on presents

I had a delightful, low-key Christmas with my parents and sister and her boyfriend. Despite being sick.

As we were opening presents, it occurred to me that I think I like presents better before they're opened. Brightly-wrapped boxes under a tree are full of cheerful potential. Once they're unwrapped, they just become "stuff." Not that some of the stuff isn't great fun, and it's definitely the thought that counts. But at some point, the possibilities became more interesting than the actuality. Kind of like I've become the kind of person who learns as much from questions as from their answers.

Or perhaps I'm just feeling philosophical due to the cold. ;)