The record-union., 1899-12-23
OF GIFT GIVING.

7 OBJ GIFT GIVING.
The Christmas season is upon us and
the gtftImaking time is well advanced.
Most Of the gifts to be purchased for
friends near to our homes will be fixed
upon to-day, though it is probable that
many have already been selected. But
as yet none have been delivered at
home. What should our gifts be? AS
suredly such as will testify not to the
fairness Of the pocket, but to the
warmth Of the heart.
In our system there should be moth
ing Of the exchange idea common
among Orientals. The gift given in ex-
pectation of q. return favor is likely to
prove a curse. The gift given because
it testifies to sincere regard, deep af-
lection, unobtrusive charity or the love
for children is blessed. But no gift is
a benediction that cripples the giver.
He who gives beyond his ability does
an injury to himself that he has no
right to infiict.
1t Is rather sad to reflect that we have
grown away from the home1y custom
of making our gifts Of simple and
typical things. into the custom of max
ing them costly and not always speak
ing things If all our presents in this
season OF universal good will could be
confined to flowers, to the handiwork
OF the stver. to books of worth, to small
and gentle reminders of the love we
bear toward the recipient, how very
much better it would be for both.
But we are in the whirl of the oppos-
lite of simple living and simple giving.
Let us therefore at least make our CIV
ing OF real value to the favored one.
Let him or her feel that the gift carries
something Of the heart of the giver
upon its forefront. We ought to rise
to the level Of the courage that will
prevent us giving because it is ex-
pected. giving as a matter Of mere
duty, rather than of sincere regard or
heart affection.
The giving should give pleasure to
ourselves. If in contemplating the
making Of holiday present we feel no
thrill of pleasure, we may be sure that
the gift will be i'll bestowed if made.
There Is one direction, however, in
which we may rest assured that pleas
ure Will be felt by the recipients, and
that the giver too will feel that his or
her effort has been productive of good
TO the donor-namely, gifts to little chill
oren that will gladden. their hearts. in
crease the sum of their joys and make
them feel that love is theirs for deserv-
ing. 1t takes very little indeed to
please child. very little to satisfy it's
desire and fill its soul with joy, even
though it is but temporary We need
not therefore contemplate costly gifts
Tor the little ones They are content
with the gift, however small or rude
ihe child of all others feels If it does
not understand the thought of a gift.
A costly gift to the poor is a direct
oHense 1t is received with pain, in
varfa bly,, however much the declara-
ton may be to the contrary. The poor
are the most sensitive of human beings:
they are offended, and justly so. by
any gift that has the suggestion of os-
tentation, of the parading of superior
financial ability. We ought to have a
definite conception of what we wish to
give, since by such judgment first
formed we are far more likely to make
the gift fitting to- the character and con-
dition Of the recipient. Besides, it en-
ables US to take pre-measurement of
the amounts we can afford to expend
for gifts. If we receive a gift let not
the thought for one moment be enter
tanned that the giver expects one in re-
turn. We do him or her grievous
wrong by such thought and discredit
the sincerity, affection or love that
prompted the giving.
We should not give simply because
we always have given in a certain d.
rection. The gift that was appropriate,
welcome and gave pleasure to both last
year, may not perhaps be repeated this
year. We change our relations, grow
out Of past nearness and into other re-
lations with the changing years, more
or less. No true friend will feel for
single instant that he or she has lost
the respect or friendship of one who
gave last year and does not this. For