| Usually when we think of gift giving, we picture | | | | someone to express appreciation or affection. |
| ourselves as the giver of the gift and someone | | | | People usually give a gift as a token of |
| else as the recipient. We read articles and look for | | | | appreciation, or as a way to say they care or |
| ideas about how to give a great gift. | | | | they love you. It feels good to tell people pleasant |
| Seldom do we acknowledge that it can | | | | happy things like “I think you’re |
| sometimes be difficult to accept a gift that | | | | swell.” The giver is enjoying being able to |
| someone gives to us. Do you know people who | | | | share his feelings with you. Yes, just as it is |
| tell you that you shouldn’t have given | | | | sometimes hard to hear someone thank us for |
| them a gift? Do you know someone who | | | | something we did, it can be hard to accept a gift. |
| expresses discomfort when given a present, | | | | But while we might be feeling uncomfortable, that |
| even for a holiday or their birthday? Do you ever | | | | discomfort might be decreased if we remind |
| feel that the gift you’ve been given is | | | | ourselves that the other person is merely telling |
| overwhelming? | | | | us they like and/or appreciate us. |
| It can be hard to receive a gift from someone | | | | Since the person who gave you a gift has |
| else. But it’s not impossible, if we learn to | | | | enjoyed their part of the process and has |
| look at gift giving a little differently. | | | | expressed pleasant thoughts and feelings to you |
| The first thing you can do to feel better when | | | | by giving a gift, you can then remind yourself that |
| someone gives you a gift is to realize that the | | | | it can be your turn, now, to enjoy the process |
| giver put effort into thinking of a gift for you by | | | | and share pleasant feelings. Gifts do not require |
| going through the process if finding and buying it, | | | | reciprocity – that is another aspect of gift |
| or perhaps in making the gift. Don’t feel | | | | giving that makes them so wonderful. But, if you |
| guilty when you think of this! But realize that no | | | | want, you can now look for a reason for giving a |
| one made the giver think of giving a gift and no | | | | gift to the person who just gave you one! Taking |
| one made her go out and get it. She chose to do | | | | turns giving gifts can keep a communication cycle |
| this herself. Many people enjoy the whole gift | | | | of positive expressions going. |
| giving process. So the whole time, up to and | | | | While it can be difficult to actually receive a gift |
| including the point when they gave you their gift, | | | | when it is given, try realizing the giver enjoyed |
| they’ve been doing something pleasant and | | | | the process, remember they are expressing |
| enjoying themselves. | | | | affection or appreciation, and remind yourself that |
| Next, remember that a gift is a way for | | | | you can do the very same thing yourself. |