gifting

  How do you feel about handmade gifts? I'm talking about beyond all the sentiment and it's the thought that counts stuff. Do you really feel that way? I admit I don't always feel that way at all, there are times when I just smile and say thank you. If the gift is from a child it is always the appropriate thing to do, act thrilled and lavish them with praise for such a job well done. At what age do you feel that should end, if ever? Personally I will never let on to anyone at any age that I'm less than pleased. Secretly I may harbor a different thought altogether, depending. I do feel guilty at times because I am being less than honest but it's justifiable deceit; right. That's what I tell myself.

  Now from the giving side of that situation I do like to give handmade gifts when that gift holds a special meaning to myself. What I mean by that, I'm extending a sentiment to you. It is something I want to share with you in the hopes that you will feel the same attachment as I do. That's what sentiment is all about, attachment. I'm giving a small piece of me when I give those sort of gifts. I do feel like it is a risk however. A risk to myself. You may reject that sentiment altogether. That means I missed the mark. A gift is meant to bring pleasure to the one receiving it. A delicate balance exists between sentiment and indifference. 

  As a child the best gifts I ever received were the ones I asked for. Whether I had written to Santa Claus or simply circled the item in the Sears wish book, getting those were the best. My siblings and I sometimes made things for each other simply because we had no money. That didn't happen much though as mom or dad usually slipped us a few bucks. I had a couple aunts that helped out in that area too. I always had to do some "job" for them to earn that money. It was supposed to teach me responsibility and the value of a dollar. I'm not sure that lesson took but I always agreed. As I grew older the best gifts were the ones I didn't expect. They were those "thoughtful" ones we all hear about. It was a part of the lesson taught to me as a child. Think about what the person you intend giving that gift to would like, not what you like. The old, stand in their shoes thing. 

  The strange thing is when you reach a certain age you don't even think about gifts anymore. I don't look for, expect or tell anyone I want this or that. I don't even enjoy buying gifts for others anymore. It isn't about the money, but that is certainly a factor to be considered, but about giving them what they might like. For adults that is a difficult thing, usually it is just a simple trinket type of thing, a joke or some amusement. In these modern times you just give a gift card and call it a wrap. Gift giving has lost its' luster as far as I'm concerned. I do try to give that gift that holds some meaning beyond a purchase. Hence, the handmade gifts. And it isn't always something I actually made but something I may possess. An object of some type I have decided to pass to you for safe keeping. That's the sentiment part. But is that what you want? How do you really feel about that? 

  Brigham Young, the founder and leader of the church of Mormon said, "love the giver more than the gift" That is the risk we take in gift giving isn't it?