Life’s Lessons

More than a month to go and it’s new year again. I am beginning to plan what I will give to my family and relatives on New Year. It’s been a yearly tradition for our relatives in Mamang’s side to give gifts on New Year’s eve. Last year, I and Ace bought toys for the kids, flip flops for the guys, umbrella for the gals, coin purse for my older cousins, vanity kits for my aunts including Inang (my grandma) and hand towels for my uncles including Tatang (my grandpa). Last month, I told Ace I wanted to give my aunts a handbag and I hope I could save enough to buy them handbags.

I always wanted to give to my relatives because it feels different to give than just to receive. All of them are happy even for a little thing that we hand to them and they appreciate that gesture so much. It’s one of my simple joys. Seeing them use or keep what I and Ace gave them is another happiness that we feel. More than a couple of times, I felt bad about giving to someone and they will give what you have given to others. I felt I have wasted money for them so now I am thinking if I’ll include them in the list or not. There’s no problem with me if the recepient of the gift gives out the thing to others because it doesn’t fit them or they simply cannot use it. But if they give it to others because it’s not the style that they want or because they have no other things to give out to their loved ones then it’s another story. And worst of all, seeing them wrap that thing to be given out to others is the most disappointing. Though after giving a thing as a gift, I should not have the right for that anymore, I don’t know why I am really disappointed with that kind of attitude. Maybe because we have different views on gift-giving with respect to the giver and to the thing that they received.

Oh, I have ranted too early. Anyway, I haven’t decided yet what to wrap for Ace. A wrist watch would be a good find for him because the wrist watch I have given him the other year was broken. I wish I could give him a Patek Philippe – one of the best wrist watches on earth and one of the most expensive I bet (in my dreams!) but that would remain as a dream. I would get him a cheaper one instead.

[ad#ad-3post]