by Virginia L. Allen

Created on: May 10, 2009   Last Updated: May 11, 2009

The main feeling behind gift giving, should be to bring joy and happiness in the recipients life. From spur of the moment gifts, to gifts that were well thought out, just the act in of itself displays the ideal that someone was thinking about you. Therein lies the hidden value of presents; the ability to buoy a broken spirit, make a sick body well, cheer up the downhearted, remind someone of your devotion, or simply just because.

Not always presented in a tangible form; presents can come in all shapes and sizes. Whether it be those "Jimmy Choo" shoes your girlfriend was dying for, or time spent cheering her up after a bad breakup, the purpose and intent remains the same; to bring a little joy and happiness into the life of someone else other than your own.

However, the value doesn't stop there. The biblical theory on gift giving states: "There is more happiness in giving, than there is in receiving". It stands to reason therefore, that not only does the recipient gain joy from receiving the gift, the giver of the gift gains joy as well (often a joy more profound than the recipient's own).

Rarely does one find a human act that provides such a twofold effect, resulting in a positively multifaceted chain reaction. In addition to the gifts of the tangible kind, people give of their time, energy, and resources. Even performing small acts of kindness can be considered a gift from one person to another.

It is for this very reason, that the art of gift giving involves so much more than the present itself. The thought behind the gift is often the catalyst for such occasions. Whether it wowed the recipient or not, the simple fact that someone cared enough, is all that really matters.

Gift giving allows people to express themselves in ways they may not be able to otherwise. It often makes up for words unspoken, deeds gone unrecognized, and emotions or feelings left unexplored and undisplayed. It's an extension of how we feel about our closest friends, family, and colleagues.

Unfortunately, we as adults have forgotten the reason behind gift giving. This extension of ourselves has become so commercialized, that the joy of giving and receiving have become quite null and void. We sit in amazement as our young, bright eyed, unspoiled children express their thrill and elation over a gift as simple as a book.

The older they get however, the commercialized aspect of gift giving and gift receiving, spoils and tarnishes their once innocent and childlike elation over such joyful occasions. Therefore, it is vital that we as adults, display a similar gratefulness over what we receive; no matter how big or small.

Besides, is it not the thought that counts?

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