The True Spirit of Holiday Giving
Although generally unspoken, there are a few very important rules of holiday gift giving which exist, and insure that the process of gifting does not become separate from the true spirit of holiday giving. Occasionally someone will get lost in the process of gifting, and forget that the holiday season is not about obligations, but about joy, love, peace, and giving of the heart.
When it comes to holiday gift giving there are a few rules which it is simply good etiquette to put in place.
Rule number one of holiday gift giving is to never give a holiday gift in spite or ill will. No gift should ever be given with the intention of purposely hurting someones feelings. Christmas is a time of true giving of the heart, a time for gestures of kindness, and love for your fellow man. It is a time to shake off feelings of spite and to reach out with friendship instead. The true holiday spirit should exist within every holiday gift which you give or it is a gift which should not be given.
Rule number two of holiday gift giving is to never give a holiday gift with the intention of receiving something back in return. Expecting a promotion if you buy the boss an expensive gift, higher grades if you get something special for your instructor, or even a reciprocated gift whenever you present one, is gifting for yourself rather than for someone else.
A true holiday gift is given with the sole intention of increasing the happiness within another persons life, to alleviate suffering, or to provide where there is no other provision made. Holiday gift giving is an act of kindness, generosity, and good will toward your fellow man. No holiday gift should ever be given in greed. The true holiday spirit of giving does not exist within these gifts because they are not gifts given from the generosity within your heart.
Rule number three of holiday gift giving is to give a gift with humility. The most generous gifts are not those determined by their monetary value but rather by the humble attitude in which they were given. To boastfully hold out a gift, and to ask for recognition for your actions, is to give with an ulterior motive. To give this same gift solely from your heart is to give within the spirit of the holiday. A gift given with humility is a truly generous gift indeed.
Rule number four of holiday gift giving is a wish for the goodness of mankind during the holiday season. A wish that each individual who gifts during the holiday season will do so with kindness, with generosity, and with good will toward all men as his sole intentions for giving. It is the hope that each person who gives gifts within the holiday season will give them with the true spirit of the season within their heart.
Following these few simple holiday gift giving rules will help you to keep the true spirit of the holidays wrapped up within each of the gifts which you give.
