The Spirit of Giving

Dear Sweet Gifts,

How can you promote this whole gift thing? Consumerism is terrible! You shouldn’t be encouraging materialism, because it makes people forget the real meaning behind Christmas and birthdays.

Think about it.
(no name given)

It’s easy to get distracted by the price tag on a gift. However, it is vital to remember that a gift – no matter what gift it is – is a symbol of how much you care. Not to be confused with materialism, it is the ‘derivative’ gain of a gift which is the most important, ie. generosity, love and thoughtfulness.

The husband who gives his wife a meaningful card on their anniversary can be just as thoughtful as the interstate boyfriend who flies in for his girlfriend’s birthday.

The best gifts are always the most thoughtful, and brings most value (in use or in sentiment) to the reciever. Giving your bookworm brother two $90 tickets to the next rave may not be as valuable or as thoughtful as a $40 Dymocks voucher.

Going to the shop (consumerism) is only one way to get a gift to give. But a personalised, self-made tote back for your beach bum best friend can be just as precious as designer goods.

Handmade gifts can also teach a lot about what really matters to you. In an attempt to win back his ex-girlfriend, an eager beau folded 1000 origami cranes as a symbol of his devotion. After a few hundred birds, he realised that if she didn’t see the effort he put into this gift, then she wasn’t worth being with.

Here, we promote the giving of love. Although an old and well-used cliché, for a a gift to retain its true meaning, both giver and receiver must rember that it truly is “the thought that counts.”