Writer's Block: Let the shopping begin!
Nov. 27th, 2009 06:37 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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I definitely don't have my bearings on the best way to shop for Christmas gifts. I don't really make a plan or have a consistent way I do it each year. Usually each year there are a couple people I have a million ideas for, and many people for whom I have none. Obviously, the former is easier to buy gifts for than the latter, and I get the formers' gifts early on in or even before *the season* (buying sometime in August or September and saving it, etc). However, I have honestly given people I am clueless on a raincheck until I come up with an idea. It's pretty bad.
Part of the problem is I make things on hard on myself by wanting to get really meaningful gifts. So many people don't have explicit Christmas lists (myself often included), so I have to come up with ideas myself, and I want them to be memorable. I don't just think "Oh, this is cool/useful, I'll get it." I want it to speak to our relationship (an inside joke, a connection to some activity we both love, etc) or demonstrate some awareness of their needs that only I would have picked up on or something. The irony is that of course I can't always find (or even think of!) that amazing special thing, so I feel like more often than not I end up waiting until the last minute and just settling on something-- or rainchecking! I go in with such grand, high hopes for what I'll get, and end up giving the crappiest gifts.
The stupid thing is, though for some reason I seem convinced people will hate me or something if I don't find a mind-blowing gift, I can't recall of a single time I haven't appreciated a gift on some level. On my 6th birthday someone gave me a Barbie doll I already had and instead of shrieking "I already HAVE this!" and throwing it like so many brats whose parties I attended, I was excited because I now had twin sisters. And when during the hard-to-shop-for preteen years I was given body glitter, nail polish, stick-on earrings, and other pre-makeup items that clearly demonstrated a lack of knowledge of or regard for my real interests, I was never particularly offended and took it in stride as means to learn what other girls did so if I ever became interested, I'd be familiar enough with it all. I know there are some gift ingrates in this world, but I think most people really do appreciate a gift as a gift, even if it doesn't fit the person like a glove and demonstrate my deep connection to and appreciation for their tastes. So I suppose I should stop stressing so much.
I'm actually pretty excited about Christmas shopping in Japan this year, though. I'll have access to a totally unique market. That said, since most of the people I'm buying for live thousands of miles away, even though I'm returning home to see some of them I can't have massive, extensive gifts. There's a weight limit to what I can carry and a weight and price limit as to what I can send via airmail. Ahh well. Maybe the year I go home I'll send a bunch of cool stuff via seamail when I leave, and it'll arrive just in time for me to hand it out that Christmas.
Also, one last thing: I've noticed my sister has always been the easiest person to shop for. I think it's because we have so many experiences in common (and therefore a lot of inside jokes), and I know pretty much everything she owns which helps me discern her tastes and prevent me from getting her something she already has. So, yea Tory, for diminishing my holiday stress!
I definitely don't have my bearings on the best way to shop for Christmas gifts. I don't really make a plan or have a consistent way I do it each year. Usually each year there are a couple people I have a million ideas for, and many people for whom I have none. Obviously, the former is easier to buy gifts for than the latter, and I get the formers' gifts early on in or even before *the season* (buying sometime in August or September and saving it, etc). However, I have honestly given people I am clueless on a raincheck until I come up with an idea. It's pretty bad.
Part of the problem is I make things on hard on myself by wanting to get really meaningful gifts. So many people don't have explicit Christmas lists (myself often included), so I have to come up with ideas myself, and I want them to be memorable. I don't just think "Oh, this is cool/useful, I'll get it." I want it to speak to our relationship (an inside joke, a connection to some activity we both love, etc) or demonstrate some awareness of their needs that only I would have picked up on or something. The irony is that of course I can't always find (or even think of!) that amazing special thing, so I feel like more often than not I end up waiting until the last minute and just settling on something-- or rainchecking! I go in with such grand, high hopes for what I'll get, and end up giving the crappiest gifts.
The stupid thing is, though for some reason I seem convinced people will hate me or something if I don't find a mind-blowing gift, I can't recall of a single time I haven't appreciated a gift on some level. On my 6th birthday someone gave me a Barbie doll I already had and instead of shrieking "I already HAVE this!" and throwing it like so many brats whose parties I attended, I was excited because I now had twin sisters. And when during the hard-to-shop-for preteen years I was given body glitter, nail polish, stick-on earrings, and other pre-makeup items that clearly demonstrated a lack of knowledge of or regard for my real interests, I was never particularly offended and took it in stride as means to learn what other girls did so if I ever became interested, I'd be familiar enough with it all. I know there are some gift ingrates in this world, but I think most people really do appreciate a gift as a gift, even if it doesn't fit the person like a glove and demonstrate my deep connection to and appreciation for their tastes. So I suppose I should stop stressing so much.
I'm actually pretty excited about Christmas shopping in Japan this year, though. I'll have access to a totally unique market. That said, since most of the people I'm buying for live thousands of miles away, even though I'm returning home to see some of them I can't have massive, extensive gifts. There's a weight limit to what I can carry and a weight and price limit as to what I can send via airmail. Ahh well. Maybe the year I go home I'll send a bunch of cool stuff via seamail when I leave, and it'll arrive just in time for me to hand it out that Christmas.
Also, one last thing: I've noticed my sister has always been the easiest person to shop for. I think it's because we have so many experiences in common (and therefore a lot of inside jokes), and I know pretty much everything she owns which helps me discern her tastes and prevent me from getting her something she already has. So, yea Tory, for diminishing my holiday stress!
