The best gifts are given spontaneously. It would seem that spontaniety would bypass all the premeditated self-satisfaction when giving a gift. Random gift-giving is more honest and more likely to hold greater value.A gift is best received with duality of reaction. It should be genuine, f
or if it is false, that is worse than being unhappy and truthful. If one receives a gift graciously in gratitude, it should reflect the joy at receiving the gift, but greater joy in the fact that there is someone who understands you to the very core of your being.It seems that to Emerson, gifts have lost their true value and meaning
. Nowadays there seems to be a process to the act of giving gifts that does not change. This routine is a false and rehearsed public display of "generosity." and yet, it is not generous and is worthless. The point of a gift is to symbolize a sign of affection by making a sacrifice that is meaningful. Giving what is inconvenient to give is regarded by Emerson to be of greater significance. A gift that is given for personal satisfaction is not a gift, it is a barter. A tangible object for a reputation of "overwhelming generosity." A gift is a one-way thing. Expectations immediately turn this into a two-way process, causing this bizarre ritual to become merely an unrehearsed act, messy and hollow. An act of true and sincere gift-giving is much harder, but has far greater potential than that of this societal ceremony.Photo Credits (from Flickr)
1. Gift of My Heart - Jeff Clow
2. Gifts from the Sea - juntos (on and off)
3. the gift of giving - c.zwerg
4 comments:
Hi Christine!
I thought how you said that the best gifts are given spontaneously was a very clever thought. It is definitely true that by not over thinking a gift it ends up being more sincere. This made me think of when you are on vacation and you see something completely random and it reminds you of one of your friends. When you give these types of gifts, the ones you get on the spur of the moment, they are often the most thoughtful and representative of either the receiver or the relationship between the giver and the receiver.
I also thought that how you described the act of gift giving as "routine" and "rehearsed" summed up Emerson’s point. The act of giving a gift should be about an exchange between two people, not about making an extravagant spectacle.
This is very true, randomizing gifts would break the cycle of giving gifts for a reason you don't even remember.... A gift given on christmas would seem to cliche and obvious, even boring. While a gift on January 9th for no apparent reason would hold far more significance because it shows that regardless of the occasion, regardless of the tradition of giving gifts on certain days, regardless of what everyone is doing and why, you are thinking of the receiver on any day.
I like your thought about how gifts are better given spontaneously. When they are given spontaneously they seem to be more meaningful. The giver understands the person better. It is like the receiver doesn't expect anything from them so their expectations are not very high. The giver has taken time out for that person just because they wanted to. I agree that gifts have become "an unrehearsed act, messy and hollow".
I really enjoyed reading this because its so true! what i found interesting was how, spontaneous gifts usually hold a greater value and meaning. "giving a portion of thyself" was also interesting because I agree that it makes the gift more personal:)
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