I have no particular reason to be an expert on gift-giving, but here are some thoughts:
1. Gifts are not a social contract. There is no rule that says that a person who recieves a gift owes something in return. Nor is there a rule stating that you must match prices.
2. Don't use a wish list. If someone gives you a wish list, buy something that is not on the list. Gifts are supposed to be surprising.
3. It helps to be creative. Whether it's in a card or the gift itself, creativity goes a long way.
4. Only give food if it's home-made. Nobody needs another huge tin of stale flavored pop corn. The one exception is super-fancy candy like Ferraro Rocher or Almond Roca.
5. Avoid gifts that shouldn't be gifts. For example, socks and underwear are a necessity - unless it's sexy underwear and lingerie, in which case it's usually a gift to the person sending it (making it an awkward gift to open in front of relatives.) Actually, I would avoid anything too private. Nobody wants to see grandma open up a bra like last year. (True story)
Saturday, December 22, 2007
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The views of this blog are those of the author only . . . and a few people crazy enough to agree with him. They do not in any way represent those of the Cartwright School District or its staff. If you find something offensive, please e-mail me at socialvoice@gmail.com and we'll engage in a respectful dialogue.
4 comments:
john
You right gifts are not a social contract.
But I expect something from you anyways. Something expensive or cash works too. I'll be checking my mail every day.
I have very similar thoughts about gifts. The difficult part is when family and friends think differently about gift giving. It's not easy being the odd one out. However, I have found that many people want to give better gifts they just don't how (and I am usually one of them). Gifts are so much better if they are a surprise. Something that makes gift giving difficult is relationship. It's not easy to choose a meaningful gift for a person you do not know. And often the people we have relationships with we don't know all that well anyways. Gift giving is a relational concept.
I wish more people knew these tips.... maybe grandma would stop sending huge tins of flavorless pretzels. (I guess she forgot that half of the family was recently diagnosed with a wheat allergy).
Maybe you should publish these somewhere... or anonymously send them to grandma??
Invest in nice gift wrap. You do not need to buy the most expensive wrapping paper, but you should invest in something so the recipient knows you did not just haphazardly pick up the gift the day you gave it to them.
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