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Itzl Alert Network: Tuesday, 12th of December, 2023: Gift Giving [1]

['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']

Date: 2023-12-11

Okay, in this diary, I want to completely analyze everything about the ritual of giving gifts.

Of course, there is no way I can do a totally thorough job of that in one small diary.

But I can toss out a few ideas, and you can tell me what you think.

As you can see by Itzl's concerned look, this group is for us to check in at, to let people know we are alive, doing OK, and not affected by such things as heat, blizzards, floods, wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, power outages, or other such things that could keep us off Daily Kos. If you're not here, or anywhere else on Daily Kos, and there are adverse conditions in your area (floods, heatwaves, hurricanes, etc.), we are going to check up on you. If you are going to be away from your computer for a day or a week, let us know here. We care! IAN is a great group to join, and a good place to learn to write diaries. Drop one of us a PM to be added to the Itzl Alert Network anytime! We all share the publishing duties, and we welcome everyone who reads IAN to write diaries for the group! Every member is an editor, so anyone can take a turn when they have something to say, photos and music to share, a cause to promote or news! This is our current schedule of regular IAN diary writers: Monday: Youffraita Tuesday: bigjacbigjacbigjac Wednesday: Pam from Calif Thursday: art ah zen Friday: FloridaSNMOM Saturday: FloridaSNDad Sunday: loggersbrat The little dog is named Itzl.

First, I want to talk about the obvious common gifts, a watch, a ring, a shirt, a book, a shelf decorating item.

Many years ago, I recall reading that billions of dollars are spent, here in the USA, on such items that simply never get used by the recipients.

Never get used at all.

I did a search to find that, and I failed to find it. Instead, I got a report about a billion dollars' worth of value left on gift cards that never get used.

I will write about gift cards a little way down the page.

Tonia always valued the wisdom of the 5 love languages:

irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/…

Only one of those love languages is physical gifts:

Tangible Gifts – Giving physical items. Remember: • Give gifts to those who appreciate it • Gift must be something the person values • Can be time off • Most common is food

So, if you truly are convinced that someone on your list values this love language, then go for it, buy that tangible item.

Between Tonia and I, she liked acts of service, and I like words of affirmation.

So, we did not spend money on tangible items for each other, at Christmas or birthdays or Valentine’s Day. (Well, maybe I got her a plush toy one Valentine’s Day. I was working at Walmart, it was right there handy, I had my employee discount.)

Instead, I did all her honey-dos, and she told me I was doing great.

(The other two love languages are quality time and physical touch.)

(Make sure you go to the link. It is a short PDF, easy to read and understand.)

3. The most effective communication of love and appreciation occurs when the message is sent in the love language most valued by the receiver. 4. Messages of love and appreciation in languages not valued by the recipient will tend to miss the mark.

So, you can try to use the wisdom of the 5 love languages information at Christmas time, seems to me. You can figure out what your family truly wants, from those five, and give them that.

On the topic of gift cards, in spite of the above information, that folks may not use all the value on the gift card, I still like the idea of gift cards.

Cash is also a nice idea. The only negative is that the cash may not go to anything special, just gasoline or groceries. But that also happens with gift cards, especially Visa gift cards or Walmart gift cards.

As I thought about all this, I found myself thinking that coffee mugs or kitchen items might be well received by most folks.

www.bedbathandbeyond.com/…

Stackable Metal Wire Fruit Basket Cart, Rolling, Freestanding $62.04

My kitchen is way too small for that item, but if I had room, it would be a nice place to put items I often cook with, such as oatmeal, certain canned goods, and my slider plastic bags, and my trash bags.

Hey, I just realized, I might buy that anyway, and set it over here near my desk, just outside the kitchen.

Ha!

We will see.

In the Monday IAN comments, someone posted some poetry.

Then I replied, with more poetry.

Some of you said you liked my poetry.

So, here is more poetry:

We want to make each other feel

some tender loving care.

We think of giving gifts so real,

so wonderful and rare.

But then we stop, we ask, we think,

and maybe change our plans.

Maybe not the dress, in pink.

Maybe pots and pans!

Ha!

Well, tell me in the comments if you think my advice has any value or not.

And remember, my love language is words of affirmation!

Ha!

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