Gift with love

Tired of receiving shoddy and thoughtless gifts, Shiivaani Mahajan discovers how receiving with dignity is as important as gifting with respect and consideration.

- Shiivaani Mahajan

Gift. The very mention of the word conjures images of glittering wrapping sheets, satin ribbon bows, and an exciting surprise underneath that attractive packaging. But does reality always match the expectation? Have you ever been disheartened after untying the pack? Or have you always been a fortunate receiver?

There’s much more to gifting and receiving gifts than meets the eye. There is no denying the fact that it is the thought behind the gift that matters, for it reflects the heart, mind, and soul of the giver. I discovered this the hard way through exposure to the dynamics of gifting as a wife, a daughter-in-law, and, most importantly, a mother. A few bitter experiences were enough to nudge me into an introspective journey on the psychology of gifting. I soon realised the wilful ways of the world when people dumped thoughtless gifts on me and my children. There were times when close family and friends gifted us with fake gold bangles, a redundant tea set, a grimy bedsheet, a used sprout maker, trashy outfits, visibly used toys, and even expired edibles. I would be appalled and enraged by their impertinent behaviour.

Gifts that hurt

And what could be worse than the guest or friend bringing a token of love for one child, while callously ignoring the existence of the other! It tormented the mother in me and the dejected look on my child’s face filled me with vindictiveness towards the insensitive visitor. I would rather they not give anything to both my kids than commit this unpardonable act. And I must say it takes some audacity to break an innocent heart, just to save a few nickels.