The Art of Gifting

Their eyes lit up when they saw the packs of cakes, cookies, cute masks and sanitizers. They didn’t know what to say, but their faces were an expression of gratitude. They could not see Sanaa’s smile, as it was hidden in a mask similar to the ones she was giving to them. After giving packaged cakes, Sanaa ran back to her mother, Neha. Sanaa’s eyes were also lit up and she felt a huge wave of happiness and pride.

Neha was in tears too. Just a day before, Akshay, her husband brought a lot of masks for their household staff. They discussed in front of their children, how with increase in activities around, their staff could be at risk of getting coronavirus.

It so happened that while playing in her balcony, Sanaa noticed the three children sitting on a footpath across the street. They sat sadly in the corner, huddled together amongst the dirt. 8-year old Sanaa could hear her mother calling her for lunch, but she couldn’t take her eyes off those three children who sat hungry and alone. She ran to the kitchen, told her mother about them and quickly sprinted off with packed cakes and a few new masks.

She didn’t know who they were. But she knew that this simple act of giving did something wonderfully special. She wasn’t sure if she was happieror those three children!

Do you love gifts?

Of course, we all love getting gifts. Who doesn’t like a big box wrapped in glossy paper with a string waiting for us on special days, such as our birthday, Diwali or Christmas or the return gifts too, we get on the special parties. But have you wondered, when we gift someone, they feel just the same, super happy!Have you given some gifts to your cousins and friends and seen their happiness?

Oh yes, the three children didn’t get a gift box wrapped in a shiny paper. But what they got from Sanaa was what they needed the most. And so here is something else that we discover about gifts. A true gift is what you thoughtfully give what a person really needs or has been wanting for a long time.

Gifting your near and dear ones

The internet is full of gifting ideas. But this is not just another year. So much has changed in the last few months. With coronavirus and social distancing rules, we are not having so many parties and get-togethers, as last year. So, we have to gift from online stores and get them delivered to our cousins, friends, grandparents and other dear ones. Here are some important tips:

• Choose authentic organic products for gifting.
• Make personalized cards for your grandparents and cousins.
• Do online shopping in your parents’ presence, as they will exercise cyber caution.
• Be very sure of the address of your friends and relatives, so that they receive their gift in time.
• Click your pictures and videos in the colourful attires. Decorate them with personal messages. Nothing delights the dear ones especially grandparents more than seeing their grandchildren dressed up for their favourite festival.

 Gifting those who need the most

Children look up to their parents. In this case Sanaa saw her parents Neha and Akshaymaking arrangements for the safety for their staff in the form of gifts. A lot of people are finding it hard to meet their expenses due to shutdowns. In such times, let’s adopt the art of the gifting, gifting what they need.

• Let’s start by giving things we have in plenty to people who have little of it. You know the good quality clothes that you have outgrown or last year’s school bag and pencil box that is lying in your cupboard forgotten.
• How about collecting items from your home that you don’t need, such as bed sheets, utensils, towels, toys etc. and then donating these to NGO’s or homes and orphanages.
• Good quality masks, sanitizers, soaps etc. would be required by everyone this year.
• There are many NGOs working towards reducing pollution and increasing organic footprint. Learn from your parents and donate online to them.

Gifts that are not ‘just things’

But the art of gifting is not about just giving things. It is a much deeper emotion. Your gifts and messages should make the other person feel special.Gift your time and art to your grandparents and relatives. Be aware of the needs of the others and act accordingly. When you give thoughtful gifts, you will see that you receive in return bundles of boundless happiness and prayers.