Unless I know exactly what they’d like, I use this simple formula to buy presents.
Under 5 years old? Get them a really big Christmas card. Little kids never get mail, so they’ll love it. Give the parents the money you’d spend to get the kid whatever they actually need.
5 to 10 years? GI Joe or Barbie. It’s like getting someone in jail a carton of Kools; if they don’t want it themselves they can swap it in the yard.
10 to 20? Cash money. You can make it fancy by getting gold colored dollar coins putting it in a draw string purse.
Over 20? Booze. Unless they are a raging alcoholic.
The writer was in Italy and toured a particular olive oil producer. They told him he could have a case sent to the US for about $5.00 a bottle. He wasn’t a great cook, but it seemed like a good price and he didn’t want to look cheap, so he got a case.
Gets back home and he has a meeting with a contractor. They are walking through the kitchen and the contractor sees one of the bottles. Goes off. Apparently, this is the Ferrari of olive oils. The writer gives him two bottles.
The job, which he assumed would take six months, was done in two.
I’ve never worked retail, but I loathe Christmas music anyway. I fucking hate going shopping in the US between October and January.
Unless I know exactly what they’d like, I use this simple formula to buy presents.
Under 5 years old? Get them a really big Christmas card. Little kids never get mail, so they’ll love it. Give the parents the money you’d spend to get the kid whatever they actually need.
5 to 10 years? GI Joe or Barbie. It’s like getting someone in jail a carton of Kools; if they don’t want it themselves they can swap it in the yard.
10 to 20? Cash money. You can make it fancy by getting gold colored dollar coins putting it in a draw string purse.
Over 20? Booze. Unless they are a raging alcoholic.
Fancy olive oil, chocolate, tea, or coffee are good alternatives, depending on their tastes.
Reminds me of a story I read a while back.
The writer was in Italy and toured a particular olive oil producer. They told him he could have a case sent to the US for about $5.00 a bottle. He wasn’t a great cook, but it seemed like a good price and he didn’t want to look cheap, so he got a case.
Gets back home and he has a meeting with a contractor. They are walking through the kitchen and the contractor sees one of the bottles. Goes off. Apparently, this is the Ferrari of olive oils. The writer gives him two bottles.
The job, which he assumed would take six months, was done in two.
Never underestimate the power of the right gift.