I hear a lot of obligation mixed with the holiday celebration. My community and I are clear that we don’t believe in obligational reciprocity. We give gifts and accept invitations out of choice, not obligation. It’s very freeing.
I read a blog post yesterday abut regifting. It talked about strategies to regift without risking the original giver finding out. I figure, once I give a gift, it’s not mine anymore. I’m delighted if the receiver gets pleasure from passing something I gave them on.
So the PowerPhrase?
- It gives me joy to give this to you. There are no strings on it at all.
- Let’s give gifts (or not) out of choice, not obligation.
A gift with strings and obligation can become a burden, In fact, it’s not really a gift at all.