It is that time of year again. When we were kids—admit it—we really hoped for a good haul on Christmas morning. And no matter how many nice things we got, we were somehow disappointed: there weren’t quite enough gifts with our name on them, our sister got something nicer than us, and the one thing we really wanted wasn’t there.
But now we’re adults, it’s different. It’s even worse now! How many times have we—admit it—stressed out about: who to give to; how much to spend; how to buy gifts you can’t afford; how to act happy when you receive a gift you don’t like; how to find a gift for someone who has everything; feeling like you have to give a gift when you don’t really want to; feeling like the gifts you give won’t be appreciated; feeling like the gifts you give won’t be as expensive as the gifts other people give; and–my personal favorite–how to find a perfect gift for someone who thinks you ought to be able to do so without so much as a hint! Oh, wait. We Christians aren’t supposed to worry about those things. I almost forgot.
From a strictly Emily Post point of view, one can learn how to do right by taking this 10-question quiz on the etiquette of gift-giving. Sadly, I only got a 70.
From a Biblical point of view, there is a lot to learn about gift-giving too. Here are some examples:
- Gifts were used to improve a strained relationship (Genesis 32:20; Proverbs 21:14).
- Gifts were a way to make friends and influence people (Proverbs 18:16).
- People give gifts to God (Leviticus 22:17-19).
- God gives gifts to people–notably, the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5) and eternal life (Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8)
Perhaps the most well-known passages about gifts are about spiritual gifts (Romans 12 and I Corinthains 12). Interestingly enough, one of those gifts is giving (aka generosity).
My favorite Bible passage about gifts is Matthew 7:9-11:
Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
No matter how bad our kids have been all year long, when Christmas comes, we forgive and forget, and we lavish all we can upon them because we love them so much. No wonder Jesus uses that as an example of how he loves and gives good gifts to us. We evil and imperfect parents still give good gifts to our children, whether they deserve them or not. Our Father in heaven does the same to us, only more so!
You’ve only got a couple more shopping days before Christmas, but don’t stress out—give thanks to God for his indescribable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15).
Regarding the quiz:
Results: 9 out of 10 Right (90%)
Great score! You handle gift giving and receiving with class.
I was literally in shock as I kept getting them right. You have to understand, I think most people would consider my gift etiquette horrendous. I almost never give presents (out of laziness), and I don’t measure them by other people’s presents. I think gift cards are awesome and a never write thank you notes. I have no problem with people exchanging what I give. I don’t even think Sadie and I ever got to Christmas cards this year. I would think that I would score a big fat zero on such a test - maybe I’m just lightyears ahead of everyone else.
http://twog.wordpress.com/2007/12/17/cs-lewis-on-christmas-and-xmas/
I got 7 out of 10 on the quiz. I was wrong about regifting, gift receipts, and reciprocating. Usually my only real problem is figuring out what to get for somebody. It needs to be an appropriate gift, and that’s often difficult. I’m a little bit worried about the gift giving this year, more so than other years, because I put off the planning until pretty late. But I’ll figure it all out.
Jew, it is possible that you and I have been influenced by missionary thinking. It isn’t always socially correct.
)
Colin, shame on you for not writing thank you notes. I doesn’t have to a woman’s job, you know. (I’m scolding you because I have to write them all at my house!
Colin, shame on you for not writing thank you notes. I doesn’t have to a woman’s job, you know. (I’m scolding you because I have to write them all at my house!
But that was the right answer on the quiz!
I got 8 out of 10 - missed the regifting and gift receipt ones.
Notice that the thank-you note question applied only to cases were you thanked that person when you received it. Presumably you;re still supposed to send thank you notes when people send you gifts in the mail.
Agreed.