Of money and presents.

Money or Presents?

To receive money as a present? 

Or an actual gift (besides money) as a present?

Which would you prefer? 

In any other occasion, it is undeniable that money will be the more enticing choice to receive; compared to a normal present, acquiring money will allow you to buy the thing that you actually want or need. However, in my opinion, I'd rather receive an actual gift, that is not money, as a present.

Why?

It's because receiving an actual present that is not money lets one remember and cherish the one who gave them the gifts more than those who just gave them money.

How is that so?

Well, figure me this.

Someone gave you money  

▼

Your money 

▼

You bought something for yourself

▼

Your stuff

Still don't understand what I'm trying to convey?

Here, the process is something like this.

When someone gives you money, it becomes YOUR MONEY.

When you used that money to buy something, it becomes YOUR STUFF.

In brief, it ends with you buying the item on your own and unconsciously identifying it as just one of the many items that you have bought with your own money/effort. You may use the money that you have received to buy the object you so desire; however, the money receiving part would never be on par to the fact that you bought the article on your own.

You may love and cherish the item that you bought using the money that you have received, but it is quite a difficult task to see "the thing you bought" as "the thing you receive”.

Now, do you get the picture?

You may remind yourself that the money you received is a gift at first; but due time, you'll inadvertently see it as your money to use as you wish.

Yes, money is important, but one can get it anywhere either by working for it or by receiving it;

However, when one receives something which is not money as a present,

the meaning to the thing that one receives will always be "the thing I received".

Hence, you'll cherish it and the giver more. 

Nonetheless, it does not mean that giving money as a present is bad in itself. If you, in fact, know that the person you intend to give a present to is in need of money due to unfavorable circumstances they are in, why not? Why won’t you give them money if it helps them, even if it is just a little?

Ultimately, it still depends on the situation. :)

On another note, the person who receives the present should also appreciate what they get.

They should never be ungrateful of what they receive.

At the very least, someone is willing to give you something, right?

Appreciate the effort, no?

And a note for the ones who wants to choose a present to give,

It isn't about the price or the brand.

Even if it's cheap, if you can find something that is useful or within the receiver's range of interest,

Shouldn't that be enough?

 

Lastly, and if you really really can't think of anything to give;

give them some good food.

That always work. ;p