A special gift

So today was the last day of school for the Christmas holidays! The last day usually means a party, presents, and plenty of excitement! As expected, my kids were up for all of that today. However, the present part can be difficult for me. As the teacher, the children are so excited about the gift they brought me and of course I make a big deal of each one, holding it up, etc. I don't like to be the center of attention, but over the years, I learned that this is a very important to the children and if it isn't done first, they are continually asking when do I get to open gifts.

However, what I love most about gifts from first graders is the commentary you get with it! Parents would be mortified if they knew what their child told me. For example, I was told last year that the necklace I was given had a matching bracelet, but mom liked it too much, so she kept it. Even this week, one of my little ones told me that I didn't get the gingerbread mix to go with the candle because it cost too much. And before school today, one of my boys was totally taking my present out the bag and showing it to every teacher that passed! But none of that (or any future stories) will surpass what happened today!

As you might of guessed, all of this is leading to a really great story! So I finally succumbed to the gift opening process and I picked up the first box with a beautiful bow. Now I know this kid always gives great gifts (based on my birthday) and so I have to admit that I was slightly excited about opening it. So, I finally get the tape off the box, gently open the tissue, and what to my surprise (and horror) do I see? A three pack pair of men's boxer-briefs. Size med, black. I had no idea what to do! I knew I couldn't hold this up and ohh and ahh with a straight face, and I was pretty sure this gift belonged to the older brother. Oops! So, I quickly moved on to the rest of the gifts. Since the children were busy doing a craft at the same time, most of them didn't notice that I didn't tell them. I felt bad for the child though. How was I to explain why I didn't make a big deal out of his gift, much less explain to him that I wasn't keeping it? After having a good laugh out in the hall with the other first grade teacher, we decided that I should just let the child know that I thought I had the wrong present and please take it back to mom. I have to say, this is the first (and only, I hope) time I have ever received men's boxers!


End of story: the older sister brought the real present after school. Which happened to be a lovely matching fleece hat and scarf in our school color.

Oh, but if I could have only seen the mom's face when she realized she had sent her child's teacher boxers for Christmas!