TRINA YujUICO KALAW, president, First Orient Securities: I gave my mother-in-law a shawl from Russia in 2000. I received it back from her for Christmas last December. I don’t think anyone will beat that one ... But you know what? Remember that movie of Cary Grant where his favorite aunt gave his girlfriend her favorite shawl? This way I take it as an honor that I got back one of my mother-in-law’s favorites .
JIM PAREDES, photographer, composer: My brother Raffy is one of the best gift givers at Christmas. His aim is always to surprise and delight. One time, he had no money at all but vowed that he would have gifts for everyone. So what he did was look for things we took for granted at home – my pair of shoes, a humongous stone, something from the kitchen, my sisters’ old dresses and stuff, fruits inside the ref, etc., and he wrapped them. When it was time for gift-giving, we were all surprised to see that he had gifts for each sibling. After the first gift from him was opened (my brother’s old ragged pants), we all burst into laughter. Everyone was excited to know what each sibling was going to open but waited for their turn. It was a suspense-filled moment waiting for the gifts to be unwrapped. Everyone was anticipating what was inside every gift so it elicited a lot of fun and excitement. It was a big hit. Every year, he goes the extra mile to make his gifts memorable. One time, he gave me a collection of election campaign materials, pins and stuff, including a big calendar with dedication and signature from a politician I absolutely hated. That was really funny. I still keep it to this day because it is so well-thought-out in its tackiness.
LETTY SYQUIA, chairperson, Opera Ball: When my husband (the late Ambassador Enrique Syquia) and I celebrated our silver wedding anniversary, we received a huge silver picture frame, but alas, with the givers’ own wedding photo still there! My husband suggested a thank-you note saying, "Thank you for the lovely picture frame. Your photo will always serve as an inspiration to us."
XANDRA RAMOS, general manager, Crossings Department Store: When I was living in China, I gave a box of Philippine dried mangoes to my Chinese tutor to show my appreciation for teaching me the language for free. But when I opened the box to show her, it was already half-eaten. I had grabbed the wrong box from my mom’s pantry!
TINA SILVA-NAVARRO, fashion designer, Ilaya Couture: As much as I love receiving food as gifts for the holidays, we’ve had a couple of experiences where we received them as recycled gifts. Like Christmas, we received a hastily rewrapped, re-taped can of broas that was also half-eaten. Another gift was a box of cookies given to us the day after Christmas. Surprisingly or coincidentally, the expiration date was also on the same day. It’s all good, though. After all, it’s the thought that counts, right?
TINA REVILLA VALENCIA, TV personality: I don’t really recycle gifts unless I know that the person to whom I will give it needs it badly. If that’s the case, I am honest with that person and tell her it was a gift to me and that she may want it for herself. I don’t think there is anything wrong with recycling gifts. The person you pass it on to may need it more than you do.
LIZA BERROYA SALUD, Bb. Pilipinas beauty queen: For lack of any funny recycled stories of my own, let me share what happened to my husband last Christmas. We exchanged gifts, white elephant-style, with a bunch of friends. My husband picked a beautiful book which he was very happy to get. Until he realized that it was recycled. How was he so sure? Some passages had already been highlighted!
MYRZA SISON, editor in chief, Marie Claire: I once received personalized key chains and a wallet with someone else’s name! A few of my friends have had their share of the re-gift experience: A photographer friend received the same gift he gave out to clients that year, and within just a few days, too – a blank scrapbook with his company’s logo stamped on it. An officemate decided to recycle a foe’s gift without unwrapping it – turns out they were personalized note cards with her name on them! My newly married friends received an oil-and-balsamic vinegar set – with the tray all tarnished, one bottle missing but with the cap still there, and one lid missing! Worse, the box it came in was quite dilapidated and had an encircled number scribbled in the front with black marker – as if it were meant to be a raffle prize!
RUBY GAN, entrepreneur: It was a crystal ashtray. It was beautiful! But I don’t smoke!
CHOC RELIGIOSO, fashion designer: Two years ago, I received a planner with the person’s name on it. She didn’t even open it and check.
ZSAZSA PADILLA, actress: I received a basket of fruits that came with a card. The card was addressed to another person and it said, "Get well soon." It was not for Christmas, just a thoughtful gesture from the giver… or so I thought. When I told the person who gave me the fruit basket that I found the card attached, he said the person he was supposed to give it to had checked out of the hospital!
RONALD CONSTANTINO, Tempo columnist: It was a perfume. When I opened it, the card had a dedication inside the box addressed to another person. Siyempre, I didn’t say anything to the person who gave it to me. I just kept quiet because gusto ko naman yung perfume na ’yon.