Hopefully, if nothing else, this blog has been some small source of amusement for you (whoever you are reading this page). Maybe I've unknowingly shaken you by the shoulders with my harsh words that told you that the gift you selected was simply bad. And maybe I've made you roll your eyes at my posts, disbelieving their truth (you best start believin' cuz they're true!)
But I really hope that I've made you reconsider items that you give as gifts because the silent message that is sent hand-in-hand with your gift is just as important because it is a reflection of you and your feelings about the person you're giving the gift to. I refuse to tell you what to get because that is all up to you. Just remember to put yourself in the receiver's shoes and think about whether you would want that *cough* whatever you're holding in your hands contemplating buying.
There are some items that should just never be given as gifts (OK, maybe unless it is a joke). But this is not a joke: in all seriousness 95% of people do not want these gifts! Yeah, I just made that up but I'm sure it's pretty close.
So take this newfound knowledge, fellow gift-givers, on what not to give as a gift and put it to good use!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The Queen of the Re-Gift
A couple months ago I had a scheduled dentist visit. My usual hygienist is very touchy-feely and loves talking about things going on in her life. Since it was shortly after Christmas, she had a story for me about some gifts she and her family received from her wealthy, elderly aunt.
She had received [another] long nightgown. Not only was it cheap material but it was clearly "old lady print" (you know what I'm talking about... little flower buds, pale colors). Something she clearly did not like and so, gave away.
While this wasn't so much of a strange re-gifting, my hygienist's pre-teen son got something much more interesting.
He received a package of Icy Hot packs. OK, this is a pretty strange gift for a young kid, is it not? Unless he is an athlete who had an injury (which he was not). But it wasn't just a regular package. It was an opened package and one of the thermal care wraps was missing.
If you're going to re-gift something that you don't like, make an attempt to put some thought into what it is you are re-gifting and who you are giving it to. Don't you want it to at least seem like you're being thoughtful and genuine?
She had received [another] long nightgown. Not only was it cheap material but it was clearly "old lady print" (you know what I'm talking about... little flower buds, pale colors). Something she clearly did not like and so, gave away.
While this wasn't so much of a strange re-gifting, my hygienist's pre-teen son got something much more interesting.
He received a package of Icy Hot packs. OK, this is a pretty strange gift for a young kid, is it not? Unless he is an athlete who had an injury (which he was not). But it wasn't just a regular package. It was an opened package and one of the thermal care wraps was missing.
If you're going to re-gift something that you don't like, make an attempt to put some thought into what it is you are re-gifting and who you are giving it to. Don't you want it to at least seem like you're being thoughtful and genuine?
Thursday, April 8, 2010
The Ugly Sweater
Despite the "Ugly Sweater" parties that have recently become a hit at colleges, let's not kid ourselves and say we enjoyed getting these sweaters when we were younger. An ugly sweater is just ugly in ever way, there's no getting around it. It might be the hideous arrangement and mixture of colors, or the chaotic designs that fill every inch of the scratchy fabric. It might be the shape of it... lumpy or awkward. Or, it might just be the tacky holiday pictures and fabric cut-outs that catch your attention immediately from 50 feet away.
Maybe these are cute when you're giving it to a 1-year-old but seriously, think about your own primitive years and please, please talk yourself out buying it for anyone. Even though exists, this does not mean you should be buying them.
Maybe these are cute when you're giving it to a 1-year-old but seriously, think about your own primitive years and please, please talk yourself out buying it for anyone. Even though exists, this does not mean you should be buying them.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
The Giftcard
So, giftcards can be OK in some circumstances... despite the fact that they shout, "I don't know you well enough to pick out a present for you," or perhaps, "I didn't feel like taking the time or energy to find something meaningful so I'm giving you money but you have to use it here."
Yes, a giftcard allows you to go ahead and choose your own gift. It also eliminates a potential return or exchange. But what about the excitement of tearing open paper to reveal something substantial? That's gone right out the window!
In essence, giftcards are "the easy way out" because they allow the gift giver to:
1. Make it look like they put thought into it by driving to a store to turn their green bills into a little plastic card of equal value.
2. Avoid browsing through stores.
3. Get something quick and simple.
Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Buying a gift for someone should be an enjoyable and thoughtful experience... duh!
And if it's a small amount, doesn't it irk you to know how much money seemed reasonable to the giver? A giftcard of $10 buys you absolutely nothing. Yes, it's a gift... but what could I possibly buy with a lousy $10 in today's economy?!
If you insist on giving monetary gifts... just stick with the cash ("Give me the money!"). Then, you can avoid the effort of getting the giftcard in the first place and allow the recipient to buy something of their choice anywhere they want (not like the restriction of a giftcard) or even put the money in the bank (Gasp, who would've thought?).
Yes, a giftcard allows you to go ahead and choose your own gift. It also eliminates a potential return or exchange. But what about the excitement of tearing open paper to reveal something substantial? That's gone right out the window!
In essence, giftcards are "the easy way out" because they allow the gift giver to:
1. Make it look like they put thought into it by driving to a store to turn their green bills into a little plastic card of equal value.
2. Avoid browsing through stores.
3. Get something quick and simple.
Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Buying a gift for someone should be an enjoyable and thoughtful experience... duh!
And if it's a small amount, doesn't it irk you to know how much money seemed reasonable to the giver? A giftcard of $10 buys you absolutely nothing. Yes, it's a gift... but what could I possibly buy with a lousy $10 in today's economy?!
If you insist on giving monetary gifts... just stick with the cash ("Give me the money!"). Then, you can avoid the effort of getting the giftcard in the first place and allow the recipient to buy something of their choice anywhere they want (not like the restriction of a giftcard) or even put the money in the bank (Gasp, who would've thought?).
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
5 Rules of Gift Giving: Who You Should Give Gifts to
1. Parents
They gave birth to you! It's as simple as that. Therefore, no matter what, they deserve to get some appreciation.
2. Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles
We all have that aunt of grandma who spoils you rotten with anything your little heart desires and so much more. Shouldn't they get something cute-sy and heartfelt in return?
3. Siblings and Cousins
Just because you may fight with them, go through phases of wanting nothing to do with eachother or simply have some awkward interactions, doesn't mean you shouldn't give them gifts. Most likely they're the closest family members in age, so shouldn't you have a general idea of what your peers like?
4. Friends and Roommates
This is a no-brainer. If you are friends with someone, you exchange gifts! Forgetting a friend at Christmas-time or at his or her birthday leaves tension in the air with a hint of "maybe we really aren't that close..."
5. Teachers, Co-workers, Bosses
People you look up to, admire or work under should know how you feel! (Or maybe in the case of a boss... they shouldn't) So get them something that says, "You are great!" or something like it.
They gave birth to you! It's as simple as that. Therefore, no matter what, they deserve to get some appreciation.
2. Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles
We all have that aunt of grandma who spoils you rotten with anything your little heart desires and so much more. Shouldn't they get something cute-sy and heartfelt in return?
3. Siblings and Cousins
Just because you may fight with them, go through phases of wanting nothing to do with eachother or simply have some awkward interactions, doesn't mean you shouldn't give them gifts. Most likely they're the closest family members in age, so shouldn't you have a general idea of what your peers like?
4. Friends and Roommates
This is a no-brainer. If you are friends with someone, you exchange gifts! Forgetting a friend at Christmas-time or at his or her birthday leaves tension in the air with a hint of "maybe we really aren't that close..."
5. Teachers, Co-workers, Bosses
People you look up to, admire or work under should know how you feel! (Or maybe in the case of a boss... they shouldn't) So get them something that says, "You are great!" or something like it.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
The Gift That's Two Sizes Too Small
Nothing is more discouraging than receiving a shirt or sweatshirt (or any item of clothing for that matter) that doesn't fit you. Maybe it's that aunt who lives across the country and has a little trouble keeping up with how fast you're growing... so she buys you clothes you probably would've worn two years ago. Maybe it's the penny-pincher of the family, buying you T-shirts that "you'll grow into."
Either way, undersized or oversized outfits are only cool if you intend them to be cool... but these gifts pretty much always are not. Is it really that hard to call someone up and ask them how tall their child is? Or maybe look at some recent pictures?
Clothes that are the perfect color or have a neat design somehow manage not to score the perfect score when they could fit someone half your size.
Either way, undersized or oversized outfits are only cool if you intend them to be cool... but these gifts pretty much always are not. Is it really that hard to call someone up and ask them how tall their child is? Or maybe look at some recent pictures?
Clothes that are the perfect color or have a neat design somehow manage not to score the perfect score when they could fit someone half your size.
Monday, March 8, 2010
The Gift in Disguise
We are all familiar with the gifts that are given not only for the benefit of the recipient: the husband who buys a large screen television for his wife, the girlfriend who bakes a cake for her boyfriend for Valentine's Day.
But I'm sure that you've never heard of a mother giving this to her ten year old son for his birthday:
A blender and a hairdryer.
"What?!" That's the first thing that went through my mind when I heard this as I let out a little laugh. This is the most extreme "gift in disguise" that I have heard about. Clearly, no little boy is going to have any use for these unless he is a budding chef with long hair. Needless to say, this gift was barely disguised!
Unless it is a gift that is made to be mutually used and enjoyed, such as that big TV or yummy chocolate cake, these gifts aren't really gifts. They also completely go against the idea of giving as a means of giving of one's self and feeling happy by pleasing others. Buying things for yourself isn't bad, but when you need to use the cover of a gift for someone else, it's pretty heartless.
But I'm sure that you've never heard of a mother giving this to her ten year old son for his birthday:
A blender and a hairdryer.
"What?!" That's the first thing that went through my mind when I heard this as I let out a little laugh. This is the most extreme "gift in disguise" that I have heard about. Clearly, no little boy is going to have any use for these unless he is a budding chef with long hair. Needless to say, this gift was barely disguised!
Unless it is a gift that is made to be mutually used and enjoyed, such as that big TV or yummy chocolate cake, these gifts aren't really gifts. They also completely go against the idea of giving as a means of giving of one's self and feeling happy by pleasing others. Buying things for yourself isn't bad, but when you need to use the cover of a gift for someone else, it's pretty heartless.
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