I am never one to give presents on events like birthdays. It probably started during secondary school since I went to an all-boys school where this sort of thing is uncommon. This feeling of not needing to give a present grew when I was in polytechnic. For me at least, a present should be something given wholeheartedly. However, that does not seem to be the case for a lot of people. Say in polytechnic for example, whenever it is one of our female classmates birthdays, the usual boys will round everyone up and urged/convinced/requested everyone to “share the birthday present”. Why share? Reason is they want to give something more expensive, like bags and T-shirts. In more than one occasion, they will buy more than one stuff. Most often than not, they would not ask the others for opinions and the presents they bought are solely based on them. We just need to provide the cash and “everything will be settled”.
What’s the problem you asked? This is not jealousy or anything but after thinking back, these people are sly. First is to make a good impression on the person receiving the present, that he/she thought up of this idea to give the person a good present. Second is that they are making use of other people to buy the presents they want for other party. Said presents might be too expensive for them or they just do not want to spend a lot of money on it thus they rope in others to aid them in their quest.
The usual response for the receiver? “Thanks a lot guys 
” or “Oh wow, this is nice” etc. It is just formality. You do not see them jumping around excited or squeal in delight since “everyone bought them”. Probably the only one who went to get the present gets the credit since he/she puts in “a little more” effort. It is not only on birthdays but parties as well. Thus, whenever I am requested to get a present, will just buy something without thinking too much about it since I see it as a formality. I cannot even remember what I bought for last year’s Christmas party. The requirement for the party was a $10 gift thus anything below that will do.
This year, I put in a little more effort and after looking around, I bought a 1000 pieces jigsaw puzzle of Chopper from One Piece. I felt it was the best gift since quite a number of people in NUSKK likes One Piece and the girls adore Chopper plus it is within the requirement. After a random gift exchange, the person receiving the present was Kitt. Watching her unwrapping the present carefully, I was wondering how she would react. Maybe it will be like the usual formality since this present did not cost more than $10 and well, others just bought normal stuff like chocolates as their present and the receiver’s reaction was expected. However, what came next was totally unexpected. When Kitt saw the Chopper, she squealed in delight and hugged it, beaming brightly till she outshone the Sun. Alright, I might be exaggerating but when I saw her reaction, I thank Allah that my present was able to make someone happy. I was seriously and secretively overjoyed.
Christmas spoils of war!
That brings back to my view of presents. It should be something that brings joy to someone, not because it is expensive and such, but because it came from you. Sure, pouring money together and getting a gift is cool as well but if it is wholeheartedly from oneself, it will be treasured more. That’s the case for me at least. I will appreciate and take good care of any presents people give me since it is quite uncommon to receive one. For this Christmas, I want to say thanks to 3 people. Thanks to Jasmine for giving me my first Nendroid Petit of one of my favourite characters, Misaka Mikoto. Thanks Jiaying for the photo since it is quite ‘rare’ to have a photo like this, what with social networking sites like facebook. Lastly, thanks Siwei for the peculiar and unique gift, even if it is from a random gift exchange. My first impression when I saw it was like “Wah, can be used as decorations!” so yes, I shall use it as such since I do not drink.
