Gift of the Magi

A few months back my best friend and her little sister came over to spend the weekend with me. Every time they come home, we spend a majority of time doing girly stuff like baking, cooking, watching movies, giving each other home facials, pedicure and of course lots and lots of conversations. So that weekend while we had our faces masked and hair packed with home spa treatments, I asked her on what parameters would she measure the value of a gift she receives from someone. Would it be with the Price: expensive vs inexpensive; Person: close friend vs acquaintance; Longevity of the gift: long term (like watches, bags...) vs short term (like a box of chocolates, a bouquet of flowers…). She immediately said, “The value of a gift is what an individual attaches to it. It cannot be measured using any scale. It all depends on how much worth the person wants to attach to the gift”.

There might be a million reasons why someone doesn’t value a very expensive gift and a very silly reason why the same person would find a small handwritten note on a paper ripped off the back of a notebook, precious and priceless. It all depends on the individual. So after this conversation with her ended, I thought I should one day draw together all the gifts I have received to understand the value I attach to these gifts. I never really got to do this until yesterday.

I strongly recommend Shopping and Rigorous Room Cleaning as the best stress-busters especially if you’ve been a victim of constant annoyance and endless efforts to feel worthless. BLISS is the word used to describe the feeling you have when you bring home those new pair of Aldo Shoes and H&M denims or the sight of the sparkling room with a neatly arranged wardrobe. This month had been pretty stiff on my wallet so I decided to use the other option this weekend. While I was arranging my cupboard I found this huge bag filled with all sorts of stuff, from papers to greeting cards to worn out gift wrapping tinsel foils. I began sorting out the collection and while I was at it I started reading the greeting cards I had received from friends and family. Some cards had small notes scribbled on it and a few had letters inside them.

I began arranging them on the floor after I read every greeting card and note. Half way through I thought I should have categorized the cards since they were so many from friends and family for Birthdays, Christmas wishes from Chris-moms and Chris-children, Farewell cards I had received in the final year of school and college, Friendship Day bands and greetings. I was also surprised to see a few Get Well Soon cards that I was thinking if my absence in school meant so much to that friend.

When I finally finished arranging them this is what my floor looked like.

I had enough to start an Archies Gift Gallery. I was pretty stunned with what I’ve been treasuring for more than a decade. Some cards were handmade and so beautiful. Looking at the amazing craft work done on it made me realize how much I meant to the person who gave it to me to take the time and the effort to make something like that. These days we hardly write to anyone let alone hand-make stuff for them. I am strongly convinced that if there is someone who cares to write a small note to you today amidst all the hustle and bustle, be certain that you mean the world to them.

Some of them were musical cards that were so old and drained that it wouldn’t chime anymore when opened. Opening those envelopes that had “OPEN WITH A SMILE” written along the flap of the cover reminded me of all the sweet things we did to make the gift appealing and impressive. I began wondering why people don’t give such cards anymore. These amazing things were first replaced by e-greetings and then Facebook wishes and now it’s a sms/whatsapp followed by   a Cake with candles and party balloons emoticon. 

I spent the entire morning reading every card and every note, reminiscing about every friendship I made along the way. Some friendships don’t even exist now. Some friends hadn’t even crossed my mind until today after seeing their signatures at the end of the greeting.

 Some friends have even finished their journey of life on earth and moved on to the “better land”. It was such an emotional yet a very fulfilling day to spend down memory lane. 
I realized that the best medicine one can give oneself during real trying and draining moments is a jog down memory lane. Rummage all that junk you have stored in the attic or in the barn. Read all those lovely things people have said about you.

If you haven’t had the habit of collecting greeting cards and letters like me, I’m pretty sure you have your Autograph diaries or Year books. If I said Shopping and Cleaning is the best way to de-stress, I stand corrected.  

 I also realized that the best way to tell a person you care and acknowledge their presence in your life is by writing them a note/letter. Appreciate people and tell them how much their existence means to you. We live in a very difficult world. Very rarely we find encouraging and supportive people. And in depressing times, it’s really heart-warming to read a note from someone who has penned down your worth and the difference you made in their lives. 


Knowing that your presence has impacted them and helped them even in the tiniest way would not only help greatly, but that gift would have just upped its value to a million bucks. 

My room and wardrobe is filled with gifts people have given me. I attach myself greatly to every gift, big or small. Likewise I also believe in giving good gifts. I would also suggest to attach a small note alongside the gift. You never know when the person would need those few words of encouragement. 

When they need it most, what if u’re NOT a phone call / a drive away ?

Stay Blessed !