A reason I believe people don’t simply ask is because they’d think it would be bad. Some may think that the fact they don’t know what to give is a sign of not caring, but that may not be true. One of the three factors of Human Success, Heaven Luck, which is our characteristics, can show that not knowing is not because one doesn’t care, but simply because it is difficult to remember because that is what one is like. Understanding that this is what one is like, prompts one to easily deal with it with one’s effort.
After understanding and coming to terms with one’s innate traits, working toward improving it is key. Like how one can’t be attentive enough to know what someone wants for the holidays, it can be worked around by asking directly, or discreetly, about what they want. By simply taking the first step to improvement, it will not only help the one receiving the gift, but also oneself as it makes it easier to communicate in the future.
However, if one still feels bad for asking, one can easily make up for it in other ways. Perhaps in the quality or quantity of the gift one can make up for not knowing ahead. One must always keep in mind that being attentive or communicating to know what to gift all point towards the same goal—wanting to show appreciation. It is in this desire to repay this person that compels someone to give and both communicating and being attentive display that.
The spirit of the holidays is all about coming together and reflecting on the year one has had. Whether showing gratitude via being attentive or communicative is done, what matters is one desires and attempts to create greater and lasting bonds through their own way. During times like these, the rare grateful side of people will come out and it is important to not compare how one is grateful. In the end, giving a gift is giving a unique piece of the self and is not only a step for one’s growth, but the growth of all that person loves.