Gift is from the heart

There is nothing worse than getting something you already have. That’s what hits you when you unwrap same heaps of gifts after marriages or birthdays or housewarming parties. Large numbers of albums, any number of vases and plenty of plastic ware, to be given away without compunction in the recycling process of passing on with repackaging and coloured ribbon. And don’t be surprised if you end up with it or worse still it goes to the original gift giver. And today with the “Buy one, Get one” or “Two for the price of One” schemes floating in departmental stores and malls, these gifts travel in spirals.

Often people don’t realise that a gift should be from the heart and should be an expression of your feelings. When it is a mere formality no thought goes into the selection of gift. Such gifts are merely dumped in dark corners or unceremoniously disposed of. If you understand the person for whom it is intended you will certainly cater to their taste or need. If it is a young couple, about to set up a home, china or glassware could be ideal. If he or she is a book lover, there is nothing better than a book to add to the collection. Or for the artistic sort, possibly an artefact to add elegance to the drawing room.

Sometimes the most beautiful gift one can receive is a bouquet of flowers. A flower’s life is short but it’s very essence and transience makes it precious. A precious gift “blesseth him that gives and him that takes”, leaving the giver enriched with the joy of giving and the recipient with the joy of receiving.

Of course, on a higher plane, away from the scene of mundane formal occasions, we have heard of the Magi, the three wise men who took the arduous journey from the East to Bethlehem to witness the miracle of the Baby Christ. Their gift of frankincense, myrrh, and gold were given in reverence and their reward was faith. A gift is also given in a spirit of sacrifice to make your loved ones happy.

In O Henry’s short story “The Gift of the Magi”, the impoverished young man sells his watch, a heirloom, to buy his wife a set of turquoise shell combs and she, in turn, sells her beautiful tresses to buy him a silver watch chain, each without the knowledge of the other’s gift. Each gift to the other becomes futile but exemplifies their spirit of sacrifice and love. Comparing them to the Magi, Henry says “Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest.” Can there be greater gift givers than those who give their love?