Gracious receiving is as important as generous giving. I don’t mean one needs to go on and on, making outrageous claims about the gift or the giver, but simple, heartfelt thanks goes a long way to affirming the generosity of the giver. If the gift is not exactly what I wanted, I can focus on the love that inspired the kindness. If the gift is given anonymously, I can simply thank the source of love. At this time of year, there is a lot of that going around—love, I mean. At our church there is a giving tree. It is decorated with slips of paper that have ages of needy people (male or female) with gift suggestions. Parishioners can take a slip or two and return gift(s), which are delivered later. A huge pile of gifts has accumulated. What a wonderful way to be involved with others while remaining anonymous. It eliminates the desire for recognition or reciprocation on the part of the giver. I think that’s true generosity.