Yesterday was my daughter's end-of-year party. But before then I had been so occupied with my life that I didn’t really pay attention to the school’s WhatsApp platform; eventually, when I did, it was two days to the party, and that was when I saw so many updates, like the outfit my daughter would put on and an exchange of gifts between the parents and teacher. I had limited time, but first I started with my daughter’s outfit, which should either be a white or red gown according to the Christmas theme.
So after getting the outfit, it was now time for the gift to exchange. I had a really hard time picking up a gift. So I thought about maybe a mug should do or probably a set of wine glasses or fine china wares, but then it was such a limited time that the distance to getting either of the items listed was a problem.
Notably, I was also incurring a lot of expenses at the time, and it almost felt like I had no spare cash for a gift. I was tense; I didn't want to show up to my daughter's school empty-handed. I also didn't want her to feel left out or have her classmates talking to her and questioning why her mommy came without a gift.
Besides, it's the month of Christmas and a period of giving, plus I have a ritual of not showing up anywhere empty-handed. Usually I’d get food items or edibles, but given the nature of the event, I could not do that. I needed something sustainable and durable, so why I lamented, my mom overheard and then advised.
A piece of advice that changed everything and gave me a much broader outlook and cheaper alternatives to my options for gifts. You see, my mommy advised that with gifts the worth is almost inconsequential; there are gifts that cost so much but are almost useless to the person you are gifting to.
My mom further advised that whatever I’m getting, regardless of the cost, should be something that will serve. Immediately I thought of an electric lamp, being that the electricity supply is not constant. Although there are areas with relatively good supplies, it still does go out, and it becomes pitch black.
I remember when I was much younger and how we battled with locally made lamps before eventually my parents got an electric one, and then when the light went out, it lit up the whole place, and we really did not have to worry about anything catching on fire like when we used the local lamps or candles.
Taking this trip down memory lane, I sought for a good rechargeable lamp for my gift exchange and was so glad that I did, and eventually when it was time on the programme for us to exchange gifts, I just handed mine to my daughter’s teacher – a little token of appreciation and show of love for being part of my daughter’s academic journey.
