Recently, I sold my iPhone 3G. I was procrastinating whether to sell it because it was Papa Ed’s Christmas gift for me. That gift was really a surprise to me because I didn’t expect to receive such a trendy gift especially when Papa Ed doesn’t have one himself. Reluctantly, I gave it up after 6 months since my new HTC Diamond 2 is more able to meet my needs and I don’tneed two handphones.

Recollecting all the gifts that our family members have been giving to each other lately, I could hardly recall a gift that is not electronic or IT product. The issue with these products is that they depreciate in value and get replaced by newer technologies. However, with greater reliance on technologies, we feel that no other gifts seem more practical (at least this is true for the family). In fact, Papa Ed and I would feel so uncomfortable if we have to live without our PCs and handphones for even one day.

Whether it is birthdays, Christmas or rewards, we have been giving the boys Xbox player, DS Lite game sets, computers and PS 3 player. For brithdays and wedding anniversaries, I have also been receiving electronic photo frame, MP3 player, camera and handphone as gifts. Although others might admire me for being able to receive these items, I somehow miss those older days when I received gifts that might not cost so much but means a million my heart like a bouquet of flowers, a watch that I wear for many many years, a sweet card with meaningful words, a short little trip with my loved ones, and those montages of family photographs.

With electronic gifts, it is a pity to sell or throw them away when they get obsolete or out of order as they tend to bear sentimental values to me. However, I can’t possibly also keep these collections at home since there is no space. Each time, I look at these gifts, I am in a dilemma. Perhaps, we should stop being practical and start being meaningful the next time we share gifts with the family members.