Where Did The Rabbit Jump From?
/Where Did The Rabbit Jump From?
Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery but today is a gift, that's why they call it present. (Master Oogway, Kung Fu Panda)
I had a wonderful childhood, to be honest during the communist period in Romania. I do not remember, as a child, to have received Easter presents. I do not know if the Easter Bunny came to the country after 1990, or we imported this custom together with other international holidays, just like Valentine's Day. So, somewhat constrained by their surroundings rather by conviction - my parents decided that I should also receive something; if the whole group from kindergarten received something from the Easter Bunny, in the end, Easter just like Christmas is all about forgiveness, generosity and, voila, many gifts.
It's not that simple with gifts; you probably know this very well.
A promising gift sometimes requires prior research (even if it's a relative or close friend); you will have to call, write emails, keep up to date with what the person wants or needs. I mean you don't want to end up buying an orange scarf and in the end, to see, the friend has one already!).
I feel more comfortable giving gifts than receiving - I am not very good at mimicking joy when I wake up with a thing that I do not like or I do not need. Instead, I want to enjoy the surprised faces of my loved ones, but also friends or colleagues. I love the pleasure and surprise of a woman who receives flowers - look at a small gesture with significant effects, which I think men nowadays, rarely do and only on special occasions - birthdays, and 8th March (the international women's day), and that's it!
Maybe that's why we, women, came up, in addition to the usual birthday, with the anniversary of the first date, first kiss, the first time he met my parents the first time I met his parents… (I mean "big imagination")
In my mind, a gift should be a surprise, and the fixed dates that everyone offers and receives gifts spoil the surprise. You know you will receive a gift, you are not surprised by the gesture, at most, you can be surprised by the gift itself (especially if you wait for the engagement ring and get a DVD with the first season of "Young and restless"). I put the price on the gesture. The gesture of taking a little attention, without a particular occasion, means that you have thought of that person, and you wanted to make him a joy. Smile at her, a dinner prepared for you, a ray of sunshine, a gladiolus, or any of those things that Sandra Brown could write half a book without repeating.
How much do you spend on a gift? Well, let's see! An expensive gift can be a statement of serious intentions (so be careful what you do!). Still, on the other hand, a cheap gift can have an invaluable effect if it has a particular significance for the one receiving it.
Yes, there is a lot of buzz and agitation and sweating and nerves and energy consumption on those days when everyone is running for presents. After running for a week, in the happy scenario, and also spending a few hours packing them, the gifts open in a maximum of 10 seconds. But another 10 seconds of smiles, exclamations of surprise and joy, hugs, thanks, gratitude. After all, this is about it, those incredible 10 seconds, which fool you every time and make you willing to start over.
In fact, the next opportunity is here for Easter to come. I will haunt the online stores first - I will pretend, again, that I think they have discounts. Happy Easter!
