What is the Best Christmas Gift?

While a lot of people are busy shopping and packing their gifts; unfortunately, some also do not really know what to gift this Christmas. I’m actually caught in between that’s why I asked some friends to help me answer this question. Here they are:

James Allan Sayson (Cebu City). “The chance to be of help to others is the best Christmas gift. While helping should not only be done during Christmas, but the season makes helping a little more special.”

Jessie Gler (Pasig, Metro Manila). “Living Together in Love is the best we can give.”

Hallobel S. Limbaga (Dubai, United Arab Emirates). “Love for all. Unconditional love.”

Yuki Takamatsu (Japan). “Boyfriends or a husband. Ticket from New Zealand to Japan. Scholarship. Job offer from the United Nations.”

Lolainne Fernandez Macaventa (Boljoon, Cebu). “Peace. Good health. Rewarding work.”

Nico Ivan Velasquez (Cebu City Marriot Hotel). “Trip with the family.”

Roche Kho Villaluz (Manulife). “Personalized stuff like pillow cases, towels with names on it.”

Lee Dela Cerna (Cebu Provincial Government and Fame Modeling Management). “Loving one another. Giving back. Stuff for poor children such as shirts, slippers, a Teddy bear, bozes of chocolates.”

Rommel Subingsubing (Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc.). “Happiness. Love. Health. Contentment.”

Asuka Menchavez (Maldives). “Knowing that I am still whole and standing strong. Realizing that I am still blessed with life and I can still make a change for myself.”

Dr. Richard Fuentes Ruelan (Paknaan National High School, Mandaue City). “The fact that I was not confined in the hospital for this year. For seven consecutive years, I was in and out of the hospital for a very rare medical condition. This year and in the many years to come, I am so blessed that God gives me the gift of good health.”

Divine Grace Heradura (Southwestern University). “Not being able to worry about the future and being able to live carefree without overthinking.”

Jenny Jane A. Amante (Dreamscape Networks Inc.) “Time. Enough time for me to have a chance to go home and celebrate Christmas or New Year with my family since I am far away from them.”

Louie John Fuentes (Sibonga, Cebu). “Over the past Christmas seasons, it has always been the best since I’m seeing my family wearing their best smiles without a hint of illnesses and diseases. This year and the next years to come there could only be one best gift that I always wish for and that’s good health for my entire family. We may not have a big spacious house, an expensive car and gadgets but these things will just perish but I will always a have my healthy and happy family.”

Mary Rose Teves- Manugas (Asian College of Technology). “The very fact that we are alive. People tend to satiate others by giving them gifts and by holding events but all these could not be enjoyed without firstly being alive. By saying alive, it’s not just merely breathing but by putting value to our time here on earth, by staying true to the calling of our dreams, and by pursuing the God-implanted passions of our souls. Christmas after all, is a celebration of life, of meaningful life.”

Robert Solon Osabel (University of Cebu). “ Jesus the Emmanuel was the best gift ever on a Christmas. He was born for us, he was like us in all things but not sin. Also, the presence of our loved ones during this joyous season is the best and most essential gift. It gives us a sense of belongingness and happiness to the heart. It epitomizes God’s love for His children.”

Dr. Roselle Jardin- Ranario (Cebu Normal University). “I don’t think the best gift this Christmas is a ‘thing’. I unexpectedly lost my best friend this year to a sudden death that made me realize that the most precious gift of all is the gift of life – -. the opportunity to be with friends and family and the sweetest reunions. After all, Christmas is all about love, and LOVE is spelled T-I-M-E.”

Thankfully, these friends taught me a thing or two about gift giving. I realized I needed to gain more insights and come up with my own answer to the question, so I read again the story of American fictionist O. Henry entitled The Gift of the Magi. For those who are already familiar with the story, please allow me to refresh your memory and for those who are not yet familiar, let me give you a glimpse of its plot.

A day before Christmas, a poor couple was thinking of what to give each other as a surprise Christmas gift. Yet, neither of them has enough money to buy whatever it is that they thought the one would appreciate. The husband thought of giving his wife a set of beautiful combs because she has the longest, shiniest and healthiest hair in town. The wife also thought of surprising her husband with a watch chain because his heirloom watch which seems to be the only material possession that he has needs a chain for it to be worn.

However, the couple really did not have sufficient funds to buy the items they thought that would make each of them happy during Christmas. Desperate enough, the husband sold his watch so he has something to buy for the set of combs that he intends to give to his wife; while the wife went to the parlor and sold her beautiful hair so she would have something to buy for the watch chain she wanted to give her husband.

When the couple finally met at home, the greatest surprise they could ever get happened. The husband was shocked at the sight of her wife who already has a short hair, he is even more flabbergasted at the fact that his gift to his wife would be of no use already to her. The wife also revealed to him that she had her hair cut and sold because she needed money to buy the watch chain that she is going to give him as a surprise Christmas gift.

Now another question: Were they both foolish to sell their most valuable possession? The author of the story said NO. In fact, they are wise. Just like the magi, the three wise men who brought presents to the baby Jesus Christ in the lowly manger, the couple sacrificed and let go of the valuable possessions they have for the person they love.

What is the best Christmas gift? Of course, people are unique and so the gifts they should give and receive should also depend on who they are, what they are or what they need.

Still looking for the finest present this season? Here are my suggestions:

To your clients, pleasant service
To your boss, unrelenting patience.
To a child, a good example.
To a friend, trust and honesty.
To your enemy, compassion and forgiveness.
To yourself, respect.
To the world, gratitude.

Yes, the best Christmas gift could be YOU!

Be blessed and be a blessing to others!