Of Gift Giving

Ah yes, it is the time of gifting carnage.I’m struggling to get in the Festive spirit this year. I'm close, but just not quite there. There is so much pressure on people to give to others. And quite frankly, the ‘others’ may be people you’re not particularly fond of and avoid for most of the year.I have managed to cull my list down greatly for the Christmas focus. Thankfully.My ex and I do manage to spend far too much on our kids even after having decided on a dollar figure we’re not going to exceed. Ah well. We do love them much after all. I think that is the parents perogative.I thought I’d tell a story about my gift-giving legacy. I’m historically really bad at it.So it's my ex’s birthday. The first one shared. You know, the critically important ‘make a good impression’ birthday. The 'show her and her millionaire parents that you'll be able to provide for her' birthday.Well. I gave her Ponds Cold Cream. Yep. Needless to say it didn’t go down all that well.“Where’s the real present?” (cue: sheer panic).In my defence (maybe it’s indefensible?), I was fresh out of Palmerston North, and a couple of months earlier we’d gone through the local Farmers store and she’d pointed it out saying “I really need some of that, but its too expensive.”Come ON!! I was paying attention. Surely that counts for something???Perhaps not. Sigh.Lesson learned though. I haven’t made that mistake again.It all evens out though as I have been the recipient of some very odd gifts from family members.There was the underwear combined with a corporate-emblazoned diary and pen, from my sister, for Christmas.There was a saucepan. (on my 21st).There was a rollery, scrapy thing that was carefullyand beautifully wrapped. And to this day I have no idea what it is or what it is for.And soap. I have been given soap.Yep.Gifts can be a little... surprising, can't they?One of the things I was quite pleased about achieving, with much extended family argument, is that we limit gifts to just nephews and nieces. It simply was getting too stupidly expensive. However, in the years since negotiating this and the present, I’ve stopped breeding and my siblings haven’t. I didn’t think it through all that well.So on to the best part of giving. I have learned to take the time to consider people, research a little bit, and do something nice for them. Something that means something.Maybe that is what my problem is today. I’m too tired to consider. I’ll work on that.So to all of you, I wish you much success in your gift acquiring. I hope you enjoy focussing on the people you’re buying for. I’ll get there I’m sure.- S