Gifting

Most of us love presents. Especially if they're gift wrapped. We like the look of them, the crisp inviting paper, the shiny bow, the anticipation that builds up before you even begin to tear the wrapping off. Do you just yank the bow off and tear open the paper? Is that the way you show the giver how eager you are to enjoy what's inside? Or are you someone who slowly and methodically unwraps your gift, untying the bow and rolling up the ribbon, unfolding the paper around the gift being very careful not to tear or mar the paper, brushing out the folds so that the paper can find another use someday? Is that because you want to savor the moment and prolong the anticipation, or do you do that solely to drive the giver insane with frustration in how long you're taking? Is the look on the face of the gift giver part of the gift itself or just a byproduct of your happiness and excitement. How many times do you tell yourself "It's the thought that counts" when you get a clunker of a gift, or are you the type of person that asks "Did you keep the receipt?". When it's the absolute right gift does that knowledge make the gift even better? When there's an absolute certainty that no thought whatsoever went into the selection of the gift are you still gracious enough to say "Thank you" or do you toss it right back into their face? When you're the gifter, do you shop for the perfect gift no matter what the cost or do you have a predetermined value that you won't go over? When you get a gift do you feel indebted to the giver until you can reciprocate with an equally valued gift to restore the 'balance'?

Now, let's turn that around and make it personal.
When someone says to you "I love you" do you see that as a gift or as strictly chatter? What about if someone tells you that they're giving you the gift of their love and attention, spending the day with you to shower you with love and affection, or what happens when they say that they are giving you their heart or their trust? Is the emotion or the sentiment that they are attempting to convey a tangible enough gift to register with you? Is it still "The thought that counts" or would you rather have a gift card. What value can you put on love? Is it tangible, can you take it to the bank, will it be accepted as legal tender, would the revocation of that love cause you to be devalued? When a relationship or marriage ends, is it all about the 'spoils of war' or what's 'fair and equitable'? Who's the winner, the lawyers? In today's litigious society are we justified in going for broke, or even winner take all when it comes to matters of the heart? Are we supposed to argue the validity of the contract or the worth of your heart? Does a broken heart generate more cash than a disinterested one? When I was young I believed that true love was worth it's weight in gold, and that a love that's pure was beyond measure. I believed in 'Happily Ever After' (HEA) as a byproduct from the exchanging of hearts & truth. I believed that true loves kiss was the most powerful magic on earth. I saw unrequited love as the greatest tragedy known to man. That 'Romance' was achievable, that 'True Love' was achievable, and 'Love at First Sight' came to one lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time with a pure and honest heart. I believed that love was a gift that not only empowered the person who was on the receiving end but the person who was giving that gift as well.

When did we start looking for the price tag in the game of love, and when exactly did it become a game? When did hearts, flowers, cupid's arrow, romance, and HEA go out of style in favor of Pre-Nups and Performance Contracts? When or how does love affect or achieve the bottom line? In the game of love are we still cherishing our gifts or looking for the return-receipt?
If diamonds are also a boy's best friend, I prefer them blue or canary in color and large in carats.
And if a man is a boy's best friend, I like them with a brain, a bod, and an imagination to keep it interesting.
In love, as in gift giving, it never hurts to apprise the gift giver of your 'wish-list'.