home - blogs - stop it. stop it. stop it.

Stop it. Stop it. Stop it.

Oh, for god's sake, won't you please, please, please stop it?

Stop with the soaps and the candles and the hothouse flowers and the little trinkets and the earrings I'll never wear and the tchotskes I don't want to dust off and the random tanktops with strange logos and all the shit in bags and boxes, wrapped in plastic and paper, just crying out to be left behind in the restaurant after the birthday party, because - let's face it - we're all drunk and no one can keep track of the bill, let alone a passel of presents...

I. Don't. Want. Random. Obligatory. Gifts.

And because I love you, I promise you, I will never get you one ever again. If it doesn't SCREAM your name, I'm not buying it. I don't care if it's the right time of year or not. Yes, if I know that you LOVE that candle or can't get enough of that soap or have a desperate need for that trinket, it's yours. Even if not your birthday or Christmas or anniversary, you'll get it, and I'll either save it for the special day, or just give you a Christmas present in August.

But people, please. No more obligatory gifts.

Well, unless it's wine. Even I will remember to grab that before leaving the party.

-Heather... off to take a box of stuff to Goodwill...

Posted by: tmeronek on 06/18/2007
related tip
We are too. We've all given and received gifts out of obligation - but let's face it, many gifts are really unwanted (read: junk). Stop the madness, and make a pact with your friends 'n' fam to get each other a gift only when you are moved to give, not obligated.
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Christy  on June 18, 2007 at 06:55 AM 1
I'd like to find the source for "it would take 5 earths to support the lifestyle of everyone on the planet living like an American" - can anyone help?
katie  on June 18, 2007 at 07:18 AM 2
You can try this website about ecological footprints. It may not have the exact fact you are looking for, but plenty of other disturbing information. http://www.earthday.net/footprint/index.asp
Terri  on June 18, 2007 at 07:32 AM 3
Our family STOPPED sending Christmas gifts to each other but we LOVE celebrating our birthdays and being special for a day. However, we have made a pact of sharing an EXPERIENCE rather than STUFF - movies, plays, concerts, spas, housecleaning gifts,road trips, plane trips...wine ALWAYS welcome. WHINE never welcome.
kate  on June 18, 2007 at 08:29 AM 4
If you feel obliged to give a gift, and there are still many social situations that do require this, why not make a gift to charity on the recipient's behalf? We definitely consume too much in the US, but there are many people who lack so many goods and services. Or you could even just make a gift to an environmentally friendly organization that is planting trees, improving energy efficiency in the homes of poor communities, etc.
Phil Hildreth  on June 18, 2007 at 08:53 AM 5
Tell Heather I'll gladly take the bong off her hands. PHIL
Adriane  on June 18, 2007 at 09:13 AM 6
I would like to echo the point about giving to a charity. That is what we do in my family. We either give to a charity that the gift recipient is passionate about, or in the case of those who are less socially conscious, seek out a charity that they may become passionate about. Like my brother who is 16, doesn't care about much besides football and guitar, so last Christmas we gave him a contribution to a charity that was trying to get guitars, etc. for all of the musicians who lost them in Katrina.
Damon Bishop  on June 18, 2007 at 09:47 AM 7
I agree with the EXPERIENCE posted by Terri. I gave experiences last year for Christmas and it worked out so well....and shopping was not an experience...but going to the zoo, out to dinner, to the movies, to have a manicure, etc. were all in the mix...and tailored to the recipient. I am also a big fan of receiving a donation in my name to a favorite cause..that always scores big points in my book because my friends who are paying attention get it: I DON'T LIKE STUFF!!!!! :) (I loved this tip, btw)
merlinaut  on June 18, 2007 at 09:59 AM 8
Love the funny tip headline; good comments.
Annabelle  on June 18, 2007 at 11:50 AM 9
Brilliant tip! My family is in the process of cleaning out the house of my raised in the Depression, pack-rat, bargain-loving grandmother who has recently had to move to assisted living and has left behind about 30 years worth of accumulation. The boxes of stuff sitting unused in this house are unbelievable!!! My husband and I are both of the mindset that if it doesn't get used and/or we don't totally love it then we don't need it, but cleaning out this house continues to inspire me to be the thrift store's very good friend.
Anna  on June 18, 2007 at 12:32 PM 10
I will also take any unneeded bongs off your hands.
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