Chapter 9.6 Gift Giving

Gift Giving

“It is better to give than to receive.”

Bible, Book 20         Apostle Paul

I don’t know how many times I’ve gotten something for a gift that I didn’t need, didn’t want … Did this ever happen to anyone else out there?  I smile and say I like it (“oh you shouldn’t have!” is a good expression that keeps you from lying.).  The gift-giver smiles and glows with pride … oh they really know me … boy, did they do a good job!  I now have something to take back, or to remember to pull out on their next visit.  The givers are full of satisfaction, successfully completing their task of showing up with a gift.  It IS better to give than receive.

“How painful to give a gift to any person of sensibility, or of equality! It is next worst to receiving one.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)            American Writer

Of course, unless I’m the giver.  The whole process of buying and giving gifts is a big anxiety for me.  My wife says that the reason that I have trouble is that I only get to the mall one or two times a year, and hence I get no ideas of things to buy.  The truth of the matter is that if I don’t list out who needs a gift, an “idea” wouldn’t strike me if I saw it.

Of course this simply baffles my wife.  When we travel, and I become a shopper (carrier), she amazes me.  She’ll be in some little shop and see something that we could buy for a friend for the holidays … six months from now.  My theory that they may buy it in the meantime doesn’t hold water when we are in a foreign country.  The oft-proven rule (at least through our experiences) is that you better buy it when you see it because you won’t see it again (even if you have to carry it with you the whole trip.

But even at home, it doesn’t matter.  You see, she has a gift for this person and she can take them off her mental list.  Sometimes it seems to me that the important thing is to have the gift, not what it is, although I must say that she usually makes pretty good picks.

“The manner of giving is worth more than the gift.”

Pierre Corneille (1606-1684)           French Dramatist

So here I am waiting to get this revelation on “the perfect gift” and the days are running out before the birthday or the holidays.  I’m racking my brain, and sweating bullets, and usually come up with something half-baked that I can give.  It isn’t that I don’t care for the person … it’s just that I don’t want to be a giver of gifts that the person doesn’t want to receive, one that they will smile and say “Oh you shouldn’t have!” It isn’t any better to give than to receive, if you don’t have good ideas what to give.

Now, giving to a truthfully good cause or charity (my rule is less than 10% for admin and marketing,) a cause that helps people with few resources and limited hope … yes this is a good reason to give.  If you can see the direct fruits of your sharing, it does give one a feeling of richness.

“Down in their hearts, wise men know this truth: the only way to help yourself is to help others.”

Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915)          Publisher, writer

Probably one of the great accomplishments we can make in our lives is to share what we have with others, be it knowledge, resources, or time.  When you help someone, his and her gratitude is genuine.  Even though you feel pretty good as the giver, they probably feel pretty good receiving also.  It can be your chance to feel like an angel. It’s wonderful to give to those that need to receive because both parties feel positive …  the act is good all the way around … and beyond.

“How far that little candle throws its beams!  So shines a good deed in a weary world.”

William Shakespeare(1564-1616) English Playwright

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