Gift-Wrapped

I am one of those people who like to make presents look all flawless and picturesque. But making something seem so lovely and delicate only makes that moment of tearing to shreds a person's careful presentation all the more delicious. Indeed, I feel that the precise art of wrapping is to pent up energy daily as a person eyes a package until that fateful morn.

I don't approve of curly ribbons, but I do insist upon neatly folded wrapping around cubic shapes. Boxes, in my opinion, are to complete the purpose and pleasure of surprise that comes with gift-giving. If something is some strange and very decisive shape, there's only a short list of things is could be. But a box, now, anything could be contained therein. It also alludes to the classic image of children gathered around a tree and shaking packages with their names on them, trying to guess what the other got them and the donor giggling with glee because the recipient's guesses aren't even close! Of course, Boxes allow for that slight disappointment when the reality of what the box really contains shatters all the dreams of life-long wishes that do the polka in our sub-consciouses, being instead something useful and not at all fun. But I relish the unknown moment before destroying a present's perfectly crafted exterior to discover the magic inside.

Some people look down upon gift-giving as evidence that a once purely religious and holy celebration has become secular and shallow, but I disagree, at least on my own part. I see gift-giving as an expression of one's love. I don't totally hold with the need to get someone something expensive or overly fancy, but something personal, that creates a deeper understanding of you with that person is wholly Christian, I think.