Question

at first, her plan was to make him homemade magnets using cut - outs from the superhero comics they both loved. but that wouldnt work anymore. obviously, a fancy party called for a fancy present. one day in class, she saw him checking the time, which gave her an idea. a watch! there were lots of expensive watches. it would be the ideal gift. callie went to a jewelry store to pick one out. she swallowed hard when she paid for it. the watch cost nearly all the money shed saved from her part - time job. even the glossy paper she wrapped it in cost more than regular paper. however, she was relieved that she had gotten an appropriate gift. the night of the party, callie invited some of the other guests to hang out at her house beforehand. it was fun to see everyone in formal attire. but something unexpected happened when people started comparing birthday gifts. richard had gotten michael a squirt gun, the kind they had played with as kids. molly had made michael a big card. and jasmine had baked a batch of michaels favorite cookies. suddenly, callie imagined michael as he opened the presents. she could picture his warm smile as he unwrapped the squirt gun, the card, and the cookies. then she pictured the confused look on his face when he saw the expensive watch. callie recalled the price she had paid, and she blushed. luckily, she still had the receipt. she put the wrapped box in her room before leaving with her friends. her gift would be late, but at least it would be special. which of the following best describes the main theme or lesson of the story? the most meaningful gifts dont have to cost a lot. dont spend more on a gift than you can afford. good manners reveal a lot about a person.

Explanation:

The story shows Callie bought an expensive watch for Michael, but then realized that the more meaningful gifts (squirt gun, card, cookies) were not expensive. The other options: "Don't spend more on a gift than you can afford" is not the main theme as Callie's realization was about the meaning of the gift, not affordability. "Good manners reveal a lot about a person" is irrelevant to the story's focus on gifts. So the first option best describes the theme.

Answer:

The most meaningful gifts don't have to cost a lot.