I've been on this planet for quite a while. I've seen things come and go. I've watched ridiculous fads take the world by storm and I've watched society lose track of family values.
I grew up in a different time. Families sat together for meals. Children played outside until they reluctantly came in when called for dinner. Things cost a lot less.
There is one thing that has not changed though; the struggle with Christmas gift-giving.
Every year, parents and spouses try to find the gift that says "I love you".
As a quiet and observant individual, I've always been fascinated by this process. We, humans, try to find a thing, an amount of money, that represents our degree of love (or lack thereof, let's be honest).
Unfortunately, we are always so unsuccessful! It was the wrong color, size, day, time, etc.
What we never seem to understand is that our loved ones don't need anything material to show our love. They just need us to love them. They need for us to want to be with them. Listen to them. Share with them.
The title of this article is Park Models: the Perfect Christmas Gift. Although that sounds like a marketing ploy to get you to buy a park model for Christmas, for me it's a bigger truth.
We've seen countless families over the years and I can tell you first-hand, that there's nothing like telling your family that you want to be with them and share with them, not just this Christmas, but for many Christmases to come!
There's something conveyed in the purchase of a vacation home that tells loved ones that you want to spend time with them, and that you want to commit your free time to them.
There's also the process of actually being together. Going swimming in the warm months, sitting by the fire in the chilly months and all of those images that are taken later serve as reminders of the good times, the silly things, the things the kids did when they were small.
Vacation homes are more than just a place. They hold the memories that will never be forgotten. They are the witnesses to the growth of our families and the changes to it.
This is why I say, instead of a toy that will soon be broken, or jewelry that will occasionally be worn, gift a park model. The kid's eyes will light up, and your spouse will probably be in awe of you forever, but most importantly you will have told your loved ones, "This is a place for me and you to spend time together, because I love you and want to be with you."