Sometimes, when you receive a gift, it changes your life for the better and sometimes it leaves you perplexed as to what was the gift giver thinking at the time. Sometimes these acts of kindness make you wonder if they’re really being kind when they give you a sweater with one sleeve bigger than the other or a scarf with your name written all over it. Or a gift of bath soap and deodorant — are they trying to give you a hint?
Last year, I got a gift in the mail which I had to pick up at the post office. On a cold December day I had to go a mile to the post office by bus, and then stand on a line for over an hour. When it was my turn, I had to show my ID in order to get my package which took a while because it was lost in the back somewhere. Finally, the clerk handed me a small flat package which turned out to be a Christmas CD with songs like “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and “Jingle Bells.” Boy, did I really want to jingle someone’s bells.
I don’t mean to be a scrooge, but please make my life easier. I have made gift-giving mistakes of my own like when I gave my sister a nightshirt that was one-size-fits-all and she felt insulted by it. Well, I just wasn’t sure what her size was. I thought I was playing it safe.
I know someone who gave their super a gift of a case of beer when the guy obviously had a bad drinking problem.
This Christmas, due to the hardship that most people are experiencing with some losing their jobs and others having a hard time keeping food on the table for their families, it is time for thoughtful gift giving and considering peoples’ feelings by giving them gifts without making them feel bad about it.
My good luck to all on this mission and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Olga Irrizarry