmed by the gift, and haven't had such an unexpectely incredible gift any other time in my life. It was the heyday of dot com startups and high tech fortunes, so the gift was not unusual, but it certainly did remind me that some gifts can really make a Christmas unforgettable.

Having said that, I have made extra efforts to give thoughtful gifts to others over time. Sometimes we all need a special Christmas just to be reminded that we are appreciated. Of course, it doesn't have to be expensive or elaborate, just thoughtful and appreciated.

I did have a coworker who had a very rough year and had been through a divorce and some serious financial difficulties. My staff and I knew she was a serious doll collector and her own collection was very expensive and incredibly diverse. We found an African family doll set online which we were certain this woman had never seen before and all of us chipped in to buy it. The gift was a huge hit and made the Christmas party a memorable one for all of us. In that way, the receiving, not just of the gift, but of the consideration involved, made "receiving" much better than giving.

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