"No. Really. I don't want anything for Christmas."

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Joined: 14 Oct 2008
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22 Dec 2008, 5:11 pm

I just did a re-gift exchange where everyone picked the best gift they've received that they had no interest in (such as someone got a bunch of Starbucks coffee beans, but she didn't have a coffee grinder) and we did a "White Elephant" type deal where you draw #s and you randomly select gifts and you can steal from others. It actually made some sense instead of a normal "White Elephant" where people wrap up stuff they should really just throw away.

Spokane_Girl

22 Dec 2008, 5:20 pm

Here is an idea for gifts:

Give them gift cards or money.

That makes things a lot easier for gifts. Now you don't have to worry about someone not liking your gift or being disappointed. Now they can buy whatever they want with the the card or money.

MOA
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker

Joined: 29 Nov 2008
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22 Dec 2008, 5:46 pm

Callista wrote:

Well, I just got a package from my grandma... she sent me size 18 clothing. Getting warmer, but still two sizes to go! Naturally it was all polyester and acrylic. Sigh. I will of course send the requisite thank-you note and letter...

I do like her, really I do. But she'd probably feel bad if she couldn't buy things for me. Maybe I'll do one of those little cross stitch kits for her... something cutesy.

You're probably right--she probably buys things for you as her way of expressing love to you. Some people are givers of gifts, some make things for others, some do things for others, etc. And whatever you do for her she will love it forever.

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22 Dec 2008, 11:21 pm

I like giving presents but I don't care about receiving them, though it is nice when people do give me gifts.
I guess it is the lack of friends that makes me have a sort of apathetic view towards Christmas. My Grandma was the first person to give me a Christmas card.
I love to buy gifts and really work hard in finding the perfect gift for people.

CockneyRebel
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23 Dec 2008, 12:29 am

I don;t think I have any room in my apartment for a lot of gifts. I'd be happy with gift certificates.

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ecky
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23 Dec 2008, 2:23 am

There are quite a number of objects I want very, very much [a Bernina sewing machine, a Blend-Tec blended to blend iPods and marbles with, a new bow for my violin, a cantilever chair, a laptop, very nice clothes, Ariel by Sylvia Plath, a recording of The Four Seasons by Vivaldi, books on economics, a world map, etc. etc.], but they are all extremely specific, and I don't expect or trust many people to choose for me. I don't expect to like most of the presents I'll get, and would rather get money or nothing than things I don't adore.

I did receive The Selfish Gene today, and am thrilled to own it and about the prospect of reading it.

Xelebes
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23 Dec 2008, 3:17 am

People get me socks. It's great because I don't have to buy socks through out the year. And it really helps during the winter! (Double-socking and the sort.)

DeLoreanDude
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23 Dec 2008, 5:14 am

1) Take the clothes or whatever
2) Sell them on eBay
3) PROFIT!

Kara_h
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23 Dec 2008, 1:30 pm

Spokane_Girl wrote:

Yes. I do tend to take things literal so if someone told me to not worry about them, I don't worry about them.

Same here. It gets frustrating though when you agree with your sister not to get anything for each other, then your brother tells you what to get for his kids (because I try to treat his kids and her kids equally).

Kara_h
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23 Dec 2008, 1:36 pm

Callista wrote:

The whole gift-giving thing is a zero-sum game, anyway, even if it's done perfectly. If it's not perfect, then both participants lose. Surely you aren't trying to buy somebody's love. What's the point of doing it?

Right, and the way it is done now people just exchange urls to whatever they want you to buy them. I pointed out to my partner that people should just save the hassle and buy whatever they want for themselves ... it all equals out anyways and people get exactly what they want when they want it.

Kara_h
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23 Dec 2008, 1:49 pm

Spokane_Girl wrote:

Give them gift cards or money.

Better to do the latter as the former expires. If your cash expires your economy has much bigger problems!

*sigh* Some people think it is crass to give money rather than some useless thing it bought though.

CRACK
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23 Dec 2008, 1:50 pm

I don't buy gifts for anyone for Christmas. Ever. People still buy me stuff, but I get a lot less items for christmas than I did in the past, and its mostly gift cards. Works for me.

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