Everything in the world is a symbol. Christmas lights are a symbol of lighted hearts. The symbol, consciously or subconsciously, reminds you of all the light that goes on in the human heart. It is a reminder. Let the love in your heart be seen. Turn on the light in your heart.
Symbols are required in the world. Santa Claus is a symbol of giving. Wrapped gifts are a symbol of giving. Naturally, there is a greater than an electric train or the most desired doll or anything you wrap and put under the tree.
There's no fun in obligation. Make sure that your heart goes with the gift you give. Make sure that you have delight in the gift-giving. Nothing is given unless joy goes along with it. If you cannot think of the right gift, if you cannot think of something material that is just right for the person you are giving to, then give them something that they can share with others. Chocolates are an old stand-by. Flowers. A plant.
Gifts are meant to be tokens of love. Pull those tokens out of your heart, and give them.
During the year when there is no holiday or special event, still be thinking of what you can give. A note of appreciation is good. A toy whistle. Anything at all so that someone knows he is in your heart and welcome there. It is a wonderful gift to think of someone and to let them know you are thinking of them. And then they will think to pass on the light you gave to them to someone else.
This is how love grows in the human heart.
It is your heart you are to give on all occasions and for no occasion at all. The opportunity to give a dewdrop of love exists. You will find it.
Allow your heart to become soft, not hard. Unharden your heart. De-ice it. Start right now. Let your heart melt in love. There is every occasion to give love. There is no occasion to withhold it. I know you think there is. You think there are plenty of pitfalls around, and so you lift up the skirt of your heart, careful to keep your heart above the throng.
Beloveds, when you give with thought of return, you haven't given. You have been fishing. You have been trying to catch something.
When your heart feels hurt, you have been expecting something, and you didn't get it. You may like to think you are sensitive and that others are insensitive, but let Me tell you squarely, that is your ego whispering in your ear. Your ego takes affront. That's what ego does. Ego tells you that you are owed something, and an individual or two or life itself has been remiss, and so you sniffle.
Beloveds, if you are owed anything, you owe it to yourself to open your heart and give and give and give. It really is not your heart that aches. It is your ego. You are trying to stand up for yourself, or defend yourself. There is no need. What you need is to give more. Preoccupy yourself with giving and not with feeling hurt.
Do not compare the gifts you give with what you receive or don't receive. That is a blind alley. Don't go down it.
This is one advantage in giving anonymously. You don't expect anything in return, not even a thank you.
And that is how you want to give, just old-fashioned giving from a heart that knows its role in life and loves to play it.