The best part about the holidays is spending time expressing one’s appreciation, and what better way to do this than by giving gifts? The action of searching for the perfect personalized present is an act of affection, a special opportunity that far exceeds the satisfaction one may feel when receiving a gift. Being able to show how much effort and care is put into giving is the spirit of the holidays. Seeing someone’s excitement unwrapping something that was secretly purchased or created is quite the thrill.
Sometimes the greatest gift of all is being understood. Part of what goes into great gift giving is to show off how well you know someone, and having the opportunity to know how well you listen is such a unique thing. Counselor Brandon Benjamin has felt the joy of gifting a thoughtful present firsthand. He said, “My sister recently got a ticket for texting while driving, so I got her a cell phone mount for her car.” This simple gift made a big difference. “It’s nice knowing my gift is being used to help out,” said Benjamin. Frankly, the best gifts are the ones people least expect. Now, every time he is in his sister’s car, Benjamin notices that his gift is appreciated.
Gift giving doesn’t always have to be confined to the “season of giving.” Senior Tayler Nguyen, Vice President of Key Club, said that his family donates hundreds of dollars to the Pediatric Trauma Program each year. The nonprofit organization partners with Rady’s Children’s hospital to reduce the amount of deaths in children. “It feels good knowing that we are able to help a group of people and that makes me happy, making that difference,” said Nguyen. Their donations extend beyond the holidays, he mentioned, as “…whatever money we don’t use we are giving it year round.” This shows that how much and what you give is really unique and may best be shown through a gift regardless of the occasion.
Some may argue that it takes a lot of effort to give gifts and prefer the convenience of just receiving something, which can be understandable when one forgets to consider the dialogue that can be conveyed through a gift. The giver is able to share a strong message, showing how they feel towards the person receiving the present. Sometimes it can be hard to use words to describe emotions and finding a book from their favorite author or a record that they love does all the telling. Furthermore, the pressure to be expected to like a gift received is one of the most uncomfortable parts of the holidays. Why favor a tradition of regifting when passion and care is what gift giving should really be about?
It’s undeniable that giving is the best way to show you care. The ability to completely focus on the other person and bring them joy finding what makes them most happy is the greatest gift of all. Whether it’s something handmade and personal or a helpful gadget, gifts amount to making someone really feel loved, making the feeling of giving a present much more satisfying than that of receiving one.