There, the shopping’s done and now I can relax. Right? Well, not quite. Although having completed the purchase of those gifts is a major accomplishment, the task isn’t quite finished until each present is wrapped and addressed in an appropriate manner.
I say “appropriate” simply because there are several questions to be considered in this close-to-final step: who is the recipient, who is the designated giver of the gift and what resources are available?
The recipient of any gift figures prominently into the choice of wrapping material. For example, funky newspaper or newspaper-style packaging might tickle the fancy of an artsy kind of person. The mother-in-law may be less impressed. Or, what little boy wouldn’t be delighted with a gift bag or wrapping paper festooned with pictures of trucks or John Deere tractors?
A second factor to be taken into consideration is the giver of the gift. While an adult might invest time, thought and extra money into ensuring it is beautifully wrapped, a child’s offering may resemble a “patch-on-one’s-knee” effort. The wrapping on gifts given by businesses are typically simple and professional; those from and to special friends or lovers can be almost opulent.
There is a lot to think about in this traditional practice of exchanging gifts and most important is the reality that “a thing” is just part of what we offer someone else. Be it love, support, friendship or, sadly sometimes tainted feelings, we share ourselves.
Beyond the borders of December, who we really are is always wrapped in imperfection. No matter how shiny the exterior may appear to others, each of us needs to be loved and accepted for who we are.
Finally, let’s not forget we have been given and we are to be givers of earth’s greatest need and heaven’s greatest resource -God’s love.
“Beloved, let us love”
