Definition:

 A grateful person is thankful for people, nature, and things and is able to make the best of what they have, even if it’s not as much as what others have.  Stewardship means showing  thankfulness for what we have by taking good care of what we’ve been given. 

In short: Thankful for every blessing, big or small.

Summary:

This is a classic Christmas classic about a husband and wife, Jim and Della, who purchase gifts for one another. Because they don’t have money for shopping, they secretly decide to sell something precious so their spouse can have a special gift. Della sells her hair to buy Jim a watch band. Jim sells his gold watch so he can buy a jeweled comb for her long hair. When they prepare to exchange gifts, they realize that Della no longer has her hair to decorate, and Jim no longer has his watch to go with the watch band! Fortunately they are able to feel grateful for each other’s sacrifice and generosity and that evening they lovingly enjoy each other’s company.

Lesson Objectives: 

1. Teachers guide students in a discussion about the positive aspects of friendship emphasizing that in a real or true friendship, each has a greater desire to give rather than just receive from the other. 
2. The gifts that Della and Jim exchanged didn’t work out, yet they were able to laugh about it. Teachers guide students to talk about how they handle it when something doesn’t work out. 

Guiding Questions: 

1. Why was Della crying when she was counting her money and looking in the mirror at her long hair in the beginning of the story? 
2. Why did Della cut her hair and why did she want to get Jim a watch? 
3. Why did Jim have a funny expression on his face when he saw Della’s haircut? 
4. The word “Magi” means wise and noble pilgrims and refers to the Christmas story about the Magi who brought gifts to Bethlehem for the infant Jesus. Why do you think the author gave this title to his story? 
5. What do you think the author meant when he said, “of all who give gifts, these two were the most wise”?
6. Della would have really loved the comb and  Jim would have enjoyed the watch band, but it didn’t work out.  So why do you think they were able to be happy even when they didn’t get these gifts? 
7. Think of a time when you didn’t get something you really, really wanted, what was it, why was it so hard to deal with, and how did that make you feel? 
8. Name two or more things you can do to make yourself feel better when you don’t get something you really, really want.  
9. Think about the people in your life who care about you - your family, friends, teachers, coaches. Who are they and what do they do to cheer you up when you’re unhappy? 
10. What is the possession that you value the most? Would you give it up for someone you care about? Why or why not?