Creativity as a Gift

What could be inside that box I wonder?

Not the gift you're born with, but the kind that you receive and give to others. Giving gifts is an integral part of human communication, because it can show affection toward others in situations where words could not possibly help. Nowadays, obtaining a gift is as easy as buying a teddy bear and a box of chocolates from your local pharmacy. However, the best way to show your gratitude, is by using your creativity to make a gift of your own. Everyone is capable of giving gifts, but know that a memorable gift is one that is truly unique and embraces the feelings of its sender.

In the psychological discourse of creativity, perhaps the most referenced structure is the 4C model, it basically describes how little creative achievements can lead to greater satisfaction. I feel that this structure can apply to the act of giving gifts as well, for both the sender and the recipient. The reasoning behind this is actually quite simple, if a person is bogged down by sadness, wouldn't they be capable of achieving greater things while being happy? Giving a gift goes both ways, and the sentiment of giving a self-made gift is essentially giving what you're worth. If the receiver can accept such a heart-felt gift, then both people would've found happiness in each other due in part to creativity.

When I was only six and living in New York, my parents had decided on divorce and custody was given to my mother. After my dad had packed up and left, I would always hear her crying from outside my room, and in the middle of night no less. Even at that age, I had recognized all the care she'd shown to raise me, I wanted to help and try to make her feel happy again. But along with that young age, there was also my lack of knowledge. I couldn't find the words to say that would comfort her, I didn't know anything about how adults think.

That week in school, my arts and crafts teacher was making us do pottery projects. There weren't many limitations on the project, so long as the ball of clay we sculpted didn't end up being a ball, and that it had paint on it. My teacher had encouraged us to be creative as possible, she hadn't even shown us any pictures of what the project should look like as to not infringe upon our creativity. I looked around and saw that most students were creating pieces of art that they would like to keep for themselves, large watercolor dragons for the boys, or figures of Disney princesses for the girls.

There was a girl in my class who made a dragon. It was incredibly detailed and she was always known for being talented in arts and crafts. Imagine making something like picture related in 3rd grade!

But the only thing I could think about was the situation at home. I remember the month being December, all the rooms were chilly and Christmas would eventually come by. If I couldn't give up any words to my mom, I could at least make her something, but what? I figured the best gift for Christmas would have to do with the things I loved most about winter season; hot chocolate with marshmallows and a bundle of presents under the Christmas tree.

I didn't have the cash to provide any of those things, but at that moment I could make a tall mug for the hot chocolate, and a few Christmas ornaments. I remember putting this silly yellow smiley face on the mug, and it having nothing to do with Christmas, and for the ornaments I used the tasteful color mixture of purple and brown. But in the end I was satisfied with the result.

Something similar to what I had made. except mine wasn't as artistic, haha.

It took all my willpower to avoid eating the marshmallows I had obtained during class for my mom's hot chocolate, but after school I had ran home, eager to show her my gifts. When night came I presented them to her at the dinner table and she generated a smile before saying; "Where's the hot chocolate?" Oh shoot I had forgotten, and it made me feel stupid. But my insensibility didn't matter because she shrugged it off with a laugh and walked to the kitchen pantry to whip out a packet of Nestle and some warm milk.

That night we also got to watch the starry night sky on the front patio with the Christmas tree on our yard, complete with my childish artwork on the ornament decorations. We had both forgotten completely about everything that happened before and cherished the moment.

 

All it takes for you to save somebody from a long period of grief, is to show them that you care. I'm no poet, but I don't think there's any combination of words that work better than a gift. You can express the care in your gift by being creative, your gift should feel unique, but you don't have to go out of your way to make it expensive. After all, it's the thought that counts.

Andrew Kien

Undergraduate Student at The University of North Florida