英语美文：完美的圣诞礼物

 我总记得小时候的圣诞节早晨,我冲下楼梯,到处寻找圣诞树上最大的盒子。我一直相信,最大的盒子里会有最昂贵、最好的礼物。不过时间给年轻人的头脑和心灵施展了它的魔力,我很快就意识到每一个礼物都是特别的,独特的,有意义的。其实,我记忆最深刻的是那些直接来自“心”的礼物,比如妈妈手织的一件毛衣或一条围巾。显然圣诞节的意义不在于礼物本身,而是礼物背后的那份心思。 

　　这个圣诞节我一直都在祈祷能收到世界上最漂亮最令人惊异的礼物——我女朋友安吉拉。不过我知道圣诞节真正的意义在于“给予”。因此,这一次我自己承诺要为这个最好的女孩找到最好的礼物。我花了许多天在拥挤的商店里搜寻,扫描着众多的假日货架,但是好像没有什么能让我相中。圣诞很快来临了,我不知道究竟能不能找到“完美”的礼物。我决定再最后去一次当地的商场碰碰运气。也许我错过了某个店铺或者某种刚开始热销的新产品。可是随着我静静地从一家商店到另一家,还是没有什么能吸引我的眼球。我慢慢地、有些失落地朝商场出口走去。然而就在我马上要走到门口的时候,我突然找到了它。 
　　是的,这个礼物不是在什么奇特的百货商场找到的。它不能被包装在漂亮的包装纸里,不能用丝带装饰。事实上,没有收据也不能退货。那么,我是在哪儿找到这个“完美”礼物的,更重要的,它是什么呢?在一对手拉着手的老夫妻的眼中我找到了它;在祖孙有趣的顽皮话中,我听到了它;在一个自豪的新妈妈的举手投足间,我看到了它。 
　　是的,这个礼物就是“爱”!所以,安吉拉,这个圣诞节我要给你“我的爱”,而且我相信你会一直把它保存在你的身边。 
　　圣诞快乐,安吉拉,我爱你。 
　　注释 
　　①scan v.细看 
　　②catalog n.目录,目录册 
　　③mall n.购物商场 
　　④merehandise n.商品,货物 
　　⑤ribbon n.缎带 
　　⑥receipt n.收条,收据,收到 　　As a young child I can always remember rushing down the steps on Christmas morning and looking around the tree for the biggest box. I always believed that within the biggest box lied the most expensive and best gift. But as time works 1 it magic on the mind and soul of a young man, I soon realized each and every gift was special, unique, and meaningful. In fact, those presents I remember most are the gifts that came directly from the heart, such as one of my mother's handmade sweaters or scarves. Christmas definitely 2 is not about the gift itself, but rather the thought behind the gift. 
　　This Christmas I have already been blessed to receive the most beautiful and amazing gift in the world, my girlfriend Angela. But I know the true meaning of Christmas is found in the word "giving." So, this Christmas I promised myself to search and find the most incredible 3 gift for this most incredible girl. I spent many days searching the crowded stores and scanning1 the numerous 4 holiday catalogs2, but nothing seemed to stand out. As Christmas quickly approached I wondered if I would ever find that "perfect" gift. I decided 5 to try the local mall3 one last time. Maybe I had missed a store or new merchandise4 had just hit the racks 6 and shelves. But as I quietly passed from one store to the next, nothing attracted my eye. Somewhat 7 defeated, I slowly made my way to the mall exit. But before I could reach the doors, I suddenly found that "perfect" gift. 
　　No, this gift was not found in a fancy 8 department store. It will not be wrapped in pretty paper and adorned 9 with ribbons5 and bows. In fact, this gift doesn't have a receipt6 and can't be taken back. So, where did I find this "perfect" gift and more importantly what is it? I found it in the eyes of an elderly couple holding hands, I heard it in the playful words between a grandfather and grandson, and I saw it in the actions of a proud new mother. 
　　Yes, the gift is Love! So Angela, this Christmas I give to you My Love and I trust that you will always keep it with you! 
　　Merry Christmas Angela and I LOVE YOU!