Courtesy of GivingGiftPro
Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
| Sat, 12/05/2009 1:47 PM | Life
Celebrating Christmas without thinking about giving gifts is hard. Just as hard as not having bright packages beneath the Christmas tree or colorful socks filled with presents.
The Christmas festivity may vary from one place to another, but in this modern world, where the Christmas culture has evolved into a tradition of gift-giving, we can see people hit shopping centers or e-retailers to fulfill this seasonal "obligation".
The tradition of gift-giving might have been criticized as part of consumerism that takes the essence out of Christmas. Yet, it doesn't stop people from buying and exchanging gifts.
"Christmas for my family isn't only about celebrating religion," says television presenter Rebecca Tumewu, or Becky. "It's also about celebrating the festivity and exchanging gifts reflects this."
But of course, as she points out, showing the festivity spirit is only at the surface of the tradition. She says the tradition is more about showing love to family and friends.
"People might ask why we give gifts at Christmas" Becky says. "First of all, we want to express our love and care, and second, we want to see others happy."
| Sat, 12/05/2009 1:47 PM | Life
Celebrating Christmas without thinking about giving gifts is hard. Just as hard as not having bright packages beneath the Christmas tree or colorful socks filled with presents.
The Christmas festivity may vary from one place to another, but in this modern world, where the Christmas culture has evolved into a tradition of gift-giving, we can see people hit shopping centers or e-retailers to fulfill this seasonal "obligation".
The tradition of gift-giving might have been criticized as part of consumerism that takes the essence out of Christmas. Yet, it doesn't stop people from buying and exchanging gifts.
"Christmas for my family isn't only about celebrating religion," says television presenter Rebecca Tumewu, or Becky. "It's also about celebrating the festivity and exchanging gifts reflects this."
But of course, as she points out, showing the festivity spirit is only at the surface of the tradition. She says the tradition is more about showing love to family and friends.
"People might ask why we give gifts at Christmas" Becky says. "First of all, we want to express our love and care, and second, we want to see others happy."
Presenter, public speaking guru and author Charles Bonar Sirait shares a similar view, saying exchanging gifts is a way to strengthen relationships between his family members.
"Exchanging gifts only occurs once a year and we regard it as a chance to come closer together," says Charles.
"Aside from that, my wife and I also want our children to value this tradition as someday, they might be exposed to it at schools or universities.
"But we want them to learn about the spirit at home first."
The spirit of giving and sharing, Charles says, is at the core of Christmas celebrations.
The tradition, can be traced back to the day when Jesus Christ was born. Gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh were given to the Christ child by the three Magi - kings from the East, who traveled a great distance following a star in search of the child.
Frankincense symbolized priesthood, gold was associated with earthly kings and myrrh was a symbol of death as this incense was often burned at funerals.
Later, the idea of gift-giving and sharing love was developed alongside the growth of Christianity worldwide. Christianity's main theological idea is based on God creating humanity and that Christ is a gift to mankind.
As times passed, the tradition of gift-giving at Christmas became more and more popular as the middle age ended and the modern era began.
When the early Dutch settlers to America introduced St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus, as the symbol of gift-giving, the tradition grew.
In the 19th century, the idea of gift-giving took on a new dimension, with the works of O. Henry, Charles Dickens and Thomas Nast helping to shape our concepts of Santa Claus and other aspects of the holiday.
Today, we all give gifts at Christmas for our own reasons. For some of us, it's a way to celebrate the holy day. For others, it is a special opportunity to let family and friends know we care.
Although living in the modern gift-giving culture, singer Harvey Malaiholo says the tradition is not an obligation for Christians to follow.
"It's a symbol of love," he says. "But you don't have to feel obliged to give presents."
So, does the tradition truly support the idea of consumerism? Harvey has his own view.
"When people accuse gift-giving of supporting consumerism, I don't think that's true," he says. "It could be part of consumerism if we insist on buying presents when we can't afford them. It's also part of consumerism if we give unused presents to others.
"But if we can afford to buy presents, then it cannot be part of consumerism."
Harvey extends the concept of gift-giving's simplicity.
"We don't really care about the cost," he says. "No matter what I receive at Christmas, although they're not expensive, I am happy knowing that others care."
Becky nods in agreement at Harvey's view.
"The important thing is that you know what the person likes and needs," she says. "You don't want to buy things that are expensive but not useful."
Becky's wish list is neither pricy nor sophisticated. It consists of a blanket from her sister and a framed photograph of herself from her best friend.
"My sister made the quilted blanket from my late mother's daster (nightgowns)," she says. "It's so valuable to me."
In the case of the framed picture, Becky says, "It's nothing expensive. But for me, it's special because my friend took the picture herself".
Becky points out that Christmas gifts don't have to burn holes in our pockets.
"I asked my father what he wanted for Christmas and he said he just wanted to take pictures with his children and grandchildren," she recalls. "So, that was what I did. He was very happy with it."
Sidebox:
The myth of gift-giving
Cultures across the world have their own stories in terms of what to give. Have you heard that in Chinese culture, you shouldn't buy your loved ones shoes? Or handkerchiefs and perfumes aren't the perfect gifts?
Yes. A pair of shoes, for example, symbolizes a journey. So, giving pair of shoes to your loved ones means you want them to walk away from your life.
A handkerchief, on the other hand, symbolizes sadness. Why? Simply because it's used to wipe tears.
Handkerchiefs as bad luck is a view shared by Venezuelan tradition. According to its belief, handkerchiefs cause fights between the receiver and the giver.
Sounds odd and superstitious, but such myths survive even today.
Giving perfumes to our loved ones is also a big no-no, perhaps the most popular among Westerners.
Believe it or not, according to the ancient Chinese and Greek beliefs, giving perfume causes relationship breakups. To counteract this, the receiver must give money to the giver.
Today, perfume is not the best gift to give. Why? Because it could mean: "Hey, you're stinky!"
Just like perfume, another gift that is believed to cause couples to break up is a watch. Giving a watch to loved ones can mean we think they're not punctual.
But presenter and public speaking figure Charles Bonar Sirait has his own opinions.
"I receive perfumes from my wife and friends," he says. "And nothing bad has happened."
He says people shouldn't let superstitious beliefs dictate them, since the essence of giving gifts is to show love. "As long as we have good intentions, that is enough."
But if you still believe in such myths, then perhaps the safest gift to give is, "Merry Christmas!"
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/12/05/wrapping-christmas.html
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/12/05/the-myth-giftgiving.html
"Exchanging gifts only occurs once a year and we regard it as a chance to come closer together," says Charles.
"Aside from that, my wife and I also want our children to value this tradition as someday, they might be exposed to it at schools or universities.
"But we want them to learn about the spirit at home first."
The spirit of giving and sharing, Charles says, is at the core of Christmas celebrations.
The tradition, can be traced back to the day when Jesus Christ was born. Gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh were given to the Christ child by the three Magi - kings from the East, who traveled a great distance following a star in search of the child.
Frankincense symbolized priesthood, gold was associated with earthly kings and myrrh was a symbol of death as this incense was often burned at funerals.
Later, the idea of gift-giving and sharing love was developed alongside the growth of Christianity worldwide. Christianity's main theological idea is based on God creating humanity and that Christ is a gift to mankind.
As times passed, the tradition of gift-giving at Christmas became more and more popular as the middle age ended and the modern era began.
When the early Dutch settlers to America introduced St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus, as the symbol of gift-giving, the tradition grew.
In the 19th century, the idea of gift-giving took on a new dimension, with the works of O. Henry, Charles Dickens and Thomas Nast helping to shape our concepts of Santa Claus and other aspects of the holiday.
Today, we all give gifts at Christmas for our own reasons. For some of us, it's a way to celebrate the holy day. For others, it is a special opportunity to let family and friends know we care.
Although living in the modern gift-giving culture, singer Harvey Malaiholo says the tradition is not an obligation for Christians to follow.
"It's a symbol of love," he says. "But you don't have to feel obliged to give presents."
So, does the tradition truly support the idea of consumerism? Harvey has his own view.
"When people accuse gift-giving of supporting consumerism, I don't think that's true," he says. "It could be part of consumerism if we insist on buying presents when we can't afford them. It's also part of consumerism if we give unused presents to others.
"But if we can afford to buy presents, then it cannot be part of consumerism."
Harvey extends the concept of gift-giving's simplicity.
"We don't really care about the cost," he says. "No matter what I receive at Christmas, although they're not expensive, I am happy knowing that others care."
Becky nods in agreement at Harvey's view.
"The important thing is that you know what the person likes and needs," she says. "You don't want to buy things that are expensive but not useful."
Becky's wish list is neither pricy nor sophisticated. It consists of a blanket from her sister and a framed photograph of herself from her best friend.
"My sister made the quilted blanket from my late mother's daster (nightgowns)," she says. "It's so valuable to me."
In the case of the framed picture, Becky says, "It's nothing expensive. But for me, it's special because my friend took the picture herself".
Becky points out that Christmas gifts don't have to burn holes in our pockets.
"I asked my father what he wanted for Christmas and he said he just wanted to take pictures with his children and grandchildren," she recalls. "So, that was what I did. He was very happy with it."
Sidebox:
The myth of gift-giving
Cultures across the world have their own stories in terms of what to give. Have you heard that in Chinese culture, you shouldn't buy your loved ones shoes? Or handkerchiefs and perfumes aren't the perfect gifts?
Yes. A pair of shoes, for example, symbolizes a journey. So, giving pair of shoes to your loved ones means you want them to walk away from your life.
A handkerchief, on the other hand, symbolizes sadness. Why? Simply because it's used to wipe tears.
Handkerchiefs as bad luck is a view shared by Venezuelan tradition. According to its belief, handkerchiefs cause fights between the receiver and the giver.
Sounds odd and superstitious, but such myths survive even today.
Giving perfumes to our loved ones is also a big no-no, perhaps the most popular among Westerners.
Believe it or not, according to the ancient Chinese and Greek beliefs, giving perfume causes relationship breakups. To counteract this, the receiver must give money to the giver.
Today, perfume is not the best gift to give. Why? Because it could mean: "Hey, you're stinky!"
Just like perfume, another gift that is believed to cause couples to break up is a watch. Giving a watch to loved ones can mean we think they're not punctual.
But presenter and public speaking figure Charles Bonar Sirait has his own opinions.
"I receive perfumes from my wife and friends," he says. "And nothing bad has happened."
He says people shouldn't let superstitious beliefs dictate them, since the essence of giving gifts is to show love. "As long as we have good intentions, that is enough."
But if you still believe in such myths, then perhaps the safest gift to give is, "Merry Christmas!"
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/12/05/wrapping-christmas.html
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/12/05/the-myth-giftgiving.html