It's that time of the year.

The time when everyone is busy planning their holidays and shopping for gifts for their loved ones.

The year end is the most welcomed time by everyone; whether you're an adult or a child.
For the children, school's out for at least a month or so (at least it is in most parts of the world), while for the adults, it is just that part of the year where things start to slow down as things come to a wrap for the year and plans are underway for the brand new year.
Everyone would be in the holiday mood; and especially for those who are celebrating Christmas, there would be plenty to prepare, spiritually and well, physically.

From Advent observations to setting up the decorations in the house and planning the parties, there is just no end to the list for the household in welcoming the festive season.

One part of the whole festivity is the gifting.
Yes, everyone loves getting gifts and somehow I guess the popularity of Christmas just took on that widespread fervor, even to the non-Christians, is due to the flamboyance of the festive spirit and definitely because of the gifts.





I've always loved receiving gifts myself, I mean, who doesn't anyway?
I've always looked forward to Christmas and of course my own birthday because I was just so excited to unwrap my presents.
There is just something so exciting about not knowing what is in there and unraveling the parcel to reveal its contents.

I never really grew out of it, but then the part of gifting is not purely on receiving.
When a person receives a present, it means there is another person is preparing and giving that present, as a gift to the recipient.

Receiving is always a pleasure, but the true joy lies in the giving part.

Gifting is always a serious business for me, in particular.

I don't just rush for last minute presents or just grab anything off the rack, for the sake of giving it to someone.

No, it is never that way.

I'm always one who draws a list, and if you know me, you would know my habit with lists.
I always come up with a list for everything; yes, I am just that annoying with my own system.

When it comes to the gift list, I always draw up the list which will consist of the people I am going to give the gifts and then, list down the options for each and every one of them.

It is not as simple as you think; for I would need to relate to each of their style and behavior, and most importantly, their likes and dislikes. I would even pull out historical data of what I had given them before to avoid yearly repetitions.
It is an analytical business.

However, believe it or not, I have never found it a stressful business when it comes to getting gifts for people.
It is not even about the money, or the price tag of the gift.

I like to visualize the looks and the joy of the person when they receive their gifts.

For that very reason, it motivates me to find that perfect gift; or at least, close to what I think they would really like.

That is the whole concept of gifting.

It must come from the heart.
It must come with thought.

While it seems as though gifting is mandatory in Christmas, really, it is not.
To be frank, most of our family Christmases never even really revolved around gifts.

The gift of reunion and the joy of being with the loved ones is already a gift in itself.

The spirit of gifting is not about expecting a return.
It is not about getting a gift and comparing that gift you received in return in its monetary value.

The beauty of giving a gift is the feeling you get when you put that thought and then work out that plan to shop for the gift, and then wrap it and present it to the person.
It is about making another person happy.

That is the true happiness, and that is the real gift when it comes to giving a gift.

Perhaps we all love receiving gifts and that is normal, but try making it about giving a gift to someone you love.

It doesn't have to be expensive.

Maybe it doesn't even have to be a physical item.
It could be a surprise dinner you cook, or cleaning up for your mother.

The key is in giving.

What can we really give?

When you start planning to give, you will find that it is far more fulfilling than waiting to receive.

To touch someone's heart and to catch them by surprise with what you have given, that is the true gift.

To be able to give with all your heart and to dedicate it purely for the happiness of the one who receives, you would have a far better gift than one wrapped with ribbons under the tree.

It is joy and satisfaction, knowing that your simple thought and plan just made someone happy.

That, is the Gift of Gifting.

I have started drawing up my Christmas list, and it's going to take me some time.
I hope I can come up with some good gifts this year.