December with its ‘soft rays of winter sun’ and the Yuletide spirit spreading good cheer, is also the ‘gifting’ time as we all rack our brains to find the right ones for the right occasion andpeople, with all the weddings, birthdays, anniversaries & celebratory events that take place.
What started this benevolent tradition we’ve been observing since childhood but which has acquired its own branding, class and style with time ? Interestingly, the practice of giving gifts dates back to the beginning of human civilization and may even predate it. Some believe that cavemen gave gifts to strengthen social connections and show appreciation, such as by giving animal teeth or unusual shaped rocks. Having come a long way, it’s customary in all societies that gifts accompany festivals, functions, events, parties or achievements worth celebrating !
Like all things that spell good taste, choosing right gifts for the occasion is also a fine art that often can bear the signature of the giver. While favourites are items like apparels, jewellery junkets, showpieces, kitchenware&home appliances, a ‘special’ gift is a thoughtful, unique one that shows a deep understanding of the recipient’s interests or needs. It’s more than a generic gift and demonstrates genuine care and effort. There’s the old cliché that says ‘It’s the heartfelt gesture that matters most’ for its intrinsic value !
As a music lover, loved ones and well-wishers have bowled me over time with sets of audio tapes, CDs, ear-phones, head phones, speakers and also books on music legends & their art.In the last few years, my Son & D-in-law having had their fill of tees, kurtas, jackets, have been gifting old classics in hard bound because of my penchant for reading&writing !Some of the most heartwarming gifts come from small children for their parents like a smudged painting of Daddy or handmade craft curated for Mummy based on their imagination. As they grow older, they become sensitive to their parent’s tastes and needs.
But at times best efforts can bring disastrous results – I remember when as young school going siblings, my two elder sisters decided that Dad should be gifted a pair of black leather shoes on his birthday. They boldly placed an order from a nearby shoe-maker without researching Dad’s foot size. When the grand moment came to surprise him, Dad was most displeased at the ‘clod-hoppers’ presented to him. But later he acknowledged our ‘good’ intentions’. In our extended Sinha family spread far and wide, distances have never stopped exchange of gifts. We admire our wonderful nieces & nephews who plan exotic trips for their parents as gifts !
The expression of love & devotion is often packaged in unique forms. A few years ago, I had given a surprise party on my wife’s milestone 60th birthday. Not to be outdone, she prepared heart & soul for my 70th, contacting old friends, sending invites, collaborating with my niece for all the arrangements & preparing the action plan, dextrously keeping me out of the loop.Agrandluncheon affair, everyone was regaled & treated to great food. It was her gift of love.
Ultimately, gifts are also grace and goodwill that people bestow on us. Just recently, blessings came to me in form a beautiful diary and calendar with sayings from the ‘Divine Mother’. It was a beautiful gift from friendsUdayanda& Rajashri Mukherji of Kolkata, on my birthday !
Working on Living 