In Christmastimes past, people seemed content to give—and receive—things that no one really needs: tchotchkes, scented candles, holiday CDs, that sort of thing. Now that the economy has tanked, when someone receives a silly gift, the reaction isn’t merely “Bummer,” but “Wow, I could have really used whatever money was just wasted on that.”
The WSJ explores the “Year of Practical Giving,” in which folks are happy to receive boring, entirely practical gifts—a new set of car tires, a winter coat, reusable plastic containers, gift cards to Home Depot or Target (even if some folks don’t think so highly of gift cards). Not long ago, such gifts might have been considered lame or crass, perhaps even a tiny bit insulting. Like asking for dessert and being handed a plate of broccoli. Now, however, wasting money on a silly trifle can seem insensitive. The silly trifle is viewed for what it is: a silly waste.
Meanwhile, in an op-ed for the NY Times, Margaret Visser tackles the tricky topic if obligatory giving. Is it really a gift if you feel you have no choice but to give it, she wonders. Not really. She writes:
A person is grateful to receive a gift precisely to the degree to which she realizes that the giver wants to give it, that real benevolence is its meaning. If you “gift” something, offering a present entirely out of duty or convention, do not expect gratitude: receivers usually know what the present represents. And gratitude is not normally inspired by a duty done.
But gratitude is the receiver’s to give should she want to. In fact, gratitude is like any true gift, both intentional and gratis. In times when duty and politeness seem to be in decline, receivers are capable of being grateful to — and grateful for — people who are dutiful. Therefore, should “gifting” take place at Christmas, people who think (“thank” is related to “think”) will be capable of gratitude for “gifting” too.
Whoah, my head hurts. Maybe that’s a little too deep for what’s supposed to be a slow, extremely leisurely time of year. But it does bring to light something that everybody knows: A lot of holiday gift-giving is not remotely motivated “from the heart.” The thought behind the gift, which is supposed to truly count above all else, usually starts as this: OK, now who to I have to buy for this year? That’s obligation, not benevolence.
Beyond what motivates gift-giving, another problem is that, as Scroogenomics author Joel Waldfogel argues, the holiday gift exchange tradition is an extremely inefficient use of money.
Speaking of which, we all know what the perfect, most practical gift is. Hint: They have lots of it in banks (at least in the banks that are still in business). And it’s ideal for last-minute shoppers—no shopping required, actually.
If you’re not sold and are still doing some extremely last-minute shopping, here are some ways to save.