When does the swap from material things become less important? Receiving gifts is awesome and we should feel extremely grateful, but is it not more assuring to give?
At some point in the past I stopped asking for gifts and Santa still brought them. The gifts seemed to have more value when they were not preconceived. They were always a surprise and the connection developed with each gift was more authentic rather than selfish. As we get older, however, giving gifts seems to hold more value and the mystery factor of the receiver to the giver's gift is quite incredible.
The enlightened face when an odd but great present is unwrapped for the first time is something beautiful to observe. It involves a series of emotions and body language that are confusing but oddly satisfactory. The giver desires to be assured that the receiver loved the gift and will use it in the future. The foreshadowing nature of a gift is almost indescribable. A gift holds its purpose in the future and the future usage of it. Without necessity, the gift is considered bad but must be given the same assurance to uphold embarrassment.
A peculiar motive to give a gift then arrives to the idea of "what if they do not like the gift I give them?" Well first of all, you tried and that in itself is worth more than not doing so. Secondly, the selflessness of trying to understand what someone else must have or desires is quite irrational. Why do you go to the store at 4 A.M. on Black Friday for the one present that your best friend, mom, relative etc., needs? Well because in your mind it would complete them and make them happier. Happiness is subjective and individual to every person and the gift you give them may or may not make them happy; however, the fact that you went ahead and assumed it was your purpose to make someone else happier is unbelievable. The act of giving is wholeheartedly unselfish and irrational. However, as humans to find connection, closure, and love, giving provides a vessel for which irrationality is kicked to the side and we relish in the idea and feeling a certain 'higher than ourselves.'
This high is not drug-induced, voluntary, nor relatable, but instead singular and personal. It can come on at any point and immediate euphoria is experienced. Butterflies, mind-racing, pins and needles, a sensation unlike anything that only an individual can describe. It happens when we give because we cannot find the words to express our happiness in that particular moment. Our body instead forces us to feel "that" happiness in every breath, blink, movement, and interaction. This is when the swap from receiving to giving becomes more important to people. During any part of the season someone will find that their rational thought process is swayed because of the ambition to make someones day better.
Enjoy the switch. Enjoy the giving. Enjoy receiving. Remember, it does not have to be Christmas to gift someone a present or explanation of why they make your everyday life a little bit better. The randomness of your mind will often surprise you of what it is capable of.
