Review: Why We Give Gifts at Christmas Time

Why We Give Gifts at Christmas Time
by Corine Hyman

Book Description:
Christmas gifts … a Christmas tradition as old as Christmas. However why do we give gifts to each other at Christmas time if it is Jesus’ birthday? This is a question that everyone has wondered at least once in their life. However, few have been able to come up with an answer. Join Evelyn and her friends as they discover the reason why we give gifts to each other at Christmas time if it is Jesus’ birthday. 

While “Why We Give Gifts at Christmas Time” is Christmas picture book geared towards children 3 to 8, it is a book that the whole family will enjoy. Why We Give Gifts at Christmas Time also uses Biblical passages to explore the reasons for Christmas giving. By the end of the book, you and your little one will know that there is a gift in giving and will want to practice generous giving.

My Review:
The setting of this book appears to be a church classroom, full of children.  The story consists of each child introducing him or herself and answering the question of why they give gifts at Christmas time.  I'll say that if you have been involved in church, the reasons aren't new, but they are presented with some cute illustrations by Julie Bryant.  Each "reason" is also accompanied by scripture, which I liked.  

Hyman includes reasons we would expect such as: it will please God,and it reminds us of God's gift to us.  However, many reasons were simply repetitions of "it will please God" with a shift in how we should be presenting the gifts.  I.E. with a cheerful spirit, we should share them with others, give to those who have less.  I think that the title is to narrow for the material covered in the book and that something like "Christmas Gifts, a lesson in giving" would have been more appropriate.  Still, that isn't enough to deter me from reading this with my daughter again this Christmas as the lessons included are a great reminder.