Unwrapped

There’s something strange about looking at Halloween decorations while listening to Christmas carols. Actually, just hearing Christmas carols in October is pretty weird. Christmas is two whole months away yet the last time I was in the mall, Silent Night was playing in every other store I went to. It’s ridiculous, but I started to get excited about Christmas. I started imagining simbang gabi, the blow of the December wind, our Christmas tree, reunions and cute new red tops. I started making a gift list in my head, and then realized that I had to think of gifts to give. Again. Suddenly, Christmas didn’t seem too far away.

Don’t get me wrong; I love giving gifts. I don’t like giving just anything. I usually think hard before I even buy a gift. I try to remember the recipients’ favorites, little things that they like, things that they mentioned and even jokes between us. I may not be excellent in wrapping but I really make an effort so that people will appreciate my gift. It’s not only during Christmas that I’m faced with the gift-giving dilemma. All throughout the year, all kinds of occasions happen. Birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day...never-ending red-letter days on my calendar. All those times, I have to think of gifts for my loved ones. Sometimes, I get lucky and find something really cool to give, but there are also those frantic moments that I’ve scoured the entire mall and still haven’t found anything to give. Especially when I’m shopping for guys! Why are guys so hard to shop for? When you ask them what they want, they shrug and say, "Anything." At that point, I give up and give them their favorite chocolates.

I think that’s my problem. It takes me a while to finish getting gifts because I really want people to like my gift. It would be a waste for me to get whatever then expect the person who’s receiving it to actually like it, right? I’ve tried it all—homemade gifts, food, special "gift certificates," a package of different gifts, dog-shaped balloons and even fly swatters! (I gave it to a friend I had nicknamed Dengue.) I believe gift-giving is not only an art, but also a way to show someone how you feel about them. Obviously, you wouldn’t give your best friend the same thing you would give an acquaintance, right? If you take the time out to buy a really special gift for someone, then that person is special, too!

Sometimes I wish it were as easy as getting a Hallmark card — every sentiment that you feel is perfectly expressed on paper, sometimes even in rhyme! Unfortunately, picking the perfect gifts can be hard work, especially when you’re pressed for time. A lot of people find the whole thing a burden. They hate having to give gifts so they end up giving not-so-nice presents. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve gotten pillows, frames, figurines and candles. They’re really standard gifts and you can expect to receive at least one each year. There was one year that I got eight pillows on Christmas. I received seven bags the following year, then 11 candles the next. Talk about originality! I still laugh when I think of the huge pile of pillows on my bed that year (I had to pack most of them away because it was very difficult to sleep with them) and all the candles in my bathroom. I actually loved all the bags and pillows I got, but the candles were a different story. Every time I opened a box and found a candle inside, I started laughing. Really, I was appreciative of the gift, but I’m not really a candle person. I didn’t know what to do with candles except put them on my desk. I already had enough figurines to fill my desk so I just moved my growing candle collection to the bathroom. They’re very helpful when I want to take a bath while it’s brownout. (Ooh. Candlelit bath.)

They say it’s the thought that counts. People have interpreted this as "As long as I give you something, it counts." Does it really count when gift-givers hardly think about the present they’re about to give? Yes, it’s the thought that counts—a gift is so much better when it’s well thought out. Don’t you just love it when you get a gift you really want or a gift that’s obviously bought for you? Now, I’m not really asking for Rachel Ashwell-type gifts (although that would be nice) but I just wish more people would give a lot more thought to giving gifts. Gifts don’t have to be expensive or profoundly moving. Simple yet thoughtful gifts can really touch someone. When buying gifts, think of the person you’re going to give it to. Look for gifts in places other than the mall — look in the supermarket if you think you’ll get inspired! The best advice I’ve gotten about gift giving? Give something you’d like to receive yourself. We’ve got two months until Christmas. Happy gift-giving!