Some people are born to gift. You know who I’m talking about. They buy multiple items, all perfectly suited to your taste. They thoughtfully place them in a beautiful bag with fancy ribbon. When they hand it to you, they’re flush with excitement at the anticipation of the reveal.
I am the antithesis of a gifter.
I am clumsy at selecting a present that will be exactly what the recipient wanted. I will read disappointment and perplexity in the expression of the receiver. I will feel a little bit embarrassed and lacking when the event is over. For this reason, I do not like holidays where gifts are anticipated. Too much stress and disappointment for me.
I am also not good at receiving gifts. I attempt to act excitedly when I open a present, but, secretly I’m plotting how I will return the item at the soonest possible opportunity. This makes me feel sneaky and unappreciative. My gift attitude has been revealed of late and now my family watches me more closely.
It seems to me that there are fewer and fewer talented gifters in our world today. An indicator is the absurd number of gift cards that are exchanged. How empty, it seems to me, that I give you a $25 gift card to Home Depot and you give me a $25 gift card to Macy’s. What is the point?
And lists. This also seems rather silly to me. Your child makes out his list of wants. As parents, we dutifully go out and obtain said items. We wrap them and give them to the child. Everyone is happy. Again, this seems a bit empty to me. I do the same with grocery shopping – just more frequently.
I don’t have an answer to this dilemma of mine. A gift-truce would never be accepted in my family. Alas, I will continue on this path until such time as a realistic solution presents itself.
I am the antithesis of a gifter.
I am clumsy at selecting a present that will be exactly what the recipient wanted. I will read disappointment and perplexity in the expression of the receiver. I will feel a little bit embarrassed and lacking when the event is over. For this reason, I do not like holidays where gifts are anticipated. Too much stress and disappointment for me.
I am also not good at receiving gifts. I attempt to act excitedly when I open a present, but, secretly I’m plotting how I will return the item at the soonest possible opportunity. This makes me feel sneaky and unappreciative. My gift attitude has been revealed of late and now my family watches me more closely.
It seems to me that there are fewer and fewer talented gifters in our world today. An indicator is the absurd number of gift cards that are exchanged. How empty, it seems to me, that I give you a $25 gift card to Home Depot and you give me a $25 gift card to Macy’s. What is the point?
And lists. This also seems rather silly to me. Your child makes out his list of wants. As parents, we dutifully go out and obtain said items. We wrap them and give them to the child. Everyone is happy. Again, this seems a bit empty to me. I do the same with grocery shopping – just more frequently.
I don’t have an answer to this dilemma of mine. A gift-truce would never be accepted in my family. Alas, I will continue on this path until such time as a realistic solution presents itself.
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