Importance of Presents

Gift giving, particularly related to holidays, symbolizes parental love in Suzette’s eyes. “Her mother, in spite of her other deficits, was big on gift giving. And her presents were usually well chosen and beautifully wrapped. As an adult, Suzette understood this had been her sole means of expressing love. She’d saved most of the nicer ribbons, still had them in a special box: shimmery fabric in metallic and holiday plaids. In her mind, the wrapping became the hugs she had never received” (60). Because of this, Suzette buys her daughter expensive gifts for the holidays, often including art supplies. Hanna’s refusal to use these supplies makes Suzette feel rejected by her daughter.