My latest experience in gift giving was buying a birthday gift for my sister. I really had no idea what to buy;
she is not the easiest to shop for. So I bought her a gift that keeps on giving – an iPod. What do I mean by a gift
that keeps on giving? Two days after I gave her the fabulous iPod, she has used it maybe twice, and I pretty much
use it every day! This is one of those good news/bad news gift-giving stories. Good news: I have an iPod, and its
name is Shiny. Bad news: My sister got half a gift, and she didn’t know it until she got it…and then lost it!
The reason for my story is that I want to help you get in the right frame of mind about gift giving and receiving.
#1: It’s the thought that counts!
When receiving a gift, you should always
remember the only reason you were given one is
because that person cares about you. Wait!! Don’t
stop reading. I’m not getting preachy. All I’m saying
is the best way to receive a gift is to always be
gracious and grateful. I’ve given a bad gift before,
and after I realized that they hated it, I felt worse
about it than they did. It’s OK if you don’t like it,
just don’t be mean about it.
#2: Karma!
It’s not just about receiving gifts but also about
giving them. And here is where the phrase “What
goes around, comes around” becomes relevant.
The best gifts are the most thoughtful ones, so
when you are out shopping for a gift, put some
thought into it. You don’t even have to make it
about buying a present. You can make a gift or
make spending time with a person a gift too.
Remember, everybody loves hanging out with
people they like, and memories will last longer
than any gift you can buy.
#3: Gifts you get every year
There are certain gifts we receive every year.
I have yet to understand why, but now all I can
think when I open a present and see three bars of
fruity soap, and foot lotion is “Do I smell?
Seriously, do I have a B.O. problem?” Because it’s
happened more than once, and it’s getting a little
old, I’m going to be presumptuous here and
assume that recurring gifts, like bath products,
are a sign of lazy gift giving. And I’d like to think
that I don’t smell. What else do I have to say
about this? Make the effort, don’t be lazy and get
them something else — anything else. And NO
BATH PRODUCTS for me, please.
#4: Not getting what you want
OK, I’m going to put it out there. Are you
ready? Sometimes the majority of gifts you get
are the exact opposite of what you want.
I know, I’ve been there, and it’s no fun. It may
have happened to you as a kid, or it’s still
happening to you now. Truth is — this is a
reality we all must face. All I can say is, no
matter how bad the gift is, it is still better than
not getting anything at all. I don’t have to tell
you how fortunate you are to be getting gifts in
the first place. You all know that already! And
with that, I’ll spare you the preaching about
how grateful you should be. So, be happy you
are loved and that someone thought of getting
you something, no matter how stupid you think
it may be.
#5: Mistrust
As I mentioned, my sister is not the easiest to
shop for. Why? Because she never tells me
what she wants! When someone asks you what
you would like as a gift, suggest a few things.
There is always something that you want,
whether it’s a new shirt, CD or an accessory.
Make sure you speak up or you’ll never receive
what you secretly dream of. At the same time,
don’t go overboard with the requests, or you’ll
get nothing. Trust me.
Catch Joy Olimpo on YTV's GirlzTV. And one of our good friends, Joy has joined Faze on exciting trips to places like San Diego and Tobago!!!
:-)
