Christmas gifts become a business

Christmas gifts become a business

By T. Sima Gunawan

JAKARTA (JP): It's Christmas. Although Indonesia is a predominantly Moslem country, a Christmassy atmosphere can be felt in its big cities, at shopping malls in particular. Giant Christmas trees, beautifully decorated with twinkling lights and pretty ornaments, have become part of the year-end decorations.

A wide range of Christmas parcels are available in almost all the big stores. Choices range from cookies and soft drinks neatly packed in a lovely basket, to electronic goods like Nintendo, or even a computer.

Big discounts are also offered to shoppers. Buyers don't want to miss them. They throng shopping centers to find the best gifts for the people they love. But not everybody links Christmas with gifts. Many don't even remember the last Christmas present they received.

The following are comments of what some people think about Christmas presents:

Nino Ulaan, a Citibank employee: Last year I got a check from my parents. They also gave the same thing to my older sister and my younger brother. That's better because we can buy things we need with it.

When we were kids, Santa Claus put presents in my socks. That was fun. Now I don't expect any Christmas gifts from my parents. I mean, it won't matter if I don't get anything. But it is a tradition in my family to give presents to the children at Christmas and that tradition continues.

We don't exchange gifts. We, the children, don't give gifts to our parents. We only give them nice Christmas cards.

My parents have a Christmas party in our house. My parents also give Christmas presents to my nephews, nieces and cousins.

I send Christmas cards to my friends and give presents only to the one who is very special.

Meliana Sihombing, a labor activist: I've never wished for a Christmas gift. We don't have such a tradition in my family, even though we are all Christians. The only thing I get is Christmas cards. But even a card makes me happy. Of course, there are many things I want. But as I have said, I will not expect anything because it's not my tradition to give or accept Christmas presents. Christmas cards will do.

Asmara Nababan, member of the National Commission on Human Rights: At Christmastime we are reminded of our "debt" to God and other people. We owe God because God has saved us instead of punishing us sinful people. That is the justice of God. Therefore, I try to repay the debt by being just and helping the victims of injustice.

About Christmas gifts. Don't send me any presents. The more I receive, the more I become indebted because I will have to share them with those who need them. The concept of Christmas parcels is manipulation. They are sent to people who don't need them, while those who do need them don't get any.

In my family, we don't exchange gifts. If you give presents to your family to show your love, that's fine. Hopefully it will not stop at that point. There are destitute people out there who need our love, too.

Marianne Katoppo, a writer: There is a commercialization of giving Christmas gifts. Christmas presents have become a business. I don't know who started this.

But, yes, of course you can give presents to special friends, to people you love to show your affection.

Last Christmas people gave me mostly books. Books are good gifts and there are many other good gifts. The whole idea is to express your feelings, not to commercialize the gifts.

Thomas Sigar, a designer: There is a tradition in my family of giving Christmas presents. I still remember, when I was little, putting some grass in my shoe before I went to bed. It was a Dec. 5 in the 1950s. When I woke up in the morning, the grass had gone and in return, I got some nice presents from Santa Claus.

There is also the tradition of getting together with my big family to celebrate Christmas. When I was a kid, I used to get lots of presents from my family. Now I get more from my friends and business colleagues.

There isn't any gift that I really want. I like all the presents I get.

It doesn't matter whether we receive any Christmas gifts. The theme of Christmas is to rejoice and we can still be joyous without gifts.

If you want to give Christmas presents, it would be better to give them to those in need, like orphans. I collect funds from other designers ... hairdressers, and give them to the church, or use them to organize social activities. What's important is that we're not supposed to give presents only at Christmastime, but throughout the year.

Ade Rostina Sitompul, a social worker: I don't really need anything for myself. I will be happy if my children, my relatives, or friends wish me a Merry Christmas. They don't have to send me any gifts. I also appreciate Christmas cards, or telephone calls.

Dengi Siburian, a stewardess: The thing I want most is peace. Peace of heart and peace on earth. Serving God, the people we love, people who are in misery; that can be our best Christmas gift.

About "bought gifts". Who doesn't like gifts? I will be more than happy if you knock on my door and come in with presents. How about a bunch of flowers. I love fresh flowers.

Bakti Sudaryono, manager of administration, World Bank: I am the only one in my family who is a Catholic. My parents and siblings do not celebrate Christmas.

I don't have the tradition of giving Christmas presents to the children. We can give the children new clothes, or presents any time they need them. What is important at Christmastime is the togetherness and prayers.

I do get some Christmas parcels from my friends. Well, I send them parcels on Idul Fitri, and in return, they send me parcels, mostly food, at Christmastime. I just distribute them to people in my office.

Once, I got a home gym as a Christmas present from my friends. At the beginning I used it a lot, but now I am too lazy to exercise.

Haryo Mukti, employee of a private company: I have never received Christmas gifts from my friends or family. Oh yes, when I was in elementary school my parents gave me some presents but I don't remember what they were.

Celebrating Christmas means remembering Jesus Christ as our savior. This is to remind us that God exists.

What I do at Christmastime is go to church. That's all. No presents, no new clothes.