Gift on!

The culture of gifting has been as old as civilization. It is the one rare tradition that is common to the entire human race. So whether it is birthdays, anniversaries, festivals, new beginnings, happy endings or honouring every possible relationship, gifts are an important part of the celebrations.

My childhood saw me using my very limited drawing skills, making cards for birthdays and anniversaries. This ritual was a part of my family culture. The cards would have all the usual hearts, flowers and cute proverbs, but always ensured a smile on the face of the recipient. In case of weddings or other important celebrations, the family would huddle together and have a very deep discussion about the most appropriate idea for the gift.

One of the fundamentals I grew up with was that a gift was something everyone loved receiving.

And so, even today, I love the idea of gifting. I have gifted books, clothes and other things that people need or I think they need. The latest has been writing poems for some significant people and testimonials for some others. The whole phase of planning, buying, conjuring and finally gifting is always an extremely blissful one. There is some unadulterated joy when the singular motive is make some else joyful!

What brings me to this article, however, is my observation and complete disagreement with the social compulsions that mar the motive behind this tradition and make it more of a crass circus. If we could do away with these, the world would certainly be a better and sensible place to live in.

So there are some who jump at every opportunity to have a vulgar display of their wealth. I’d appreciate a single flower to a hideous bouquet that seems as tall as me.

I don’t want to have my name advertised in a list of people who ‘contributed’ to a gift. As long as something sensible is purchased from the money and the recipients appreciate it, I am happy.

Unless, the requirement for it is definitely known, cash is the most heartless gift ever. Bring on some creativity to express your love!

Do not pass on gifts others have gifted you. Not only does it insult that person and me, it shows you in very poor light.

Do not gift, ‘because’ someone gifted something to you. It only starts an unending and unwanted cycle of ‘give and take’.

Instead, if we could just put some heart into the system and….

• Take some precious time out and have a much needed conversation with each other
• Introduce people to other people they would love to get to know
• Introduce people to varied sources of wisdom
• Throw surprise parties
• Have impulsive travel trips
• Provide genuine appreciation
• Help people with the change you know they need
• Write letters that they will treasure forever

 …..wouldn’t these too qualify as gifts?

This list could go on and I’d love everyone to contribute to it.

But, the essence of gifting should lie in sharing a part of you which shall forever stay with other people, a gesture full of love and a reminder of all the goodness in the world!