Happy Holidays
Paul Kjellander is PUF Senior Advisor and former Idaho PUC Chair.
Holiday gift giving presents challenges, especially as we stress over what to get for those tough-to-buy-for family members. Trying to select the perfect gift that brings people closer and somehow keeps providing joy for years to come is always the ultimate goal. That was behind my intentions as I searched for the perfect gift for my newlywed daughter and her husband who just happen to be new homeowners.
Ally and Thiago are a highly educated couple. She is a lawyer, and his PhD is in material sciences, so I knew they would appreciate a gift that was thoughtful, practical, and would provide long-term financial benefits.
I also thought it was clever to give them a do-it-yourself project that would bring them closer together as they put my gift to purpose. Who wouldn’t appreciate a DIY gift that keeps on giving?
As a former utility regulator who was always concerned about affordability and conserving energy, a gift pack that included all the materials needed to insulate the attic and save money on energy seemed like a great idea.
But the look on their faces Christmas morning told a different story. We’ve all heard the phrase, “It’s not the gift, but the thought that counts.” This is what every child is told to ease the disappointment of a present that falls short of expectations.