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Small
Stuffed Animals, Socks, Underwear, Smelly Bath Products, and Candles Given the current holiday madness, I figured I’d write a seasonal journal entry. I hate gifts as such. I know that soon my friends will be running around buying gifts, giving gifts, and getting gifts. I also know that I will be included in this silly game, and I resent that. I was talking to a friend the other day about “Christmas gifts” (inclusive of all winter holidays, and even gifts for atheists, what a world). He stated that in exchange with his friends, he usually received and gave books, and that he usually found something appropriate for every person on his gift list. I was jealous. Amongst my friends, the standard is small stuffed animals, socks, underwear, smelly bath products, and candles. Personally I could do without the small stuffed animals, smelly bath products, and candles, and I’d rather shop for my own socks, and underwear. The small stuffed animals are the worst offense. I’ll use anything else I’m given, but small stuffed animals get thrown on top of my dresser and forgotten until dusting time, and then promptly forgotten again. It’s just a waste of money. The max spent on gifts is usually around $7, and the minimum is $3 or so. There’s not much room in that price range for anything other than small stuffed animals, socks, underwear, smelly bath products, and candles. Usually something appropriate is found for the receiver (she likes monkeys, here’s some cute monkey socks she’ll love), but nothing particularly meaningful. (This is not to say that I haven’t given or received a great present; but that it’s rare.) Often people will buy 15 or so of one type of item, and then give them out arbitrarily. This is fourteen times as insulting as getting a small stuffed animal. To me, the purpose of a gift is to give someone something they normally wouldn’t have, something they may not be able to buy, something they wouldn’t buy for themselves, but still want, etc. The motivation should be the opportunity to do this, not the social necessity for an occasion. For example: if Judy sees a really nice pair of boots and buys them for a friend who has worn out her boots so that her toes show through, but refuses to buy another pair, that is a good gift. On the other hand, if Judy knows her friend’s birthday is coming up, and so goes to the store searching for a present, and buys the boots, the present is no longer nearly as valuable. I hate birthdays and “Christmas time” (inclusive), for this reason: I have to buy or make presents and receive them; I don’t want to, but I have to. I have no problem with spending time or money on gifts for my friends, when I am motivated to do so because I know it is something they will enjoy. However, I have no desire to give another pair of socks or underwear, or candle, or small stuffed animal, or smelly bath product; and I know for sure I don’t want any as gifts. top – discuss – essays
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All original material © 2003 Erika Salomon.
