Gifts that won’t break your heart and your purse

Years ago, friends arranged a blind date for me.  He was incredibly funny and kind.  He also sang well.  He invited me to his high school reunion concert where he joined his former classmates up on stage.  When he took the microphone to sing a love song, I saw the audience — mostly female — swoon and sigh.  But in that jam-packed auditorium, I knew that the song was meant for me alone.

The next day, I got a long-playing album of The Lettermen and my favorite dark chocolates.  The note read, “Listen to track 8.  It’s what I wish you for Christmas.”  I lifted the needle to no. 8,   “What can I give you for Christmas?  Something soft like the sound of your name?  I’ll give you the hush of a falling snow as it settles to the ground.    Something sparkling to go with your eyes?  I’ll give you the light of the yuletide star from the cold December skies.”

Sweet, huh?  Even now, when I hear that song being played on the radio, I smile and the memories come drifting back.

No one can put a price tag on happy and warm thoughts.  You simply savor the moment as it gets better and better with each passing year.

But retail shops won’t like that.  To them, the sweetest sound is the ringing of the cash register, coaxing us to buy; the more expensive, the deeper is one’s degree of affection? 

Don’t be hoodwinked by this material hype.  There are gifts that won’t cost a centavo.  They come free and are available anytime, anywhere.  Like:

• The gift of listening. Lend your ear, no interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning a response.  Simply listen.

Whenever I talk to my grandchildren, I can actually hear their voices smile.  They tell (and show) me about the latest puzzles solved, a new dress for a lookalike doll, even the Santa costume for a resident cat called Lucky Gooey Magoo who adopted me!  The excitement is in the sharing, the sound of laughter and unbridled delight. 

• The gift of affection. Be generous with hugs, kisses, pats on the back, and tight grips.  Let these little gestures demonstrate the love you have for one another.

Did you know that there are 101 ways to praise a child?  I often used “good job” and “you’re fabulous” until I discovered the other 99 phrases.

• The gift of laughter. Cut out cartoons, share funny stories, download in YouTube funny scenes especially of I Love Lucy and Dolphy.  Your gift will say, “I love to laugh with you.”

My husband has this infectious laugh that makes me want to roll along with him even if I have no idea of what he’s laughing about.  The funny part is I end up laughing harder and louder.  The same goes for my friends.  Never a dry eye, never a dry moment whenever we laugh together.

• The gift of a written note.  As simple as “Thanks for your friendship” or “Thinking of you.”  It touches the heart and may even change a life.  Nowadays, it’s a text message.  A friend asked me what’s the meaning of xoxo.  I replied, “Hugs and kisses.”  She uses this now as her signature.

• The gift of a compliment.  Just a sincere “You look great today; superb job; what a wonderful meal; Galing talaga” can turn someone’s day.  On your next meal, say this:  “Thank you, Jesus, for our nice food and bless the cook.”  Your meal is guaranteed to taste sweeter and you will have a happy, inspired cook in front of the hot stove.

• The gift of a favor. Go out of your way to do something kind for someone. At the beginning of a new day, say, “Lord, whatever good I can do, let me do it now.”  You’ll never know if this would be your last day, so better grab it to do or pass on something good.

Once, I had to take my daughter to the ER.  Fortunately, my inaanak Gabby Santos was a resident of the hospital.  He met me at the ER entrance and got the medicine and treatment organized in the first 10 minutes of our arrival.  If I were a car, I was on automatic mode.  I didn’t have to think, analyze or ask questions.  My inaanak did it all for me. 

• The gift of solitude. These are the times when we want nothing more than to be left alone.  Be sensitive to those times and walk on tiptoe, speak softly, and let everyone take a break.  Tuning in to soothing music leaves me recharged and invigorated.

• The gift of a cheerful disposition.  Fill your day with happy thoughts.  When Gianna, my granddaughter, was born, her Papa/Lolo had this habit of playing with words to make her smile.  Because her name rhymed with banana, he’d sing, “If you like Giannita banana and getting caught in the rain,” a take on Jimmy Buffett’s piña colada song.  The same for grandsons Gino fondly called Ginosky, Thorion called Thor-tuga, and eldest grandson Gabriel called Gabingbong, all sang in his distinctive baritone voice — not necessarily in tune.  I’d always say, “Freeze that thought!”  The feel-good words lift the spirit and brighten our days. 

They say that in every gift you give, you wrap a little of yourself in it.  The precious and the more meaningful ones wouldn’t cost you anything.

Shop ’til you drop and leave your cash and plastic card behind.  You won’t need them.