She had seen them in a shop before, but they were so expensive. How was Jim able to afford them? Suddenly, she remembers Jim’s present. She gives him the gold chain. The chain is beautiful, but when Della asks Jim to put it on his watch, Jim surprises her. He sold the watch to buy her those nice combs.
These very intimate lines from the story The Gift of the Magi is a short story written by O. Henry (Story from my high school literature textbook). This is a sentimental story with a moral lesson about gift-giving. I pick up this sensitive topic on Valentines day because it’s about love. I am a believer and believe in the art of gifting. But over the years the definition has evolved as initially my hubby did not believe in material give and take.
I wanted to share some of my ideas on gift giving which virtually didn’t cost a penny and remains priceless. Some are bold and some are beautiful.
BreakfastWithLove from HeuristicKitchens.com on Vimeo.
- A meal
I have always stressed about love through food. When you cook they say you cook from your heart and if you have a foodie spouse then nothing Pampers his hunger like a good luncheon or a hearty breakfast. It’s better than ordering a take away or spending it at the next top-notch restaurant on the block. I would definitely go for the mood setting with candles and ambient lighting. But my hubby could get my taste buds salivating over a bowl of instant noodles (Maggi in our case) at midnight for my birthday.
- A simple Hug
I think each of us live such a busy, micro complex lives where we have many layers to our day. It would seem unreasonable to say ‘what’s in a hug sorts’ but yes sometimes complimenting and hugging is taken for granted. It could be a sad hug or a happy hug. The most simple way to say we care. Be it valentines day or everyday.
- A Break
Sometimes some task bring in such monotony into our lives that if sometimes covers up for you or executes the task meant for you then there is nothing like it. Living abroad has taught us one thing that every piece of work to which we are so used to be done by a man Friday in my home country now becomes a ritual. Trust me it gets to you after a while. So we swap roles or tasks. Quite rarely, the task is completely overridden. I could go a dinner date with my pals while my hubby makes the kids go to sleep. Vise versa He could catch up on his next favourite movie at the theatre while I do the milk bottles and vessels. Bleh 🙂 Rather than beating yourself up for what you think you are doing wrong, allow yourself to be imperfectly human and take in the grace.
- A free Trial
A flicker of thought keeps nudging you about a passion. But you get too busy to pursue it or don’t have the right kind of money to pay for it. But a lot of these things come with a day of trail where you could experience the session without paying a dime for it. The experience gives you clarity about signing up for it. A cajole from your better-half also seals the deal. It could be a kick boxing trial or a Z workout. It’s all fair as its free. LOL!!
Most companies and organisers are quite cordial because it’s a part of their marketing strategies. A good percentage on hit or miss for future prospective attendees.
- A Treasure hunt
Human psychological maturity is defined as “acting appropriately in context of time and culture.”Thinking about the power of imagination can turn any normal day into an adventure. But due to our day-to-day chores we get so engrossed in it that we lose the value of gaming and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. Sit down and remember all the fun things we did with our friends. Our spouse is our soul mate well in most cases. Why not devise a treasure hunt around the house, in your garden with tiny hints for the next hidden place, racking our brains solving the clue. Something unpredictable out of the ordinary. Imagination is all about creating a new reality.
Initial years of my married life I used to buy my hubby some small tiny gifts very inexpensive and devise a treasure hunt around the house and each hint revealed the next place and the next gift Silly I know life has million possibilities if we have the ability to experiment.
- Doing Nothing
Sometimes I have nothing to gift nothing to cook nothing to create a surprise element. Our schedules are always filled up to the brink. One day or a few days and even moths for some lucky ones can be about doing nothing. Our machines need a shut down from time to time. Being able to be with each other is the biggest gift. No obligations attached. Once you do that you replenish your resources and peace and you come back with renewed energy to embrace life and relationships. How about just lounging in a park, in a coffee shop, a book shop, a bed….lying sitting sleeping languorous and seeping in all the mutual indulgence we have done for each other.
With that I leave you to run your imagination for more thing which can provide you eternal happiness and not material quest to please someone. Love you all X