People have been writing Christmas lists as early as September (in the Philippines, the months ending in BER signal the start of the Christmas season – so that’s one pretty long buffer period, but pray tell, what’s with the so-called Christmas rush?) and I am no exception. I’ve bought a few for my family, and I’m still waiting on the Christmas Kringle with my friends.
Now, I understand la ekonomiya is down right now – and perhaps there is no choice but to save or, God-forbid, recycle gifts, but this coming Christmas - lemme just remind you my dear friends, and fab readers, that there are Christmas gifts you should just keep…to yourselves.
Scented Candles – blegh! One more scented candle and my sense of smell is gonna go whack! I have tons of scented candles here at home (kulang na lang gumamela scent), and the idea of lighting 20 candles at the same time, in a tropical country, already makes me sweat(what more if I DO light them all up). While a rendezvous with candles and rose petals sounds sexy, leave ‘em to the movie makers. In real life, you’re just a fire hazard, your nostrils won’t thank you for all the soot in the morning, plus it’s a horrifying sight for you partner when he/she wakes up.
Stuffed Toys - seriously! I’m 27 years old. And please, blue magic is soOo grade school.
Fruitcake
I have this theory that all the fruitcake we’ve been receiving (and I wrote receiving because I can’t remember a Christmas when we didn’t get any) originally came from the 10th century BC (fruitcake started in Ancient Rome) and has been recycled everysince, passed on from family to family, generation to generation. I really can’t stand it, and it hurts when you get hit by one, haha!
Mug – I have 2, from starbucks and dlsu. Those will be fine. And please no more faker-starbucks-mugs-thermos please. I may work for 3rdworldlove.com, but it doesn’t mean I’ll be accepting every 3rd world product thrown my way. And it’s soOo not creative.
Tacky Figurines/Home Decor – they only collect dust at home and your idea of beauty might be my idea of ugly. So, let’s save me from the risk of offending you because I chose not display your Christmas gift on our coffee table or office desk.
Spa Items(especially foot spa stuff) - this has got to be the picture frame of the 90s (remember when you got picture frames in the 90s? it was probably the most popular generic gift of that era), and sends the message: “dear, your feet needs major overhaul”.
Anything Recycled - especially if it came from me. Which means you either didn’t like it (my fault really), or you completely forgot I gave it to you.
That old cliché, “it’s the thought that counts” was probably muttered by some guy who had no creative gene in his body, and can’t be bothered to give amazing gifts to friends. Gifts coming from the heart are more appreciated than expensive ones.
What Christmas gifts are you tired of getting? Is it really the thought that counts? And if I’m to follow that christmas song, “Santa Claus is coming to town,” does that mean I’ve been a very bad kid(ehe)? Share your thoughts and leave a comment!
I work in the Lost & Found Dept of the web :) Pescetarian for more than a 200 days now. Loves dogs. and shoes. and ok maybe make-up(i'm just a girl, after all..) 2011= 20eleVEN.