This is what we call a "Kmart photo." Its origins stem from the Sunday ads for stores like Kmart in which models have forced enthusiasm in boring situations--like posing in front of some blank wall. My cousins and I would imitate the ads, staging pictures to look like we were having more fun than anyone could possibly have in a given situation.Most of the pictures are obvious fakes. But some, like this one, look pretty real. It appears that Ellen and Melanie are just showing up on Christmas Eve, and Chris and I are there to greet them. It looks like someone fortuitously captured the moment. Truth is, Ellen & Mel took a few presents from under the tree, put their coats on, and then went outside. Chris and I stood at the door as they (re)entered the house. Voila! A photo op.
Seeing this Kmart moment made me think about gift-giving. One thing I have great difficulty with is waiting to give someone a present. When I've bought a gift for a birthday or another occasion, and I think the person's going to really like it, I can't wait until the appointed day. Frequently, I end up giving the present early. That means that I have to get another gift for the actual holiday.
The opposite problem also happens sometimes: I can't think of a good gift. Maybe I set the standard high, but it's much more meaningful & fun when the gift is well-suited to the recipient. Personal gifts are the best when they're for someone close to you. Now and then I'll have a good idea of something to make. I've made some cards for people. Generally, I like how those turn out.
When I get an idea to craft something more substantial, I usually run out of time (read = procrastinate too long) and don't get to execute my plan. If it's truly the thought that counts, I would be waaaaaayyyyyyyy ahead of the game. I think I'll take some stock Kmart photos of friends and family gleefully opening gifts. That way, I can rewrite history to show how excited people were by all the presents I gave.
