December meme, Days 22 to 24

[thismaz]

I am rushing around today, so this is a quick fly-by post.

22 Are you a “peeker” about gifts, or do you prefer to be surprised?No, I'm not. Mostly because I don't keep presents lying around. In a normal year we never put out our Christmas presents until the evening of Christmas Eve, so there is no time to peek

Comments

[kazzy_cee]

I totally agree about gift cards. Although they do have their place if they are a gift for a colleague at work for example. Definitely not from close friends or family members - they should have a better idea of what I’d like.

I noticed some people have put gifts under their trees already - we never do that - they are usually put out late Christmas Eve so they are there for Christmas as a big surprise. Bit different this year, but aren’t most things!

[thismaz]

I have to admit that one of the main reasons our presents don't go out until the last minute is lack of organisation - they don't get wrapped until the last minute *g*

[curiouswombat]

It is important that presents are opened in the presence of the giver, so they can be properly thanked and can see the appreciation felt by the receiver.

I absolutely agree.

Gift cards - this year we are giving the NYM a gift card - for his favourite cycle shop as he needs some new kit and, quite honestly, I have no idea which specialist jacket or cycle gloves are the best ones for him. He is getting some personal socks - he really likes unusual socks :)

[thismaz]

There are always exceptions to absolute statements *g* - In circumstances of specialism, I totally understand the need for a gift voucher.

[texanfan]

When I have to resort to a gift card I always feel it as a personal failure. Sometimes though there isn't a choice. I may know what my nieces are into but I don't know what they already have. This year I couldn't get any gift ideas out of them but when gift cards got mentioned they had places they wanted cards from and seemed excited so that's what they got. They did give me ideas for their mom so I was able to get a real gift for my sister in law.

[thismaz]

I know what you mean; it does feel like a cheat. But I have also experienced that same dilemma of not knowing the specifics, even if I do know the general area and I agree that in those cases a gift voucher is the only (and welcomed) answer.