The Joy of Gifts

Receiving gifts is always such a joy. It is heartwarming and just nice lol. 

I have been thinking a lot about gift-giving. And it's timely because the holiday season is just around the corner. 

I remember one particular gift when I was a child, my beloved mother bought me pink shoes. I actually had a dream that she had bought me pink sneaker-like sandals and that she had put them under the bed. I woke up that morning and looked under the bed and then the whole house and started crying about my shoes. My sisters kept telling me there were no such shoes but I was so convinced Mum had bought me these pick shoes. When Mum got back from work that evening, she actually brought with her the pink sandals-like shoes I had dreamt about. I am not sure if one of my sisters told her about me crying for the shoes or I had dreamt my gift into reality. Those pick shoes hold such a beautiful memory of one of the best gifts I have ever received. 

Another unforgettable gift came from my uncle after I graduated from high school. He gave me my first phone. I was excited, not just by the gift itself but by what it represented: his acknowledgment and support. This gift meant that my uncle was finally giving me permission to have a phone but it also meant a lot to me because it was a symbol of how proud my uncle was of all my academic achievements thus far.  I also remember the time when Philip, my high school friend bought me earrings. We must have been in grade 9 by then. I was so grateful for his gift, but my ears were not pierced so it was actually funny, we both laughed about it but it was a memorable gift nonetheless. 

Gift-giving, for me, is both exciting and challenging. I want each gift to carry meaning and, ideally, to be a surprise. I hope it’s something they truly wanted or needed, even if they didn’t know it themselves. I spend a lot of time considering what would fit the theme of the occasion, whether it’s a birthday, a graduation, or Christmas. A meaningful gift should reflect the moment and the connection between the giver and the receiver.

Some of the most precious gifts I’ve received have been intangible: the support of family and friends, conversations that healed, advice that lifted me, words of wisdom, and shared songs. A handwritten letter or a song sung from the heart can be just as meaningful as any physical item. It’s the thought and the time someone puts into a gift, even if it’s just a word of encouragement, that makes it special.

So, how do you approach gift-giving? Do you like surprising others, or do you prefer to ask what they want? And if you’re my friend or family member—what kind of gift would you like to receive from me? What’s one of the most memorable gifts you’ve ever been given?

For me, every gift, tangible or intangible, is a reminder that someone thought of me. And for that, I am deeply grateful.