The ideal Christmas gift comes in various forms If there is no joyous way to give a festive gift, give love away. – Traditional Christmas saying Let's face it. Everyone loves getting presents. Buying them is another story. The mystery of what lies behind the wrapping has the ability to thrill adults and children. So what if the gift churns the stomach and curls the hair? One can always re-wrap it and pass it on to the next person. After all, it's the thought that counts. In the following story, Adrian Cheah takes a humorous look at presents, with tongue firmly in cheek. The one question that keeps popping up ever so often during the Christmas season is why Christmas and giving are so closely linked. Explanations vary – one theory explains that the tradition of giving and sharing probably dates back to the time of the birth of Jesus, when the three Magi (or Kings from the East) presented gifts to the baby. Others believe that gift giving had pagan origins – in ancient Babylon, the feast of the Son of Isis was celebrated on December 25 with partying, eating, drinking and gift-giving. Suffice it to say that there are as many reasons for giving presents as there are presents exchanging hands at Christmas. Of more importance is the thought that goes behind each gift, for how often does careful planning go into the choosing? With Christmas (and New Year) looming over the horizon, the urge to spend, shop and give is even stronger. Retailers know this and spare no effort in promoting their merchandise - and the one message they are sending out clearer than ubiquitous Christmas music is the prodding to spend, spend and then spend some more. While walking around the shopping malls, flipping through newspapers and magazines or merely surfing the internet, one is often bewildered and overwhelmed by myriad options. How to choose? Where to begin? How much to spend? Is there a foolproof method of choosing the perfect gift? Every year as Christmas draws near, I prepare a wish list and shamelessly distribute copies to my family members. Better that they know what to buy rather than me ending up with something that I have no use for. Yvonne, my wife has a horrendous time selecting gifts for me. As much as she wants to pamper me, she is at wits end when faced with the task of choosing a gift for dear husband. On top of that, she frowns upon 'thoughtless' gifts such as  pens, ties, socks, shirts, wallets, belts and boxer shorts – things which I already have in abundance. My father, being both Chinese and pragmatic (the two are intertwined) believes that nothing says it better than money. Don't even waste precious funds buying a card to go with the occasion. What matters when giving a gift of money is the 'fatness' of the red packet! My mother, on the other hand cherishes the simple and sentimental things like hand made cards, meaningful words and thoughtful gestures. Of course she also appreciated the lavish presents she was sometimes feted with by her husband and children. I can say with all honesty that she has, by now, quite enough trinkets and gems to open a jewellery shop! My sister Sandra has, like former First Lady Nancy Reagan, mastered the art of recycling gifts. Nothing is thrown away, just made a mental note of and then stored away until the opportunity arises for its reappearance. I would usually send things her way that are of no use to me because I know she would give it to someone appreciative. My sister Lillian tries very hard to identify gifts that will be appreciated by the recipient. Her only weakness is falling prey to fancy packaging and inflated prices, all because they are just too tempting. For example, she bought me a washing machine with the latest features for my wedding. One Christmas, Lillian and I went to a watch shop to get my Christmas gift for that year and she gave me carte blanche to choose something to my fancy. Unknown to me, she had in mind a dress watch within the range of RM200. Imagine her shock when I chose a Tissot with sapphire glass priced at RM960! But being the loving sister that she is, I walked away from that shop wearing my gift. But she swore later never to allow me to select my gifts again. Another sister, an economist reminds me of the character in Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol called Ebenezer Scrooge! Tearing open the wrapping paper of one of her presents can be a sobering experience. Still, what warms my heart is the feeling that someone cares about me – no matter what she has spent or what she has bought, I know she was "thinking of me". And after all, isn't it the thought that counts? Elizabeth, my eldest sister believes that nothing can replace the gift of a smile on a satisfied recipient who enjoys her cooking. Thus, during every celebration, be it Christmas, Chinese New Year or Hari Raya, everyone looks forward to a lip-smacking, finger licking meal. "Auntie Liz, your mutton kurma is the best-la" my nephew would often say. This alone is sufficient reward for her efforts. Liz's famous makans are noted for the mad rush to the food-laden table, and if that were to prove insufficient, then an equally mad stampede to the kitchen! Just as delectable as her mutton kurma are her jam tarts, and revellers have been known to unashamedly pack some away in containers, hand bags and just about anything that will sufficiently hold large helpings of it. Different strokes for different folks, so goes the famous epigram, and nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to my family. And as you've read in my story, there are more ways than one to find the perfect gift. Last but not least, be content with what you have and be grateful for the nice things that come your way. Until one feels the spirit of Christmas, there is no Christmas. All else is outward display – so much tinsel and decorations. For it isn't the holly, it isn't the snow. It isn't the tree not the firelight's glow. It's the warmth that comes to the hearts of men when the Christmas spirit returns again. – Another traditional Christmas saying Written by Adrian Cheah | Home | About Penang | Festivals | Calendar of Events | Local Cuisine | Heritage | | Accommodiation | Attractions | Shopping & Entertainment | e-goodies | Powered by  Penang Network Services Sdn Bhd 13th Floor, Wisma TNB, No.30, Anson Road, 10400 Penang, Malaysia. Tel: 04-228 9100  •  Fax: 04-228 9300 •  E-mail:info@penang.net.my Disclaimer and copyright

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