Giving gifts is a universal symbol of love or appreciation. The best thing about giving gifts is the reaction of the person receiving them. The sheer joy of being remembered and being appreciated for being you is a feeling like no other. Regardless of the gift, when one receives it, it can make them feel like they are the luckiest person in the world. As we get closer to the day God gave His Son—bringing us the greatest gift of all, may we remember why the act of giving is more important than what is given.
Often, way too often, we find ourselves spending too much time thinking about what gift to give. We go through all the troubles of figuring out the best present for someone. But sometimes, we fall into the black hole of online shopping that we end up not choosing anything because of the many options around. We almost often end up sending gift cards or cash inside a red envelope instead to give the receiver the freedom to choose how they will use it.
Don’t get us wrong though, many of us would love to receive cash instead of an item. Just because the act is pretty outright doesn’t mean it’s thought less. Some of us would offer money as a gift because we know it’s what the receiver needs. That, in itself, is already considered a well-thought-of gift.
Buying a gift versus giving cash as a gift
When we give money as a gift, we can also teach the person to be wiser with their choices. We naturally put more value on the things given to us. We become particular with how we use or spend it. That’s one of the advantages of giving money as a gift. In this pandemic, many of us would avoid going through the Christmas craze of buying gifts at malls. It is safer and convenient since we also don’t have to brave the traffic.
Some people would really find time to think things through. The traditional gift givers would usually take on the challenge of finding the best gift. They put all the effort needed to ensure that the present they intend to offer will capture their appreciation or love for the receiver. For them, the act of giving includes taking the time and effort to know what would be best for someone.
Rule of thumb in giving gifts
We all have our own rules in giving gifts, a little bit of common sense would really help you weed out your options. But if you are still having a hard time thinking about what gifts to give, go for something that would make your receiver feel your love, kindness, and appreciation—nothing beats receiving such, after all.
Whether you’re a gift giver adapting to the changes around us, or a traditional one, you should always bear in mind that the gesture is far more important than the offering. A gift is given out of a free will, and that’s the best thing about it. Our gifts are just symbols of our kindheartedness—and there is nothing more precious than receiving kindness from others.