Some people argue that presents are extravagant because, most of the time, receivers do not get the things they need. Although I strongly agree with this statement, I do not support the idea of discouraging this act of kindness to your loved ones.
Before making any argument, one should look at the matter holistically to understand why it exists in the first place. The primary reason for this is because they are a great medium to express one’s love and gratitude toward their loved ones. For example, if a friend has helped you get into a dream job, you would feel very guilty and uncomfortable if you did not help him back or gift him something. In this particular case, it is often that your friend does not need any help back, so a present will be your only choice to pay back.
On the other hand, it would be lavish if the gifts were not useful for the recipient. For instance, at most celebrations, people purchase flowers to gift to their friends and loved ones because this practice has become the norm. Most of the time, donors do not know what to put much effort into researching about the presents, and when they search online, flowers and all sorts of useless items pop up.
One possible solution to tackle this issue is to put more effort and consideration into it. Since not all the time you can help them back, presents are still a good choice to express your appreciation. For example, a rich, powerful, and wealthy man would not need any material possessions, but a cutter for his cigar would come in handy when his own one is in bad condition. This shows that the donors put a lot of thought into it. Taking time studying your loved one, you can surely think of something to pay them back.
In conclusion, it is undeinable that undesired presents are a waste of money. However, I strongly support these practices as long as we put enough thought and efforts into them because they play a significant role in expressing gratitude and appreciation.
Hoang Son Anh 