Christmas shoppers have spent more than $1 trillion on presents annually in the United States in recent years, and more than 2 billion pounds sterling (about $2.5 billion) in the United Kingdom.

Because many people in both countries still go without presents or even adequate food during the holiday season, it’s important today to remind ourselves that such profligate extravagance does not benefit everyone — and of the season’s universal message of kindness, compassion, charity and love.

In fact, as most everyone’s parents probably told them at one time or another, “It’s the thought that counts, not the gift.”

Which, of course, is always true.

And often the simplest, most thoughtful gifts bring the most joy.

Take this charming video, inaptly titled “Giving our daughter the worst Xmas gift ever!!!” If the title were true, the little girl’s reaction would have been anything but what it was: Sheer joy.

The entire video is enchanting, but the little girl’s reaction to her gift (starting at about 1:57 on the clip) was priceless.

Enjoy — Merry Christmas! and Happy Holidays!

Video/YouTube/Thanks to Athyvaya for this clip

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Thanks for reading my Godzooks blog. FYI, now and through the Christmas season, my memoir, “3,001 Arabian Days,” will be available on Amazon at a discount — $12 (was $15.95) for the paperback, and $5 (was $6.99) in Kindle format. Enjoy! Access it on my Amazon page: http://tinyurl.com/y7rzla44. See more info below: