The art of Gifting
9:30 PM: I suddenly remember that I have to buy a gift, actually two, the next day. One for my father and one for a favorite cousin. Trying to use logic, I decide to do this "scientifically."
A long search produces a pen and parchment (oops, I mean paper; I have been reading too much of Dan Brown recently). I list out various constraints - budget, their tastes, their usual choices etc.
I then proceed to list out what I think they would like. I methodically cross out what they have. Lo and behold, I have ideal gifts for them: An electronic diary for my father and a board game for my 12 year old cousin. Elated, I say my prayers and sleep.
Morning produces second thoughts - its more like ten thousand, but i quickly remove all the rest.
What will my about to retire father do with an electronic diary? was I foolish to come up with it in the first place? My cousin's parents usually complain about his "playful" nature. Should I add to their woes?
With these thoughts floating, I rush to the "mall", where I can see things and maybe generate ideas. Walking in the mall, I was struggling with two major things: Should I gift something that is a trendy, showpiece type or something that is usable? Once you decide on this basic question, the answer will liberate you (no, no, not the Buddhist nirvana). I decided that both these people needed something that they could use everyday, but the gift to my cousing also needed to be stylish, so that he could show it off.
My mind raced through the conversations at home recently, trying to think of something any of the family had said regarding Dad. Mom said he needed new slippers (yuck! he might hit me with them if he didn't like them), Sis said he needed new sweaters (he already has two, but wears only one of them). Dad wanted to get his spectacles replaced. Wait a minute, he breaks them every few months. Thats it. I am going to get him "contacts." Stylish colored ones.
With that behind me, I proceeded using emotion as my guide instead of logic. But I didn't know what my cousin needed!!! Hmmm, i thought," He needs something that educates him without being boring." A toys shop beckoned me. I went in and explained what I wanted. The veteran smiled knowingly and said," Buy this CD version of his class's subjects. They will explain him in animations and real-life experiments all that he needs to know." Great!, but the price brought me back. I decided to buy it anyway. The price was much less than its value.
I learned that the art of gifting was not to look for things that would please you when the recipient has it, it is what they need. Look into your emotions, for a gift is a present from the heart. The convenience that contact lenses bring for my father and the education that my cousin will get are far more important to me.
Luv
SherlockSridhar
A long search produces a pen and parchment (oops, I mean paper; I have been reading too much of Dan Brown recently). I list out various constraints - budget, their tastes, their usual choices etc.
I then proceed to list out what I think they would like. I methodically cross out what they have. Lo and behold, I have ideal gifts for them: An electronic diary for my father and a board game for my 12 year old cousin. Elated, I say my prayers and sleep.
Morning produces second thoughts - its more like ten thousand, but i quickly remove all the rest.
What will my about to retire father do with an electronic diary? was I foolish to come up with it in the first place? My cousin's parents usually complain about his "playful" nature. Should I add to their woes?
With these thoughts floating, I rush to the "mall", where I can see things and maybe generate ideas. Walking in the mall, I was struggling with two major things: Should I gift something that is a trendy, showpiece type or something that is usable? Once you decide on this basic question, the answer will liberate you (no, no, not the Buddhist nirvana). I decided that both these people needed something that they could use everyday, but the gift to my cousing also needed to be stylish, so that he could show it off.
My mind raced through the conversations at home recently, trying to think of something any of the family had said regarding Dad. Mom said he needed new slippers (yuck! he might hit me with them if he didn't like them), Sis said he needed new sweaters (he already has two, but wears only one of them). Dad wanted to get his spectacles replaced. Wait a minute, he breaks them every few months. Thats it. I am going to get him "contacts." Stylish colored ones.
With that behind me, I proceeded using emotion as my guide instead of logic. But I didn't know what my cousin needed!!! Hmmm, i thought," He needs something that educates him without being boring." A toys shop beckoned me. I went in and explained what I wanted. The veteran smiled knowingly and said," Buy this CD version of his class's subjects. They will explain him in animations and real-life experiments all that he needs to know." Great!, but the price brought me back. I decided to buy it anyway. The price was much less than its value.
I learned that the art of gifting was not to look for things that would please you when the recipient has it, it is what they need. Look into your emotions, for a gift is a present from the heart. The convenience that contact lenses bring for my father and the education that my cousin will get are far more important to me.
Luv
SherlockSridhar
posted by SherlockSridhar at 1:31 AM
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