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jackWhat are presents? Shall we say, giving someone something they wouldn't have had otherwise. However, the reasons why they don't have that differ. For a child, it's probably "your parents haven't bought it yet." For many people, it's "I can't afford to buy that." However, a pleasant middle-class household *could* afford any thing they wanted, all the way up to £200,000 if they chose; but they can't afford *all* things, so you chose which to spend surplus income on. Then the limiting factor is almost "thoyling." A present to myself is something I can afford, that's fun, but that I'm being profligate for :) If you're actually pretty rich, then you have the "already got everything problem."
The *other* limiting factor is knowing you wanted something, or that something existed. That's why buying presents can be so difficult, you're looking for something you know someone would like, that they wouldn't. Meeting both factors is more "wow-ful" though meeting either is fine. For someone very rich, this is about the only way. For someone very poor, it's obviously better, but there would be many things you both know you want, that would be very acceptable. If you can't meet either, that's when you exchange book tokens, which is perfectly fine, but isn't special.
Of course, there are other things as well. You might give someone something they couldn't have for any combination of reasons including the above and: you were married to them didn't previously want them to; they would be embarrassed to buy it; they would have had to get it shipped from another country; etc.
This is why I like books. If you *really* want a book, you can buy it, but there are too many good books, so having that specific one is a little extra unjustified luxury. And there will *always* be books you might like but haven't read. It's difficult to know what, but at least you stand a *fair* chance of picking right :)
For myself, I always like:
* Things I didn't know I wanted, geek toys, etc.
* Music. I listen to almost no music, so if you want to impress your tastes upon me, try, please! :)
* Books. Pick something you like and think I might like, and it'll always be gratefully received.
* Chocolate. I don't *especially* like chocolate, but it's always very nice and I never buy it :)
The *other* limiting factor is knowing you wanted something, or that something existed. That's why buying presents can be so difficult, you're looking for something you know someone would like, that they wouldn't. Meeting both factors is more "wow-ful" though meeting either is fine. For someone very rich, this is about the only way. For someone very poor, it's obviously better, but there would be many things you both know you want, that would be very acceptable. If you can't meet either, that's when you exchange book tokens, which is perfectly fine, but isn't special.
Of course, there are other things as well. You might give someone something they couldn't have for any combination of reasons including the above and: you were married to them didn't previously want them to; they would be embarrassed to buy it; they would have had to get it shipped from another country; etc.
This is why I like books. If you *really* want a book, you can buy it, but there are too many good books, so having that specific one is a little extra unjustified luxury. And there will *always* be books you might like but haven't read. It's difficult to know what, but at least you stand a *fair* chance of picking right :)
For myself, I always like:
* Things I didn't know I wanted, geek toys, etc.
* Music. I listen to almost no music, so if you want to impress your tastes upon me, try, please! :)
* Books. Pick something you like and think I might like, and it'll always be gratefully received.
* Chocolate. I don't *especially* like chocolate, but it's always very nice and I never buy it :)
no subject
Date: 2007-01-01 02:05 pm (UTC)Giggle. "Mummy, why haven't you got me a scooter yet?"