Harry
CibbuanoChristmas gift purchasing pressure
December 19th 2006 01:39
When I was a kid as soon as December rolled round the days to Christmas used to drag on by. Christmas used to be fun. Of course there were the presents to look forward to but more than anything else, the chance to enjoy the long summers with the extended family, go camping and that nice lazy period between the final week leading up to Christmas and New Years Day was the perfect chance to recharge for the New Year. Now it seems Christmas is one big headache. Amid all the chaos with rounding up the year at the workplace, there’s masses of people, sales and kitsch junk at the retail outlets. I find the entire present purchasing custom completely stressful. In the midst of trying to decide what to get whom, there’s also the debate of if you should be buying a gift for someone at all.
If you’re dating someone new, I would say the best advice is to have an honest conversation with them. This way you’re not awkwardly caught off-guard when they surprise you with a gift and you’ve got nothing for them because you didn’t think you were exchanging gifts. It’s definitely a short conversation you need to have, but make it light and like it’s no big deal. Slip in the gift giving topic during general conversation. A good lead in to the new relationship Christmas present discussion is to ask if they want something during the festive period. A quick, “Hey, I’m finishing up my shopping this week and did you want something in particular for Christmas?” This will get their ideas. They will either say, “Nah, that’s ok.” Or “Oh, I’ve already got your gift.”
Once you’ve established whether you’ll be exchanging gifts with the latest squeeze, the next step is to clarify a price range you’re each spending. It’s very awkward to spend $15 on a simple CD and get a rather expensive gift certificate for a day at the spa. There is also the consideration of what to get them. Getting something appropriate, not too serious but still personal and sweet is difficult. Obviously, the better you know them or the longer you’ve been together the easier it is. A good trick is to brainstorm what hobbies they have, collections, or anything they’ve been mentioning. Again, if you have no clue, ask them for some ideas. Say something like, “I’m really trying to find something extra special for you. Any clues as to what you’d love so I don’t get you something you already have?”
If you’re completely stuck try cruising round the internet. There are plenty of gift sites which can spark some ideas and you can shop by occasion, recipient and their interests, or even personality. I would recommend going to a site like that if you are really stuck and want some fun ideas to kick-start you. The online gift sites tend to have expensive present options, it may be better to use the online shopping option as a way of getting ideas rather than necessarily purchasing through the site.
Of course with last-minute shopping your best bet is to go at the most unconventional times, because if you think Saturday afternoon is convenient when you’re off work, think how many others are thinking the exact same thing. Generally, first thing in the morning when the shops first open they’re usually not so crowded. Maybe you can go in to work late one morning after shopping and stay late to make up the time. Although at this time of year, pandemonium at all retail hours is generally to be expected.
If you’re dating someone new, I would say the best advice is to have an honest conversation with them. This way you’re not awkwardly caught off-guard when they surprise you with a gift and you’ve got nothing for them because you didn’t think you were exchanging gifts. It’s definitely a short conversation you need to have, but make it light and like it’s no big deal. Slip in the gift giving topic during general conversation. A good lead in to the new relationship Christmas present discussion is to ask if they want something during the festive period. A quick, “Hey, I’m finishing up my shopping this week and did you want something in particular for Christmas?” This will get their ideas. They will either say, “Nah, that’s ok.” Or “Oh, I’ve already got your gift.”
Once you’ve established whether you’ll be exchanging gifts with the latest squeeze, the next step is to clarify a price range you’re each spending. It’s very awkward to spend $15 on a simple CD and get a rather expensive gift certificate for a day at the spa. There is also the consideration of what to get them. Getting something appropriate, not too serious but still personal and sweet is difficult. Obviously, the better you know them or the longer you’ve been together the easier it is. A good trick is to brainstorm what hobbies they have, collections, or anything they’ve been mentioning. Again, if you have no clue, ask them for some ideas. Say something like, “I’m really trying to find something extra special for you. Any clues as to what you’d love so I don’t get you something you already have?”
If you’re completely stuck try cruising round the internet. There are plenty of gift sites which can spark some ideas and you can shop by occasion, recipient and their interests, or even personality. I would recommend going to a site like that if you are really stuck and want some fun ideas to kick-start you. The online gift sites tend to have expensive present options, it may be better to use the online shopping option as a way of getting ideas rather than necessarily purchasing through the site.
Of course with last-minute shopping your best bet is to go at the most unconventional times, because if you think Saturday afternoon is convenient when you’re off work, think how many others are thinking the exact same thing. Generally, first thing in the morning when the shops first open they’re usually not so crowded. Maybe you can go in to work late one morning after shopping and stay late to make up the time. Although at this time of year, pandemonium at all retail hours is generally to be expected.
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