A Christmas shopping Idea

[donjuan]

Ok, so I was sitting on the bus last week, and a guy was talking to the bus driver about how he has to go out christmas shopping for his wife, and how it's such a big pain shopping for her because she is so picky.  The bus driver then said that he was planning on "getting it all done" on his way back from the bus station on a friday night. 

It seems like Christmas shopping is more of a chore than anything, so I came up with an idea concerning gift shopping FOR FAMILY MEMBERS:
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So, what if all the money you spent on gifts for other family members went towards buying gifts for yourself?  Overall, the family does not lose anymore money than it would have anyway; the only difference is that you get gifts for yourself- stuff you actually want or need!  No more gift return receipts to keep track of... no more trips back to stores to return that ugly sweater your mom likes more than you do... 

and most importantly, no terrible guilt feelings from buying a cheap gift for your sister when you discover on Christmas Day that she went out and bought something expensive for you. 

Of course, the only bad thing about my idea is that the element of surprise is gone, and perhaps it does something bad for family communication etc, but come on!  We are family!  We all love eachother.  In fact, we love eachother sooooo much, we just dont want to put one another through the crowds at the mall or "last minute" rushes when you suffer from terrible guilt feelings when you see an Xbox 360 - shaped gift sitting under the tree with your name on it.  You may not even want the big expensive gift; but you just feel like crap because someone went and spent so much on your gift, when you bought them a $5 snowglobe that's not doing anyone any favors.

In fact, because of this crap feeling, you may go out and buy something expensive for the other person as an attempt to redeem your cheap self.  Do you see the negative feedback loop being created?  If everyone just went out shopping for themselves, they would buy exactly what they want, no more, no less.

Come on, this is Christmas!  I thought if everyone bought stuff for themselves, then the focus could be on spending time together, rather than critically appraising another family member's attempt at guessing what you like.
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What do you think about my idea? I told it to my family and I am getting mixed reviews: My dad likes it because he's selfish and lazy like me, but my sister and mother are at the other end of the spectrum, like how I predict all women are..

donjuan

p.s. of course, if you have a girlfriend, you may want to buy her the edible underwear yourself... you know... just to give a nudge in the right direction

[allchopin]

Actually it's not such a bad idea - my family has brought it up (few years in the past) but we have never actually done it.  The element of surprise could be redeemed by still having all the gifts wrapped, but you don't know which is which until you open them. 
I still don't find this completely necessary though; surely you know your family well enough to where you can find something they could enjoy, even if it is cheap.  Get them some sheet music and if they don't play the piano, 'my mistake' 

[rc]

It's not so much the gift itself as the symbol of going out of your way, trying to think of something that person would enjoy. Also the most accepted marketing gimmick in all creation.

To me, gifts are mostly for the kids, a present means more to them. Working adults can pretty much afford any of the smaller things they need anyhow. What's really special for me are the cabbage rolls, delicious.

It's crossed my mind to just ask for cards from people, and just give them a card. Then I think, hell, might as well just give some chocolates if I can't think of something good, at least that's edible.

The real problem are those distant relatives who ya never see, sending me gifts that I might've been interested in about 10 years ago. Then I never send them anything, since I don't even know most of their names. A tight-knit bunch we are.

[leahcim]

So, what if all the money you spent on gifts for other family members went towards buying gifts for yourself?

Excellent idea!

...oh you wrote some more stuff after that? I'll read it and tell the others after Christmas

[lau]

I despise this proposition. Quit your job as a cheap sandwich artist and move on. I know you know what I'm talking about.

Best Weeshes,

Lau Chan, (F.B.)

[Jacey1973]

I see where you are coming from.

In fact my father already does this. He is impossible to buy for. I know that whatever i get him he won't use so for the last couple of years he's bought himself obscure CDs/DVDs/books etc which i would never think to buy him and i've just given him the money for them and wrapped them up for Christmas day! We both prefer this because i we both then know that he's getting something he actually wants!

I really hate how stressed my parents get over the Christmas season - all because of presents. By mum despises rushing round the shops any time of the year (she is terrible at making decisions, so choosing presents for everyone is her idea of a nightmare). Then she's up late wrapping everything, fretting about the cooking and just about everything else.

By the time Christmas day comes my parents have been grumpy in the last few days leading up to the day, which makes everyone else irritable. They do nothing but moan, which really depresses me. They do make an effort on the day though, which is nice but they are so exhausted they will sleep for most of the afternoon/evening!!

I just think - what is the point of all this stress? When Christmas is supposed to be about Jesus. Where did it all go so wrong? I really would be happy with no presents at all if only my parents would not get so stressed and moody about it all. Going to mass on Christmas morning and the family meal is what i enjoy the most.

[donjuan]

Wow! thanks everyone for reading what I had to say, and responding with such interesting posts! 

I despise this proposition. Quit your job as a cheap sandwich artist and move on. I know you know what I'm talking about.

Best Weeshes,

Lau Chan, (F.B.)

actually, I really don't... sandwich artist? quit my job??  I've never been so confused in all my life.  hmmm all I know if that you should have picked option number 4..

I just think - what is the point of all this stress? When Christmas is supposed to be about Jesus. Where did it all go so wrong? I really would be happy with no presents at all if only my parents would not get so stressed and moody about it all. Going to mass on Christmas morning and the family meal is what i enjoy the most.

It went wrong when producers got a brilliant idea to exploit people's beliefs and good values to start selling christmasy crap for us to buy at Christmas.  It has long been at the point where Christmas is simply not Christmas without giving gifts.  It is kind of like how jewellers somehow convinced the public that a diamond ring is necessary for marriage.  Marriage is supposed to be about love and devotion, but now, if I want in, I just have to buy her that ring..... or she'll slap me and call me a cheapskate.  d**n jewellery companies... I could buy a decent digital piano for the price of a diamond ring, but noooooo

...so yes, I understand where you are coming from too.

[rc]

Chuck Norris crushes lumps of coal into diamond rings with his bare hands. Not because he's cheap, but because it means more.

[leahcim]

Chuck Norris crushes lumps of coal into diamond rings with his bare hands. Not because he's cheap, but because it means more.

...but only if the coal is thrown at him one piece at a time...

[allchopin]

When Christmas is supposed to be about Jesus. Where did it all go so wrong?

Jesus..Christmas? What?

[rc]

...but only if the coal is thrown at him one piece at a time...

Chuck Norris can only do one roundhouse kick at a time.