I'm sure many of us are feverishly buying Christmas presents for others (and ourselves), and it has dawned on me that this whole holiday season has become little more than a shopfest to the majority of people. With that comes obligations and hassles. Contrary to some of my earlier Quick Quotes, I actually like buying presents for people... when I know what they want. But some people are difficult to shop for. Some people have few interests that you can key on to know what they like. Others have everything and there's little left to buy them. Then there's always the option of buying gift cards, but that's akin to giving cash with restrictions. Cash is a simple last resort that says, "I wanted to give you something, but I didn't have the time to think about what you might like and actually buy it."
Thank God for on-line purchases as they prevent one from having to deal with scarce parking, crowds, lines. The best part of this is that many stores will wrap presents for you and ship it to the door of the person you are giving the gift to. You don't have to even touch it! It's kind of amazing when you think about it.
I know this post has become a rambling of my issues with Christmas gift-giving, but as my family has grown with nephews and nieces, (what I like to call nephieces), life has just gotten more complicated. Then, since we're not Christian, we're never sure which adults are buying presents for which other adults. And for the kids, I either buy what they don't want or what they already have so I have to work with their parents to buy them something worthwhile.
OK, it's time to write Christmas cards.
+ Atul
I like buying things for someone when I see the perfect gift for them - which might happen at any time of the year. (Or might not happen at all.) I hate trying to find the perfect gift for everyone all at once. I think the pressure of having to buy a gift makes it hard to find the perfect gift.
Posted by: Stormy | December 26, 2006 at 05:41 PM