Well, its that time of the year when the roads are clogged and the malls buzzing with activity. Tensions are running high and people are making sure their gift lists are all inclusive of their near and dear, not to mention the "important" ones. I figured what better to write about than the whole protocol of gifting. While I dont celebrate Christmas, in India we do have Diwali where people exchange stuff but at a totally different scale. Its more of homemade sweets and new dresses and less of having to buy things thoughtfully for one and all.
I have asked a few friends of mine as to why there is so much importance attached to gifting during Christmas and well, not many had an answer. They said they were doing it because they have been doing it all their life and their parents did it and so on. Here is an interesting "Christian" article on why people give gifts on Christmas. I am not convinced. Its nice to give and receive gifts, always. But is there a reason why its done at this time of the year ?. Or is it one of the ways corporate America gets to sell its products worth billions to the masses with a reason to boot ?
Many of my male friends complain about having to go through the rigors of buying gifts and that it tires and bores them to no end. Not to mention the bloated credit card bills. If this is indeed the attitude of many, why do it for the sake of doing it? Isnt it the spirit of giving that matters and not the gift itself. As O.Henry so beautifully wrote in his short story, "The Gift of the Magi", isnt it really in the spirit of things to want to give rather than have to give ?
5 comments:
am strictly against the habit of giving and receiving gifts. but what to do, sometimes its beyond us. It will be really nice to go and wish someone wholeheartedly without worrying about the gift to buy. puts an unnecessary pressure on us. and just because someone has given us something, we need to give them back too. My father used to comment on gifting as "A loan without any interest". right on.
Well said dude and very well said to your dad. The society has imposed such a big onus on the concept of giving gifts, its really too much. But then if you arent part of the bandawagon, you become the rebel which isnt really good :(
Well said Saranyan... half the joy vanishes thinking abt the 'right' gift we had to buy for the occasion.. As Ranga himself mentioned in one of his prev. posts, whats the pt. in gifting wall clocks and other stupid things that ppl are gonna give it to others.. a wish straight from the heart wd be more than enuf, i wd say.
My cousins used to give a nice card and a gift to their mother every year and one such event happened in my house. My father on seeing the card and gift said,"Well, its your mom. No amount of words in the Rs.25 card or the gift can either appreciate all she has done for you nor the love you have for her. Some relationships dont need a gift or card to express how important or deep it is. Its self-explanatory!"
I like giving gifts to people when I think I want to get them something. The whole concept of having a protocol is what doesnt work for me.
Definitely. Hard to live by but definitely something to hope for.
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