Meaningful gift-giving is an art... and the art of giving is one that anyone can learn.

Many people are "incognizant" gift-givers - they simply aren’t aware of the possibilities inherent in a gift! They throw money at some object in order to have a token... and often the token is just a symbol of their not being unprepared in a situation that they feel requires them to have a gift to give. Meaning... They lose out on all the meanings that a gift can have... and on all the delight that giving successfully can give both the giver and the receiver.

Because a gift can have many layers... So the impact of a wonderful gift can be felt in several ways, at various times ...perhaps for the receiver’s lifetime.

When I give a gift, I want to tap into as many layers as possible. I think it’s more than merely a game I play with myself... If I find myself in the position of not having a "multi-layered" gift at the right time, I feel cheated... Because I don’t have the joyful feeling of expectation in knowing that my gift will give... and give... and give (hopefully, well on into the future). Life is filled with multi-faceted meanings - I want my gift to direct the receiver’s attention to the richness of living (even if my gift didn’t cost anything!).

The first layer may be the wrapping... if there is any. (And so, why isn’t there? - see Packaging - The Outer Part of the Gift if you simply lack ideas.) Some gifts can’t easily be wrapped, or can’t well be wrapped in certain circumstances. ...However, even an air of mystery and suspense can be like a wrapper! (Or a chit, or photo, or clue that represents the gift can be wrapped... Who said you can’t wrap a horse?! ...Not to mention that you could devise a whole series of hidden clues that lead to the barn.)

The second layer (of the first importance) is suitability - a gift that fits the recipient. That "click" is a gift! And the lack of it, its unfortunate corollary, is a liability, an actual burden to the receiver. If you pay attention to only one thing, pay attention to this! ...And your gifts will be valued (and perhaps savored indefinitely).

Creativity, while not "everything", is a help! An imaginative surprise is a type of intrinsic gift - another one of the possible layers. If the creativity of the gift extends to its having been made by yourself, the layer expands. If made by someone else (or, more powerfully, yourself) exclusively for the receiver, it expands some more. We don’t all have the time, ability, inspiration, or perhaps money for this - but we know how to cherish such gifts when we get them; if such a gift does become possible, we rejoice!

For other layers, look through the following section, Principles for Gift-Giving... and see how many you might fuse into that gift for Aunt Mary - or even for the office party gift exchange!

The fact is that the muse for the art of giving may claim a return for her services:  It’s easy to get hooked on the quest for splendid gifts...