Un-popular post time~!

[rubyredrose]

Hope I don't offend too many people with this (okay, maybe a few, but you know I still love ya!) but this is the best time of year, I think, for this particular rant since it's far enough away from anyone's actual bday that I'm not targeting them, and it's juuussst begining the hallowgivingsmas season. Namely, my take on gift giving.

Now don't get me wrong. I like getting stuff as much as the next person. But I hate, HATEhateHATEhateHATEhateHATEhateHATE xmas, or whatever you call the generic winter holy day that has introduced the following disease into our culture. Namely, that you are OBLIGATED to get stuff (aka spend money) at a certain time, and give it to someone (aka people I see once a year at this time and neither know nor care about) in celebration of...what? In celebration of capitalism, as far as I can tell. Birthdays earn my ire for similar reasons (Probably because I've had a few too many xmas+bday gifts over the years.)

Now, having offended you, let me explain WHY. To me, what a gift SHOULD be, is that you saw something that you knew I would like...that I had to have. And then, because you care about me, decided to acquire it to share it with me. Gift giving SHOULD be an expression of affection. For NO OTHER REASON is it acceptable to throw un-needed material goods at someone.

...and why should you only do this at one time a year? (or two if you're fortunate enough to NOT have a December birthday) I feel that this is inherently wrong. I'll get you something (small usually, I'm poor) if I feel like it. Whenever. If it's a book, or candy, or a drawing, or whatever...I'll give it to you when I get it. Because there's no point in waiting to spread joy. To wait until an "event" cheapens the act.

Now again, for those of you how have given me gifts over the years let me add that I love you all and like getting stuff from you. Especially when you randomly give me a pumpkin before thanksgiving. That's great and I love it. But...in general...if you wouldn't be getting me something if it WASN'T *insert event here* then I don't want it. Whatever it is. That's all.

Comments

you will get

[rei-kun.livejournal.com]

no argument from me. I don't do it either, and I do not ask for anything for christmas except for companionship. What i want for christmas is to be around friends and family and for all of us to have a good time together. Besides I buy my loved ones so many gifts during the year that Christmas, is really just another day ^__^

ja

Rei

/signed

[tgkoutetsu.livejournal.com]

This post reflects my nobler sentiments on the subject. My more more bitter sentiments on the subject are best reflected by death metal.

I think you will find that you have many unpretentious friends. I also believe Xailmas was wrought in about the same spirit that you speak of?

For the sake of argument, I can abide $winter_gift_holiday somewhat because there are people who have the spirit of charity and brotherhood in their hearts... but they cannot find it in their daily life, or their social memes, or the schedules of their closest 20 family members to make it happen when they might want it to happen. But I still say damn and blast to the revolting commercialization.

[ngyoshi.livejournal.com]

Being in retail I can agree with you. I may get holidays like Thanksgiving and XMas off, but I have to be right back at work the next day even earlier than normal which means I usually wake up about three in the morning.

I do have a distaste for gift giving that has no meaning. I do like to get gifts for those I have spent the year with and more of a "thank you for the the year" sort of thing. That being said, I put a lot of damn thought before I give a gift. My idea of a gift is something that will make you think of me when you use it and something I know will be used instead of used once than tossed aside.

While sadly many people only do this to appease one another this time of year, I will be there the day after, making monies off of you... half asleep.

[timrehix.livejournal.com]

I am poor, I save money up and spend it at Charismas. I plan months ahead what I am going to get some people. Atma and I plotted and schemed for months when we got you your ½ birthday gift. And I think we are going to do it again for Christmas.

[rubyredrose.livejournal.com]

That's different, and more in the spirit of what I was talking about. Because you are both my nakama (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Nakama), not some random relative or co-worker that I am obligated to get "something" for.

And since there's plotting a scheming involved, saving up at a certain time makes sense. But I'd be just as happy to get something from the two of you for the anniversary of January 18 (it's the annual celebration of it being Jan.18!) as for it being xmas. More so, since I'd know you didn't spend $$ you may not have during a time when it's more expensive than usual. Not to mention that I know you like the xmas thing, had have already spend $$ on others.

Ya'know? n_n;