Un-popular post time~!
Nov. 16th, 2007 11:50 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rubyredroseHope 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.
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.
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/signed
Date: 2007-11-17 01:09 am (UTC)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.