Another look at Gifts

Sometimes I find myself being buried by the idea of gift giving. I find myself musing on the idea of gifts following this season of giving.  I’m always torn about getting a specific gift list from family members.  This is practical and efficient.  Just click on the amazon link and you’re done.  And, also feeling like that TOTALLY misses the point of why I would want to give a gift.  I want to hand the person a nicely wrapped gift and watch as they open it.  I want the experience of thinking about them and imagining what I might like to give them. I like the smile, the “thank you”.   I know all the practical reasons why this doesn’t always work.  And yet, what is the purpose of gift giving in the first place?  We give because we care about the person and we want a physical expression of that love.  We give because it is an expectation that causes us to think of others during this season.  We give because we want to exchange joy.  All of those reasons live in the abstract, of course! Most of us have the means to acquire things for ourselves. A gift comes with another meaning -- something specially chosen, a secret, a sign of caring.

I came across an article that talked about a completely different vision of giving.  The article (I don’t remember the author or text where I read it – alas) suggested that we could all be more generous – we could all give gifts everyday.

So, stop right now and think of three gifts you might give TODAY….

Things like writing a hand-written letter to a friend, smiling at three strangers, making cookies for a neighbor.  Things like volunteering to wash the dishes or some other task that is usually not “yours” to do.  Or writing to an author or singer to tell them how much their creativity enlivens you.  Or feeding the squirrels as well as the birds, or sending a poem to someone or a hand-made card.  Calling a relative just to say hi.  Lighting a candle at the dinner table.  Just picking up the toys instead of yelling at the kids.

You get the idea.  Choose three for today.  Do them!  Today or tomorrow.

Have a Happy New Year!