tabular_rasa (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
tabular_rasa) wrote2009-11-27 06:37 pm
tabular_rasa) wrote2009-11-27 06:37 pm
Entry tags:
Writer's Block: Let the shopping begin!
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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!
no subject
Oftentimes there are things like secret-santa and random-gift-parties that make the whole deal easier on the college student short on time and money, but despite all the difficulty involved in buying presents I do like giving them, so I usually end up doing so anyway.
And oh man! I don't get the people who are picky and mean about their gifts! It's a gift, be nice, come on! Luckily I don't know many people like that, or people who get me bad gifts, lol. My friend has an aunt who gets him gifts years and years too late (like she got him a YuGiOh lunchbox... this year... >_<), and he usually just thanks her and has a good laugh (privately) about it.
no subject
I do worry that people will be rude or dislike me for the gift. I think that's more because I know two people who can be rude or complain about their gifts. A friend of mine will be extremely rude about her gifts and I know she's made at least two friends feel pretty bad about the gifts they got her. She doesn't mean to be rude or ungrateful but she forgets that sometimes it really is the thought that counts. Then there's my sister-in-law who wants her gifts wrapped in fancy paper and it must be the gift she wanted from so-and-so at this or that occasion. One Christmas she asked for a specific book from my Dad and my brother had already gotten it for her so Dad had to get her something else. When she opened Dad's present and it wasn't the book shed asked for she sat there in a grumpy mood for the entire rest of the evening. Never mind that she got the book later on.
I do not understand a lack of gratitude over gifts. People buy you things to show they care or thought of you. I'm always grateful for whatever I get because I know that at least somewhere along the line, they've seen it and thought of me.