I don’t participate in holiday gift giving. I started opting out a few years ago because similar to the premise in Joel Waldfogel’s Scroogenomics: Why you shouldn’t buy presents for the holidays, I find that gift giving often leads to a lot of waste.
Budget shoppers, I know you know what I mean. We spend a lot of time deliberating over every single purchase, a process that involves analyzing cost, value, function, fit, satisfaction, and other factors. The decision to keep an item involves an equally extensive process. So, how could I ever make such an informed purchase for someone else or vice versa?
If I had a holiday wishlist, though, it would have a MICHAEL Michael Kors Jet Set iPad case in the beautiful python print.
And, while I am wishing, I might as well get an iPad to put in that case, right?
Now, I can probably buy the items on my wishlist (or even easier, convince my husband to get them for me). My potential satisfaction with the new items, however, does not currently outweigh their cost. So, the inevitable news of the case going on sale after the holidays or the next generation iPad having more memory, more features, and more apps would especially hurt. For now then, I wait until my satisfaction-to-cost ratio shifts.
What are your holiday gift giving practices?
i was able to get some great deals (before that black friday/cyber monday mess) and i got everyone something this year. next year, i dont plan on doing it. i said i would only get my nieces something but it turned into getting for my whole family. i need to stick to the plan next time.
I don't do it either because of the origins of Christmas itself. I do believe in giving from the heart throughout the year though and not because someone tells me to do it in December.
It can be so time consuming and stressful trying to find the perfect gift for everyone. During the holidays my family just gives gifts to the children.