I simply don’t buy presents. As Sheldon Cooper put it:
“The entire institution of gift giving makes no sense. Let’s say that I go out, and I spend 50 dollars on you, it’s a laborious activity, because I have to imagine what you need, where as you know what you need. Now I could simplify things, just give you the 50 dollars directly, and you could give me 50 dollars on my birthday, and so on, until one of us dies, leaving the other one old and 50 dollars richer. And I ask, is it worth it?”
Sheldon Cooper is an individual fueled by 90% extrapolated logic and 10% self-indulgence, as well as an introvert that makes Neku Sakuraba look like the lover of all mankind. For individuals who allow their emotions to flow honestly, gift-giving is a meaningful way to establish memories with other individuals important to you.
And if you are of the sort who has to imagine what someone needs, as opposed to being able to inquire a wishlist, then there is absolutely nothing wrong with giving the 50 dollars* directly, and yes, it is worth it.
*gift-giving budget may vary by individual and occasion
Wait, what? Do Google Play gift cards really exist? If they did (and were available where I live…), they’d be great – I have a few e-books and albums from Google Play I’d like to get and would suggest as as gift ideas, but I see no reasonable way of Google Play gifting (I don’t consider temporarily registering someone else’s debit card a reasonable solution).
Google Play (and iTunes) gift cards are a perfectly acceptable gift for various co-workers, acquaintances, and my autistic son who could care less about the thought behind the gift as long as it is something that pleases him. (disclaimer: I love my son dearly and he is getting much better, but this is one of those societal norms he has difficulties with).
Bit of fun with that societal norm – withing resorting to arguments like “feelings” or “it is a norm” or “it is expected” try to really explain it, no really.
I tried that years ago – came up with that there is no good non-egotistical reason for it _except_ if it is something that the reciever will derive use or pleasure from.
So yeah – the thought counts as long as you didn’t think about the concept itself 🙂
(Personally I like giving gifts but I abhor (do we have a stronger word? I need it) recieving them – luckily my relatives are similar in this regard so about a decade ago we set a 50sek (~5usd) max limit on gifts and instead focused on bringing food to the christmas lunch/dinner, all around we find this to be a lot more pleasant and relaxing)
I am on the autistic spectrum as well and fully agree with your son. In fact, I feel most people simply give gifts to make themselves feel better due to it being an established social norm. (Why are the only times most people give gifts to people at Christmas and on their birthday? Why not any other time of year?)
Hey guys! Net Neutrality is Dead! Or rather, it’s been shot, and Ajit Paj is desperately trying to keep anyone from patching the wound before it bleeds out.
That’s OK, just play the ‘I have a newborn in the house’ card 🙂
Shame on you, Adam! I have my Christmas shopping done by the time December BEGINS.
I simply don’t buy presents. As Sheldon Cooper put it:
“The entire institution of gift giving makes no sense. Let’s say that I go out, and I spend 50 dollars on you, it’s a laborious activity, because I have to imagine what you need, where as you know what you need. Now I could simplify things, just give you the 50 dollars directly, and you could give me 50 dollars on my birthday, and so on, until one of us dies, leaving the other one old and 50 dollars richer. And I ask, is it worth it?”
Sheldon Cooper is an individual fueled by 90% extrapolated logic and 10% self-indulgence, as well as an introvert that makes Neku Sakuraba look like the lover of all mankind. For individuals who allow their emotions to flow honestly, gift-giving is a meaningful way to establish memories with other individuals important to you.
And if you are of the sort who has to imagine what someone needs, as opposed to being able to inquire a wishlist, then there is absolutely nothing wrong with giving the 50 dollars* directly, and yes, it is worth it.
*gift-giving budget may vary by individual and occasion
It’s worth it for the person who ends up with $50 in the end.
You could speed up the process by simply killing the other person right after you received your $50.
Is $50 really worth committing murder over?
Other then your wife who do you have to buy gifts for? Your kid is too young to appreciate anything you do, so, seems like an easy time.
“It’s a non-optional social convention.” 😛
I love how Bug walks into Walgreens like he’s John Travolta in “Stayin’ Alive”.
…Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk…
…I need Poligrip, no time to talk…
Actually I’m mainly doing my present shopping mail order this year. No crowds, no fighting for a parking spot. People get what they want.
Wait, what? Do Google Play gift cards really exist? If they did (and were available where I live…), they’d be great – I have a few e-books and albums from Google Play I’d like to get and would suggest as as gift ideas, but I see no reasonable way of Google Play gifting (I don’t consider temporarily registering someone else’s debit card a reasonable solution).
The era of downloadable items is the bane of gift-givers everywhere. And yes, Google Play gift cards really exist.
Thanks, I’ve checked it out; unfortunately, they’re not available here (Hungary).
Google Play (and iTunes) gift cards are a perfectly acceptable gift for various co-workers, acquaintances, and my autistic son who could care less about the thought behind the gift as long as it is something that pleases him. (disclaimer: I love my son dearly and he is getting much better, but this is one of those societal norms he has difficulties with).
Bit of fun with that societal norm – withing resorting to arguments like “feelings” or “it is a norm” or “it is expected” try to really explain it, no really.
I tried that years ago – came up with that there is no good non-egotistical reason for it _except_ if it is something that the reciever will derive use or pleasure from.
So yeah – the thought counts as long as you didn’t think about the concept itself 🙂
(Personally I like giving gifts but I abhor (do we have a stronger word? I need it) recieving them – luckily my relatives are similar in this regard so about a decade ago we set a 50sek (~5usd) max limit on gifts and instead focused on bringing food to the christmas lunch/dinner, all around we find this to be a lot more pleasant and relaxing)
I am on the autistic spectrum as well and fully agree with your son. In fact, I feel most people simply give gifts to make themselves feel better due to it being an established social norm. (Why are the only times most people give gifts to people at Christmas and on their birthday? Why not any other time of year?)
without* resorting (I really should stop reading other things while typing)
Hey guys! Net Neutrality is Dead! Or rather, it’s been shot, and Ajit Paj is desperately trying to keep anyone from patching the wound before it bleeds out.
Well, then let it bleed out and see whether it comes back as a zombie.
Then they’ll have to kill it again.