We're closing in on when I will officially start to think about Christmas and "the holiday season" in general - I know most retailers have wanted me to start on this a couple months back, but I got my own timetable, friends.
Usually right about now is when I start having fantasies that this is the year I won't do the usual CD/DVD/book/trinkets kind of gift-giving, and come up with some new and exciting and personal and creative and useful (and cheap) ideas instead. And then in about two weeks I'll finally abandon that and run around cobbling together books, CDs, DVDs, etc.
Maybe it'll happen again, but a guy's gotta try. It seems so achingly simple - what's something that a person would like to receive, would actually use, and would appreciate? Most typical "creative" gifts ("Look, I drew a picture of you on a pillowcase! I made you these candleholders out of old water bottles!!") seem personal enough, sure, but how long before they are set aside and mostly forgotten? One needs only so many picture frames, after all. Truly practical gifts ("Hey wow, a flashlight...") may be thoughtful, but seem so dull. Hmmm...
I suppose this is my weak reaction to the ultra-consumerist frenzy this time of year always provokes, probably due more to my inability to actively participate than anything; I mean, if I could buy everyone new hybrid cars, blam, problem solved. I don't mind shopping, in fact, but I normally end up buying stuff that I want for myself and desperately project that desire outward.
So yeah, consider this a cry for help - anyone out there have this gift thing down? Then reach down to us indecisive types. It's the season for giving. To me.
2 comments:
I try to match the gift with the hobbies. Golfers could always use more golf balls. Surprise them with the expensive brand. Magazine subscriptions are always good because we all love magazines but don't want to spend the money on all of them. Or you could go with the rule of the disappearing gift: Food or candles or bath products.
I'm with you, Greg -- every year I think I'm going to see the perfect answer and apply it to every gift-giving dilemma. It never happens. And this year is no exception.
I'm trying to remember, this year, though, that the things that look so pedestrian in the online gift guides are precisely the things I'd enjoy getting: nice gloves, hats, scarves; bath products; little luxuries like perfume and jewelry; comforting items like pajamas; a thoughtful book; a nice picture frame.
And thanks for the links -- I'm going to send that scone basket to a couple of people on my list.
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