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.