Chrismas Gifts

I have long been one to berate the gift-giving western culture.

I despise the "diamonds are forever" slogan, that encourages women to never resell their diamonds so more diamonds can be mined and sold; the fashions/fads that make perfectly good clothing from last year not worth wearing this year; and many other marketing gimmicks that make US the consumer society that it is.

However, this year, I not only encouraged my 7 year old to give gifts for Christmas, I have been trying to impress upon her that gift giving is really an important and wonderful tradition.



Why?

Gift giving makes you think about what people you love like. There is a joy not just in receiving a wonderful gift - but (probably a greater?) joy in knowing that you picked something the other person loves. When the gifts are thoughtful, not extravagant, they can be a wonderful way to show your love and appreciation for someone.

However, it is a fine line. Can you give a "perfect" gift to one sibling, and not to another - just because you chanced upon the "perfect" gift? If yes, does it mean you love one more than the other? If not, does it not encourage the culture where we buy dozens of See's candy boxes to hand out to one and all, so as to not make anyone feel left out? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of gift giving?

Personally, I think giving gifts spontaneously, and not necessarily always around Christmas or Birthday or Anniversary gets around this dilemma. You do not feel coerced to buy something/anything in time for the occasion, which drains the joy out of gifts. However, Christmas, Birthday, or a visit, are good occasions to learn the art of choosing gifts.

Hopefully, I can impress upon her the art of spontaneous gift giving later, once she has experienced the joy of giving a gift the receiver will cherish and enjoy.