Meaningful Christmas Gifts

As a Christmas tradition, gift-giving takes the most of our energies, money and time. Busy working parents tirelessly stay up to the very last minute buying and wrapping presents – and in return get to watch the joy of little kiddies animatedly tearing open their reward for being good throughout the year.  After all has been unwrapped, we vow to avoid the Christmas rush next year only to be challenged once again by the variety of goods peddled in our face.

More than a Christmas tradition, gift-giving is deeply personal and meaningful. After all, a gift is a part of us that we part with – it’s our energy passed on to a loved one, including in between this, our energy that benefits manufacturers and all the people involved in getting goods to us.  Sadly, it is easy to fall into a stressful deadline and well orchestrated consumer trap and totally miss so much more of its joys – especially if pressed with a huge list or high expectations.

Here are a few reminders for a more meaningful Christmas giving:

1. Be a wise and creative giver. A gift is actually your extension (your thoughts, your money and time) so give yourself time to reflect on how you identify yourself with a material object worthy of sharing to another. A gift can also be a gift of service. Jesus without earthly wealth, washed the feet of his apostles.

2. Be a most gracious receiver. With any gift, whatever size or price tag or functionality to you, consider the giver who has spared a thought and given their energy just for you. The best way to show appreciation for a gift is by actually using it. Acknowledge the giver in person or through a photo in facebook for example. More than saying thank you, tell the giver what difference the gift will make to you or your daily living, how you intend to use it. This sparks the energy cycle even more. Princess Elizabeth Asquith Bibesco said, give without remembering, accept without forgetting.

3. Mother Teresa said give, but give until it hurts.  I dont’ think she means hurting your pocket. By using a credit card to purchase gifts, you are giving energy that you will still have to earn. Depending on your intention, a meaningful gift comes from what you already have, which is now and not the future.

4. A gift is not a favour to be returned. We may feel comfortable giving a gift but not receiving a gift, especially if we don’t have a gift to give back. The cycle of gift giving is not a circle. It flows through you or through another, or to a common reserve of human goodwill.

Something good can still be made from unwanted Christmas gifts. Social entrepreneur Dave Ingles through the Ateneo de Manila University has launched a landmark campaign for donations of Christmas gifts that are unlikely to be used, to be auctioned and to raise funds for feeding programs and typhoon survivors.  Because we do this every year, we still have a chance to be better givers next Christmas. Happy new hopes for 2012!