The art of gifting - is a very fine art. You learn with age. Or
should I say you realize after some time.
When a friend of mine Liza from the Bright Lights Big City (KL)
came back to her kampung for the kenduri (wedding
feast/celebrations), a curious me wanted to know the kind of gifts
exchanged hands in the kampung these days (it is not a traditional
custom in these parts for weddings). I asked L if I could be
present during the gift-opening ceremony. She reluctantly agreed.
Perhaps, because she owed me RM50. It was a big affair. Her
grandma, who cannot walk was also wheeled in from the next
room.
While Ls mother wanted the biggest gift to be opened first, L said
she wanted to go from the smallest to the biggest. The issue was
finally settled. She picked up the smallest gift...it had come from
a common friend of ours. The guy had gifted four tea cups with
saucers. Bastard!, I heard somebody saying. Dont know which side
it came from.
The next gift was a night lamp. By the time we finish, we would be
left staring at 18 night lamps. Wonder why people think after
marriage most couples end up sleeping.
After the lamps, it was a casserole. Next, a flask. Next, wall
clock. Next, a picture frame. And then, the gifts started repeating
itself. Someone had even taken the trouble of gifting a Sidney
Sheldon. Perhaps, he/she had finished reading it.
Then there was another common friend called P who gifted L a towel.
It looked familiar. Had I gifted it once to P...I was not sure. I
looked for that small mark in the corner compliments from my
favourite cat Jetti (how she got the name is another story)...which
was the reason why I had parted with it in the first place...and
yes, it was there. So, that cheapo had forwarded my gift.
I have already marked the ones that are not good gifters and
dont invite them to my functions. BTW, did I tell you...I have not
been getting much invites lately, I wonder why??
With lots of love and hugs, from
Jetti
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