Gifts always give smiles to our faces and these days, the more expensive they are, the wider are the smiles.

Two years ago, I received a PSP from my sister and with that, she automatically becomes my favourite. I only enjoyed it for a while though, since I rather like to play games that make me sweat. Thus, I started allowing others to borrow it until our youngest in the family came to visit me one Christmas. I allowed him to play and keep the gadget the entire time he was with me. He loved it and wanted to have it.

He is only eight years old and I don’t want to ignore his studies, so I told him that I am still using it. It is a lie, of course. That was the start of his incessant plea to get the gadget every time we talked over the phone. At the end of the call he would always ask, "Dadi, indi ka pa natak-an maghampang sang PSP?" I would only smile and say, “Indi pa.”

Five days ago, I mailed the PSP to him. It is a surprise for him. I asked his granny how he reacted when he opened the gift. She said that his eyes got teary but glowed with joy. He grabbed the phone from his lola and said, “Dadi, salamat guid ha. I love you. Muwah.” I wanted to crack a joke on him that it is only good until the year ends but did not. I do not want to spoil his joy. I am glad that he did not say anything about the gift as old or a “turn-over”. Perhaps, that is not important. What is more important is that he received something he thought he could not have.

Merry Christmas to all!