Show loved ones that you care
I recently found out that my sister really needs a card holder and a file. So I intend to buy them for her without waiting for her next birthday because it would be too late then.
If you really care about a person, you should know what they want and need. It is not necessary to wait until someone's birthday to send them presents.
In general, the Chinese don't openly express their love and feelings for others. If there's a VIP (very important person) in your life, show that you care about them and treat them with respect. If you see something you know they'd like, buy it for them. If you know they need help with something, help them.
Actions speak louder than words. It's time to take action and show that you care about your parents, siblings and friends.
Sally Chan Ka-yan
From the Editor
Thank you for your letter, Sally. These days, we all tend to be a little materialistic. We expect exciting gifts at birthdays and Christmas, and if our friends and family don't perform to our expectations, we are often annoyed.
But gifts should not be proof of how much money we have. They should only be proof of how we feel about a loved one.
And like you said, we should not save gifts for 'special occasions'. In fact, a gift can be a lot more meaningful if we buy it just because we see something someone would like.
But even more important than physical gifts are the things we do for our loved ones, and even for strangers. Whether it's small things like holding the door open for someone or giving up your seat on the MTR for someone in need, or bigger things like helping a friend finish a project or offering to cook dinner for your parents, doing things for other people makes their lives a little bit better.
But what's even cooler about being thoughtful is that you feel better afterwards. What are you waiting for?
Karly, Sub-editor
