“Exchange gifts” – whether
straight-up random exchanging of gifts among participants, “Kris Kringle”, “Secret
Santa”, “Manito/Manita”, or whatever
variation of it – is a popular feature of the current Christmas season culture we
are familiar with. When done right, it
is incredibly fun for everyone. However,
when commercialism starts touching the activity, prices of the gifts are
compared and assessed; murmuring and frowns are stirred; disappointment is
cultivated on the hearts; and, worst of all, goodwill is ruined – thus, the
whole point of “exchange gifts” is killed.
A price standard is set. “The gift should be worth at least 100 pesos!” We prepare a good gift. The gift we prepared might even significantly
exceed 100 pesos. And we expect that the
gift we receive in return at least matches the quality and worth of the gift we
give. We don’t want to get terrible clichéd
gifts such as calendars, photo albums, or picture frames. Mugs are tolerated… if of good value or
design. Then, we rage if the worth of
the gift we receive is obviously less than the agreed price standard.
If this is our attitude, well, we
should definitely change it. Because it’s
appalling.
This is also true the other way
around: those who intentionally give inferior gifts; who are so cheap to buy
something around the decided price standard, making no effort of preparing
their best – just preparing something for the sake qualifying for the “exchange
gifts”, to exchange their bad gifts for something superior.
Both cases are wrong because both
have the same wrong purpose in participating in “exchange gifts”… and that is,
to be able to RECEIVE SOMETHING, and NOT to be able to GIVE SOMETHING.
Seriously, isn’t Christmas about
GIVING? (That’s why commercialism – with
Santa Claus serving as its mascot manifestation – is the greatest threat to the
true meaning of Christmas. Commercialism
encourages the expectation of receiving and materialism.)
If everyone’s heart for joining “exchange
gifts” is for having the chance to GIVE somebody an awesome gift, then it shall
be a very special activity. There will
be good cheer all around. Bonds and
goodwill between participants are strengthened.
Christmas love shall abound.
If we receive an awesome gift,
then good! But even if we only receive a
picture frame or a gift valued lower than the agreed price standard, our cheer
should remain intact since our main purpose and joy was preparing a great gift
that would put the recipient in high spirits.
Receiving an awesome gift in return is just a bonus.
I feel terrible whenever this happens:
Someone poor or currently struggling financially, for the sake of Christmas
good cheer, decides to join the “exchange gift”. He or she prepares something less than or
just exactly the set gift value. This
could even be one of the frowned-upon gifts of picture frames and mugs – because
they’re the only things he or she can afford.
After the gifts are exchanged, the recipient of this poor participant’s
gift opens it, and then after seeing the contents, he or she openly – consciously
or not – shows his or her displeasure through words or facial expression. The poor participant, witnessing this, gets humiliated
and heartbroken.
And my heart breaks with them.
Of course, I would prefer to receive a great gift on “exchange gifts”. I even loudly state oftentimes – jokingly, of
course – that I don’t want to receive a picture frame. But if the fun and goodwill of it will be
ruined because of participants who care more of what they get, I would choose to
be the one who receive those inexpensive but sincere gifts from the poor,
struggling participants. I really don’t
mind at all what I would get in return – if any at all. You see, I could be selfish the rest of the
year, but when it comes to Christmas – my favorite time of the year – I know
how to celebrate it and have the heart for it.
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