..and it all comes back full circle.

A few thoughts on the customs of gift giving..

Remember when people were beating each other black and blue for tickle-me-elmos? When I give something to someone, it's usually because I'm thankful for their influence in my life. I do really cheesy things, especially when I'm interested in getting to know a person..I have a terrible mix-tape[cd? ha.] habit. At this point, I couldn't even count on my hands how many times I've made people these very purposeful mixes..and most of the time, upon receipt of this gift, they seem genuinely surprised that I went to such lengths on something seemingly simple. [I usually include a little background information on each carefully selected song, a favorite quote or lyric, and a really elaborate collage fashioned into a cover of sorts.] Now, keep in mind that not just anyone can receive one of these things. It's generally a gift of nerdy romantic sorts, and if you're looking at succuss rates..well, just don't look at those.

You know what's like a gift these days? Getting something in the mail. A personal letter makes the entire day seem different. Maybe that's just it though. Gifts are at their very best when unexpected. Who wants to expect a gift anyway? That's terrible. Things that tie two people together, take a person back to a certain time or place, anything of that nature is perfect. Also, to recieve something you have a real need for. ex: Taking a friend grocery shopping during a rough financial time. That is a gift.

Summary: How much are the retro tickle-me-elmos going for on Ebay?

A Polite Gesture

Giving a gift, if nothing else, has always been a polite gesture.  Even if the gift you are giving is something that isn't particularly useful, we are taught that it's "the thought that counts."

Tying into the theme of the free gift and whether or not such a thing exists:  I would say that many gifts, a lot of the better ones in life, cost little to nothing.  While it's always great to receive an expensive sweater or a stack of new dress shirts, nothing can replace the thoughtfulness of a simple painting made especially for you.  Or perhaps a custom knit scarf that was made with you in mind.  Yarn is incredibly cheap but if you get a gift like that, it's something you'll cherish because you know it means something.  It wasn't just picked up at some store at the last minute.  Money isn't always the answer.  There was a good example of this in an episode of the show Seinfeld where Jerry couldn't think of a gift to give Elaine, so he ended up giving her a card with over a hundred dollars in it.  She responded with "you gave me cash?" in a disgusted tone.

You don't need money to give a good gift.  I personally try to give a gift at any occasion that seems to require one.  I feel like it's rude not to.

Hustler?

The time we have in this life is precious. It is a gift we didn't have to ask for. It is limited. One wrong move, one slip..and that time you think you have is taken in fractions of a second. "Yeah..I got all the time in the world to ______." Fill in the blank. Really? Is anything certain? Maybe in the back of everyone's mind, whether they are conscious of it or not, lingers this thought of own's own mortality. I think that is the root of this idea that "time is money". I'm an observer of people by nature, so I find myself being captivated by the crowds of men and women as they're headed off to work in the morning. Suit, tie, heels, skinny skirt, breifcase, coffee[a lot of coffee], face forward, quickened step. All of them headed to different places of business, most of them with some desire to move forward, all of them with loved ones and memories and a story to tell. But when I see them..their stories almost have a way of blending into one. Money is status, money brings leisure, wealth equals security for the future. Is anything certain? Not in the least bit.