Nostalgia Gifts

As I sit at my computer writing, some word, some phrase will bring a flash of memory that stops me in the middle of a sentence. I pause, lose my train of thought, and am propelled back in time to my childhood, so long ago. Oh, those beautiful hills of West Virginia! Was it only yesterday that my sister and I were walking up the hill to the schoolhouse where I would see my beautiful favorite first grade teacher, anticipating her smile of pleasure as she read my poem? Awash in a flood of memories, I whisper a prayer of thanksgiving for all the nostalgia gifts bestowed upon us from above.

Did ever a distinctive smell just flood your entire being with nostalgic feelings of long ago? I remember my grandparent’s house had a particular smell of – what? I have never found a word to describe it. But on rare occasions, a whiff of that same, sweet aroma will send me back to those “babysitting” nights spent with Grandma and Grandpa, in the big bed, with my sister asleep beside me as I lay awake watching the shadows on the wall of that big scary bedroom.

How happy was I when morning came, with the smell of pancakes and bacon beckoning us to the breakfast table downstairs in the huge, cold kitchen. But now I miss that big house and that small town and those loving grandparents which this moment of nostalgia allows me to relive.

More recent moments of nostalgia occur, taking me by surprise, when I see a loving couple, perhaps in a restaurant, or at church, or even walking along the street. As the husband helps his wife to be seated at the table or helps her remove her coat; as they look lovingly into each other’s eyes while conversing; as they intimately reach out to clasp the other’s hand, or instinctively put their arms around each other, behaving as though they were one. Oh, those wonderful memories! The Nostalgic gift of reliving those moments shared by my beloved now gone before me to his heavenly home are the most precious of all.

When we think about gifts, I wonder, do we overlook the fact that one of the greatest gifts of all is the gift of oneness with family and friends. Think with me for a moment - what are you putting first in your life? Are you so busy with work, keeping house, doing all the things necessary to survive, that your loved ones are pushed out of the way? Have you really prioritized your activities? When was the last time you let your family and loved ones know how you love them? How about your friends – do you also just take them for granted?

Allow me to encourage you to sit down for a few moments and take a little trip down memory lane. Ascribe to yourself the Nostalgic gift of remembering the intimacy you once enjoyed with your spouse; when you were still in awe of the miracle of the birth of your children; love lavished by your parents throughout the years; a treasured friend that you have allowed to slip out of your life. As you can see nostalgia gifts are not always purchased.

I would like you to think about something. When you were growing up and even now as you are possibly grown who was the hardest person to buy for around the holidays? If you are like my household it was always your father and now that you are grown and married I’ll be you it is the men folk in your family. How many times was a gift given to you father or your husband and you discerned it really didn’t capture his fancy-unless of course he had already informed you of what he wanted or usually needed-and then it was no surprise.

Well, let me tell you something that most all dads and husbands would be very very happy to receive for any holiday whether it be Christmas, birthday or Father’s Day; and that is a nostalgia gift. Some gift that would escort his thoughts back down memory lane, taking him back to his childhood or teen years or even early marriage life or really anything nostalgic. I guarantee he would be pleased pink. Something like a jukebox or neon sign or any nostalgic or retro gift; or maybe that electronic gift or something very unique. Uniqueness seems to be a key element for satisfaction with the menfolk.

I don’t know about you but many times with me I get those overwhelming feelings of nostalgia just looking at something from yester year like a bubble gum machine. I remember as a little tyke walking down to the corner drugstore, which at that time seemed like a 3 mile walk, to get my hands on a candy bar or to put my pennies in the various gumball machines. Ah, those were the days!

Nostalgia gifts are very special gifts because they appeal to fond memories of the past; certain periods of time that form our life experiences and bring overwhelming feelings of acceptance and security among other things. How about that little league game; that cheerleading season; that first car that you can remember and the long trips to Florida in the summer. So many things can kick off that nostalgia mood because it is a walk down memory lane.

Think about it. You take a little shopping spree into you local mall and you stumble upon a vintage toy that takes you back to when you were just 5 years old and you find yourself reminiscing over those wonderful years when things were much simpler.

I really think Nostalgia gifts are wonderful gifts and much more fulfilling because they evoke so many wonder memories. So it is more than an instant gratification or just buying a gift because you think you need it. It is a gift that will take you back to different historical times in your life and allow you to relive them over and over each and every time you glance at that nostalgia gift or hold it in your hands.  Hey every time I see a gumball machine it takes me back…