Presentses

[ghoti]

Tom and I were recently talking about books and how he almost always reads ebooks, which made me realise that perhaps just giving Tom all the books was not a good present strategy. So we each came up with a list of 5 things which we feel we could never have too many of for the times when inspiration hasn't struck but we still want to express

Comments

[naath]

Stuffed toys, earrings, trad gear (for climbing)... but mostly given the cost of house space I think consumables (chocolate, gin, cake) or experiences are better, if there isn't a specific thing that is clearly the Right Thing.

[ghoti]

Yes, Tom went for exciting ingredients and sweeties as two of his list.

[gerald_duck]

Am I alone in not being into the whole unsolicited/unexpected/surprise gifts thing?

What would be on my list would be "Just bring yourself. Anything else, discuss in advance."

[ghoti]

I'll bear that in mind.

I don't think you're alone, but I do like presents, and I don't have a lot of money to spend on myself, and I don't think it's particularly weird for partners and family members to exchange gifts for birthdays, religious festivals or perhaps anniversaries.

[gerald_duck]

A gift doesn't have to be a surprise. "What if I got you XYZ for our anniversary?" has always struck me as an intensely sensible question.

[ghoti]

Ah. Yes, you're right, but that's just not the way I think. I like surprises.

[shermarama]

Yeah, I'd struggle with anything that wasn't consumables. I really appreciate books as a present, especially when they're special to the person who gave it to me (a significant fraction of the ones I'm taking to NZ were presents, including one you gave me) but they're definitely not in the category of 'things I can't have too many of'.

[ghoti]

That makes sense.

[livredor]

That's a really good question by you and Tom! And I like how your list makes you sound like a Victorian lady.

I'm not sure I could come up with five things I always want /can't have too many of that are not books. I usually end up asking people for recommendations or for making plans to spend time together, but really don't work as a way of expressing affection through physical gifts. Cake or biscuits, thoughtful personal letters, ornaments less than an inch tall, owls (as long as the giver doesn't go completely overboard with always giving me that), games (I mean, I hypothetically could have more than would fit in my house, but I'm basically always pleased to receive a new game as a gift).

[ghoti]

Well, I dress a little like a Victorian lady, but I prefer the level of gender equality we have now, and am not big on Victorian racism or classism even. And thank you.

[nou]

What a good topic! My five are:

• postcards with thoughtful messages on
• tiny bottles/packets/jars of interesting seasonings
• gel pens in any colour other than blue
• small packets of unusual types of rice
• themed postal stamps (i.e. ones that cost the same as normal stamps but have different pictures on)

[ghoti]

What an interesting list! They sound fun. And I'm always flattered to be memed, go ahead.

[nou]

Done, thanks!