Ep 12. But I Really Don't Like This Present

Charlie and Lola is a popular British animated television series for children based on books by Lauren Child. It follows the siblings Charlie and Lola, who have fun and sometimes quirky adventures as they navigate through the world around them. Season 3 episode 12 is titled "But I Really Don't Like This Present" and revolves around a gift-giving conundrum.

The episode begins with Lola receiving a gift from her friend Lotta, which turns out to be something that she doesn't really like. Lola tries to hide her disappointment but quickly realizes that the gift is not her style or taste. She confides in Charlie, who suggests that she should say thank you anyway and that it's the thought that counts.

Despite Charlie's advice, Lola continues to feel unhappy about the gift and starts to feel guilty for not liking it. She says to Charlie that she wants to feel grateful for the thought and the love but she simply cannot like the present. The two siblings then decide to go around their home, finding presents that they have received and whether they liked them or not.

In the process, Lola discovers that Charlie didn't like the present she gave him and donated it to the school charity instead. This revelation makes Lola feel hurt and she asks Charlie why he didn't like it. Charlie admits that he didn't like it because it wasn't his style and that he wanted to be honest with her.

Lola then realizes that it's okay to not like a gift that someone has given to you. She learns that being honest with herself and the person who gave her the gift is better than trying to pretend to be happy about it. Charlie further explains that giving a gift is about making the other person happy, not about receiving gratitude from them.

Later, Lola receives another gift, which is even more unlikely and unusual than the first one. She is about to tell Lotta that she doesn't like it but then remembers what Charlie said about making the other person happy. She thanks Lotta for the present and tells her that she loves it. The episode ends with Lola realizing the joy of being honest and expressing gratitude in an authentic way.

In this episode, children learn about being honest and expressing gratitude, even when receiving a gift that is not to their liking. It also highlights the importance of understanding that gift-giving is not about receiving, but about making the other person happy. The show promotes important values such as empathy, kindness, and the joys of giving.

Charlie and Lola is a refreshing, warm and engaging show that teaches kids valuable lessons while entertaining them with witty dialogues, vibrant visuals and a charming soundtrack. It's a must-watch for young audiences who are looking for a mix of education and entertainment in their media consumption.