Practice

This year, as every other year in recorded history we have practiced. The game goes like this. My job is to make up scenarios for the children wherein they receive gifts like a) nicely wrapped dirt; b) socks; c) sweaters knitted from dog hair....

Their job is to genuinely come up with a thank you and a reason to be happy for the gift.

Because children must be trained to not only a) not embarass this mother, but more importantly b) realize any gift they receive in their life is an expression of love. It means that the giver has had them on their mind. That they took the time to try. That they are loved and fortunate.

So far they have proven their ability to be genuinely excited about some seriously weird stuff. Its hereditary.