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It's that time of year again. Add your suggestions. Street Prophets Coffee Hour. [1]
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Date: 2023-11-26
Welcome to the Street Prophets Coffee Hour, the place where politics meets up with religion, science, art, nature, and life. Come in, have a cuppa and a cookie (or three!) and join us. Street Prophets is an open thread. All topics are welcome.
Even for many people for whom Christmas is not a religious celebration, December 25th has become a national gift-giving holiday. My daughter, living with her husband’s Muslim family, has a tree every year, with gifts wrapped in winter-themed paper under it for every household member. And I add to it, for everyone, myself. She has gifts for her Jewish neighbors and friends, too, all exchanged at about the same time. One year, when Hanukka and Christmas came at the same time, she had the entire Muslim family on the floor in front of the tree, where she taught them to play dreidel. For my brother’s family, who are as conservative as Catholics can get, it’s a religious day. And yet, they still exchange gifts.
This holiday combines something I’m good at (selecting and wrapping gifts) with something I’m not so good at (spending money). My gifts often are made throughout the year, because, hey, who can knit a dozen pairs of stockings and half a dozen caps, not to mention afghans, two weeks before the holidays? As with a lot of serious knitters, I have a stash. Not just any stash, but a stash! When planning, I look first in the storage bins (don’t ask how many!) Purchases are supplemental. Except for wrappings, for which I spare little expense.
But some people actually work for a living, which really cuts into your day. Other people, for other reasons, have different skills. A mechanic isn’t able to build a custom engine for everyone on the list. A carpenter can’t build a house, or even a cabinet, for each family member.
And then there are the difficult people. My mother was a champion at that. If she set her mind to it, she could find something wrong with every gift. She had no hobbies or interests. I imagine many of you have someone like that on your list, too.
I’m going to start with a few suggestions for those hard-to-satisfy people, but please add your own ideas. Let’s see how long this list can get.
Give their gift to someone else. It’s the closest I can come to saying “forget you!” without actually uttering the words. If they have an interest in a cause, you can donate there. Donations to local food pantries are also good. Are they a member of a religious organization that doesn’t offend you? An animal shelter or rescue group, if they have pets, is a possibility.
Food, either homemade or a specialty treat. Everyone eats, right? The downside is it’s extra work for you if you make it, and rather costly if you buy something extra special.
Gift cards. But then they know exactly what you think they’re worth.
Money. Yes, actual cash money. For teens, it’s great. The right size, the right color, always in style. Young families or people who are struggling may appreciate the relief, at least for a day, or a chance to catch up a bill or two. You may want to give it a week or so ahead, if you think they’ll need it to buy something for their own children. (I do this with the staff at my veterinarian’s office. People at that income level, including the cleaning staff, appreciate an extra $10 or $20 as they’re making their own plans.)
So what do you do?
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