Why an Anti-Exchange Gift Bill is Needed

The incidences of the exchange gift activities are already quite alarming. It’s as if having one is a pre-requisite for any Christmas party or celebration. As of the moment, I have yet to buy six presents. One is for the one for our organization, another for the one in class, and four for the one I picked in our RLE group whom I failed to give even a single gift for our weekly exchange gift giving. I haven’t been awarded the most compliant in exchange gift activities. Neither had I been the winner for the Best Gift award category. 

One factor that I see is my tendency to procrastinate my gift shopping. Delaying it until the night before a party, rushing for the mall hours, and end up stashing something generic and/or hideous inside shopping bags. Like scented candles, towels, or picture frames. Well, not exactly but the one I pick are always the less lucky ones. Sure, Christmas is the time for giving but in exchange gift activities, the entire purpose is defeated as you expect to receive something in return. It becomes an alternative way of self-gifting that, even for a few days, spares our scrupulous superegos from asking penance for our selfish spending.

I’ve learned that the strategy in giving the worst present is summed up in eight letters: WRAPPING. As I am also not blessed with the talent for paper folding and would not stand for repetitious work, I would always buy those nicely decorated boxes in Papemelrotti then tie it up with a fancy ribbon. That always does the trick. At least if the thing you gave was useless, the box can also be used as a container.

Back to the endemic spread of exchange gift giving.  I find this practice pointless and just but another stressor to people during Christmas season. Instead of just enjoying the season, feasting on good food, and being with the company of people we love, we preoccupy ourselves with the chore of thinking, wrapping, and giving gifts. Do yourself a favor and spare yourself from the hassle. Give the little meaningful gifts, like a note or something you created yourself . Let not the materialism of gift giving be the focal point of this season.

UPDATES:

1. My opinion column is about to be published in our school paper in its December issue
2. I'm doing part time work as a research assistant of my professor for his study on Tuberculosis. I'm so looking forward to the new things I might learn. :)
3. Himig Tomasino, the local intercollegiate chorale competition of UST, is coming up. I will be very busy with choir practice once January starts. See you all at PhilamLife Theater on Jan 29. :)
4. Will be proposing a Student Awards and an HIV advocacy activity as being the Student Council's Coordinating Board Secretary. :)
5. Will organize a concert for the launching of  the Nursing Music TV along with the lower batch of officers.