#giftgiving — Public Fediverse posts

Relationship Expectations: Texting Social Media-Affection and Spending
https://wp.me/p84YjG-aTK
#relationships #dating #communication #texting #socialmedia #publicaffection #giftgiving #moderndating #datingadvice #relationshipadvice #menandrelationships #selfawareness #zsoltzsemba

https://zsoltzsemba.com/the-relationship-expectations-nobody-talks-about-until-its-too-late/

Relationship Expectations: Texting Social Media-Affection and Spending
https://wp.me/p84YjG-aTK
#relationships #dating #communication #texting #socialmedia #publicaffection #giftgiving #moderndating #datingadvice #relationshipadvice #menandrelationships #selfawareness #zsoltzsemba

https://zsoltzsemba.com/the-relationship-expectations-nobody-talks-about-until-its-too-late/

Relationship Expectations: Texting Social Media-Affection and Spending
https://wp.me/p84YjG-aTK
#relationships #dating #communication #texting #socialmedia #publicaffection #giftgiving #moderndating #datingadvice #relationshipadvice #menandrelationships #selfawareness #zsoltzsemba

https://zsoltzsemba.com/the-relationship-expectations-nobody-talks-about-until-its-too-late/

Relationship Expectations: Texting Social Media-Affection and Spending
https://wp.me/p84YjG-aTK
#relationships #dating #communication #texting #socialmedia #publicaffection #giftgiving #moderndating #datingadvice #relationshipadvice #menandrelationships #selfawareness #zsoltzsemba

https://zsoltzsemba.com/the-relationship-expectations-nobody-talks-about-until-its-too-late/

Relationship Expectations: Texting Social Media-Affection and Spending
https://wp.me/p84YjG-aTK
#relationships #dating #communication #texting #socialmedia #publicaffection #giftgiving #moderndating #datingadvice #relationshipadvice #menandrelationships #selfawareness #zsoltzsemba

https://zsoltzsemba.com/the-relationship-expectations-nobody-talks-about-until-its-too-late/

https://www.europesays.com/britain/37424/ Toppers & Complements Market in the United Kingdom | Report – IndexBox #CADForDesign #ConsumerGoodsMarketReport #ECommerceVisualizationTools #forecast #GiftGiving #HomeStylingAndRefresh #MarketAnalysis #RealEstateStaging #SeasonalDecoration #SocialMediaTrendAnalytics #SustainableMaterialSourcing #Toppers&Complements #UK #UnitedKingdom

Millennial parents are pleading with Boomer grandparents to stop giving excessive gifts to grandkids

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.upworthy.com/millennial-parents-are-pleading-with-boomer-grandparents-to-stop-giving-excessive-gifts-grandkids-ex1/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=millennial-parents-are-pleading-with-boomer-grandparents-to-stop-giving-excessive-gifts-grandkids-ex1

"Happy birthday!"

"Wow!"

"I gotta gift for you!"

"You shouldn't have. It's a big box. I said get me something little, like a little toy or something."

"Open it."

"Okay. [...] Wait... you got me a toilet?"

"Yes. A wavelet is a little wave, so a toilet is a little toy."

"If you have to explain your gift..."

#toilet #toy #little #GiftGiving

"Happy birthday!"

"Wow!"

"I gotta gift for you!"

"You shouldn't have. It's a big box. I said get me something little, like a little toy or something."

"Open it."

"Okay. [...] Wait... you got me a toilet?"

"Yes. A wavelet is a little wave, so a toilet is a little toy."

"If you have to explain your gift..."

#toilet #toy #little #GiftGiving

"Happy birthday!"

"Wow!"

"I gotta gift for you!"

"You shouldn't have. It's a big box. I said get me something little, like a little toy or something."

"Open it."

"Okay. [...] Wait... you got me a toilet?"

"Yes. A wavelet is a little wave, so a toilet is a little toy."

"If you have to explain your gift..."

#toilet #toy #little #GiftGiving

"Happy birthday!"

"Wow!"

"I gotta gift for you!"

"You shouldn't have. It's a big box. I said get me something little, like a little toy or something."

"Open it."

"Okay. [...] Wait... you got me a toilet?"

"Yes. A wavelet is a little wave, so a toilet is a little toy."

"If you have to explain your gift..."

#toilet #toy #little #GiftGiving

Valentine's Day spending hits record $29.1 billion as pet gifts surge: Americans plan to spend a record $199.78 per person on Valentine's gifts in 2026, with pet spending reaching $2.1 billion as consumers expand celebrations. https://ppc.land/valentines-day-spending-hits-record-29-1-billion-as-pet-gifts-surge/ #ValentinesDay #Love #GiftGiving #PetGifts #ConsumerSpending

Valentine's Day spending hits record $29.1 billion as pet gifts surge: Americans plan to spend a record $199.78 per person on Valentine's gifts in 2026, with pet spending reaching $2.1 billion as consumers expand celebrations. https://ppc.land/valentines-day-spending-hits-record-29-1-billion-as-pet-gifts-surge/ #ValentinesDay #Love #GiftGiving #PetGifts #ConsumerSpending

Valentine's Day spending hits record $29.1 billion as pet gifts surge: Americans plan to spend a record $199.78 per person on Valentine's gifts in 2026, with pet spending reaching $2.1 billion as consumers expand celebrations. https://ppc.land/valentines-day-spending-hits-record-29-1-billion-as-pet-gifts-surge/ #ValentinesDay #Love #GiftGiving #PetGifts #ConsumerSpending

Một nhà phát triển đang xây dựng ứng dụng mới về danh sách quà tặng và quà nhóm! Ứng dụng này giúp bạn tránh nhức nhối khi tặng quà: không biết mua gì, trùng quà, hoặc gom tiền lúng túng. Bạn có thể tạo danh sách riêng tư/chia sẻ, tổ chức quà nhóm dễ dàng và giữ bất ngờ cho người nhận. Rất tiện lợi cho sinh nhật, lễ tết, hay tiệc mừng!

#App #Wishlist #GroupGifts #GiftGiving #Tech #Startup #ỨngDụng #DanhSáchQuà #QuàTặng #QuàNhóm #CôngNghệ

https://www.reddit.com/r/SideProject/comments/1ptqwe9/bu

We really should start asking the critical question. Not if AI can do something, but why we shouldn't let AI do something. Gift giving is about thinking of the other person, not about simply buying random stuff. Thus, outsourcing it to AI means failing.
#giftgiving #AI
https://qz.com/ai-christmas-shopping-gift-guide

We really should start asking the critical question. Not if AI can do something, but why we shouldn't let AI do something. Gift giving is about thinking of the other person, not about simply buying random stuff. Thus, outsourcing it to AI means failing.
#giftgiving #AI
https://qz.com/ai-christmas-shopping-gift-guide

We really should start asking the critical question. Not if AI can do something, but why we shouldn't let AI do something. Gift giving is about thinking of the other person, not about simply buying random stuff. Thus, outsourcing it to AI means failing.
#giftgiving #AI
https://qz.com/ai-christmas-shopping-gift-guide

We really should start asking the critical question. Not if AI can do something, but why we shouldn't let AI do something. Gift giving is about thinking of the other person, not about simply buying random stuff. Thus, outsourcing it to AI means failing.
#giftgiving #AI
https://qz.com/ai-christmas-shopping-gift-guide

We really should start asking the critical question. Not if AI can do something, but why we shouldn't let AI do something. Gift giving is about thinking of the other person, not about simply buying random stuff. Thus, outsourcing it to AI means failing.
#giftgiving #AI
https://qz.com/ai-christmas-shopping-gift-guide

Socially mandated love

“Hi!”

“AAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaa… You scared me. I did not see you there, crouching behind the couch.”

“Oh, sorry! I just wanted to surprise you on this day of celebration.”

“You’ve surprised me, so mission accomplished!”

“But that’s not all. My coworkers managed to shame me into performing socially mandated gestures to demonstrate my love for you.”

“Okay.”

“Like giving you this set of dead plants.”

“Oh, flowers. You took upon yourself to go to the florist. How thoughtful!”

“Yes. Though, I think florist is a bad name. They should be called flower undertakers.”

“The socially mandated response is to thank you. So thank you!”

“You’re welcome. Here is a card for you. Open it.”

“Give me a second.”

“None of the cards at the store conveyed the exact message I had in mind. So I edited the message.”

“I see that. How thoughtful! Crossing out the word ‘forever’ is quite sensible.”

“Yes. At best, once I’m dead, I won’t be able to love you. Why make promises I cannot possibly keep?”

“I also like how you scribbled in the words ‘froggy-style’.”

“What? Froggy-style? Er… no… it is ‘doggy-style’.”

“Oh… right. Your handwriting is terrible.”

“Yes. It is. I also have this gift for you.”

“Wow! That’s a big box.”

“Open it.”

“Give me a week! Haha!”

[Five minutes later.]

“Did you find it?”

“I think I did. It is a wad of $20 bills, like I’m a pole dancer or some such.”

“This way you can get whatever you want. However, my coworkers chided me, saying money is not a thoughtful gift.”

“This is surely more thoughtful than the coffee machine my parents gave me.”

“Oh… yeah…. with your difficulty processing caffeine.”

“It gives me hives. Not only that, but they keep forgetting that they gave me a coffee machine already, and they give me that gift every year.”

“At least money never becomes useless, even if you get it repeatedly.”

“I’m sorry, but I have nothing for you. I do love you too, but I am aromantic.”

“Oh, the enjoyment of your presence is quite enough gift for me. Come to think of it… I think I might be aromantic too. The whole thing felt rather unnatural to me.”

#TheDailyIsotope #AutisticWriters #ActuallyAutistic #aromantic #GiftGiving #society

Socially mandated love

“Hi!”

“AAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaa… You scared me. I did not see you there, crouching behind the couch.”

“Oh, sorry! I just wanted to surprise you on this day of celebration.”

“You’ve surprised me, so mission accomplished!”

“But that’s not all. My coworkers managed to shame me into performing socially mandated gestures to demonstrate my love for you.”

“Okay.”

“Like giving you this set of dead plants.”

“Oh, flowers. You took upon yourself to go to the florist. How thoughtful!”

“Yes. Though, I think florist is a bad name. They should be called flower undertakers.”

“The socially mandated response is to thank you. So thank you!”

“You’re welcome. Here is a card for you. Open it.”

“Give me a second.”

“None of the cards at the store conveyed the exact message I had in mind. So I edited the message.”

“I see that. How thoughtful! Crossing out the word ‘forever’ is quite sensible.”

“Yes. At best, once I’m dead, I won’t be able to love you. Why make promises I cannot possibly keep?”

“I also like how you scribbled in the words ‘froggy-style’.”

“What? Froggy-style? Er… no… it is ‘doggy-style’.”

“Oh… right. Your handwriting is terrible.”

“Yes. It is. I also have this gift for you.”

“Wow! That’s a big box.”

“Open it.”

“Give me a week! Haha!”

[Five minutes later.]

“Did you find it?”

“I think I did. It is a wad of $20 bills, like I’m a pole dancer or some such.”

“This way you can get whatever you want. However, my coworkers chided me, saying money is not a thoughtful gift.”

“This is surely more thoughtful than the coffee machine my parents gave me.”

“Oh… yeah…. with your difficulty processing caffeine.”

“It gives me hives. Not only that, but they keep forgetting that they gave me a coffee machine already, and they give me that gift every year.”

“At least money never becomes useless, even if you get it repeatedly.”

“I’m sorry, but I have nothing for you. I do love you too, but I am aromantic.”

“Oh, the enjoyment of your presence is quite enough gift for me. Come to think of it… I think I might be aromantic too. The whole thing felt rather unnatural to me.”

#TheDailyIsotope #AutisticWriters #ActuallyAutistic #aromantic #GiftGiving #society

Socially mandated love

“Hi!”

“AAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaa… You scared me. I did not see you there, crouching behind the couch.”

“Oh, sorry! I just wanted to surprise you on this day of celebration.”

“You’ve surprised me, so mission accomplished!”

“But that’s not all. My coworkers managed to shame me into performing socially mandated gestures to demonstrate my love for you.”

“Okay.”

“Like giving you this set of dead plants.”

“Oh, flowers. You took upon yourself to go to the florist. How thoughtful!”

“Yes. Though, I think florist is a bad name. They should be called flower undertakers.”

“The socially mandated response is to thank you. So thank you!”

“You’re welcome. Here is a card for you. Open it.”

“Give me a second.”

“None of the cards at the store conveyed the exact message I had in mind. So I edited the message.”

“I see that. How thoughtful! Crossing out the word ‘forever’ is quite sensible.”

“Yes. At best, once I’m dead, I won’t be able to love you. Why make promises I cannot possibly keep?”

“I also like how you scribbled in the words ‘froggy-style’.”

“What? Froggy-style? Er… no… it is ‘doggy-style’.”

“Oh… right. Your handwriting is terrible.”

“Yes. It is. I also have this gift for you.”

“Wow! That’s a big box.”

“Open it.”

“Give me a week! Haha!”

[Five minutes later.]

“Did you find it?”

“I think I did. It is a wad of $20 bills, like I’m a pole dancer or some such.”

“This way you can get whatever you want. However, my coworkers chided me, saying money is not a thoughtful gift.”

“This is surely more thoughtful than the coffee machine my parents gave me.”

“Oh… yeah…. with your difficulty processing caffeine.”

“It gives me hives. Not only that, but they keep forgetting that they gave me a coffee machine already, and they give me that gift every year.”

“At least money never becomes useless, even if you get it repeatedly.”

“I’m sorry, but I have nothing for you. I do love you too, but I am aromantic.”

“Oh, the enjoyment of your presence is quite enough gift for me. Come to think of it… I think I might be aromantic too. The whole thing felt rather unnatural to me.”

#TheDailyIsotope #AutisticWriters #ActuallyAutistic #aromantic #GiftGiving #society

Socially mandated love

“Hi!”

“AAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaa… You scared me. I did not see you there, crouching behind the couch.”

“Oh, sorry! I just wanted to surprise you on this day of celebration.”

“You’ve surprised me, so mission accomplished!”

“But that’s not all. My coworkers managed to shame me into performing socially mandated gestures to demonstrate my love for you.”

“Okay.”

“Like giving you this set of dead plants.”

“Oh, flowers. You took upon yourself to go to the florist. How thoughtful!”

“Yes. Though, I think florist is a bad name. They should be called flower undertakers.”

“The socially mandated response is to thank you. So thank you!”

“You’re welcome. Here is a card for you. Open it.”

“Give me a second.”

“None of the cards at the store conveyed the exact message I had in mind. So I edited the message.”

“I see that. How thoughtful! Crossing out the word ‘forever’ is quite sensible.”

“Yes. At best, once I’m dead, I won’t be able to love you. Why make promises I cannot possibly keep?”

“I also like how you scribbled in the words ‘froggy-style’.”

“What? Froggy-style? Er… no… it is ‘doggy-style’.”

“Oh… right. Your handwriting is terrible.”

“Yes. It is. I also have this gift for you.”

“Wow! That’s a big box.”

“Open it.”

“Give me a week! Haha!”

[Five minutes later.]

“Did you find it?”

“I think I did. It is a wad of $20 bills, like I’m a pole dancer or some such.”

“This way you can get whatever you want. However, my coworkers chided me, saying money is not a thoughtful gift.”

“This is surely more thoughtful than the coffee machine my parents gave me.”

“Oh… yeah…. with your difficulty processing caffeine.”

“It gives me hives. Not only that, but they keep forgetting that they gave me a coffee machine already, and they give me that gift every year.”

“At least money never becomes useless, even if you get it repeatedly.”

“I’m sorry, but I have nothing for you. I do love you too, but I am aromantic.”

“Oh, the enjoyment of your presence is quite enough gift for me. Come to think of it… I think I might be aromantic too. The whole thing felt rather unnatural to me.”

#TheDailyIsotope #AutisticWriters #ActuallyAutistic #aromantic #GiftGiving #society

Socially mandated love

“Hi!”

“AAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaa… You scared me. I did not see you there, crouching behind the couch.”

“Oh, sorry! I just wanted to surprise you on this day of celebration.”

“You’ve surprised me, so mission accomplished!”

“But that’s not all. My coworkers managed to shame me into performing socially mandated gestures to demonstrate my love for you.”

“Okay.”

“Like giving you this set of dead plants.”

“Oh, flowers. You took upon yourself to go to the florist. How thoughtful!”

“Yes. Though, I think florist is a bad name. They should be called flower undertakers.”

“The socially mandated response is to thank you. So thank you!”

“You’re welcome. Here is a card for you. Open it.”

“Give me a second.”

“None of the cards at the store conveyed the exact message I had in mind. So I edited the message.”

“I see that. How thoughtful! Crossing out the word ‘forever’ is quite sensible.”

“Yes. At best, once I’m dead, I won’t be able to love you. Why make promises I cannot possibly keep?”

“I also like how you scribbled in the words ‘froggy-style’.”

“What? Froggy-style? Er… no… it is ‘doggy-style’.”

“Oh… right. Your handwriting is terrible.”

“Yes. It is. I also have this gift for you.”

“Wow! That’s a big box.”

“Open it.”

“Give me a week! Haha!”

[Five minutes later.]

“Did you find it?”

“I think I did. It is a wad of $20 bills, like I’m a pole dancer or some such.”

“This way you can get whatever you want. However, my coworkers chided me, saying money is not a thoughtful gift.”

“This is surely more thoughtful than the coffee machine my parents gave me.”

“Oh… yeah…. with your difficulty processing caffeine.”

“It gives me hives. Not only that, but they keep forgetting that they gave me a coffee machine already, and they give me that gift every year.”

“At least money never becomes useless, even if you get it repeatedly.”

“I’m sorry, but I have nothing for you. I do love you too, but I am aromantic.”

“Oh, the enjoyment of your presence is quite enough gift for me. Come to think of it… I think I might be aromantic too. The whole thing felt rather unnatural to me.”

#TheDailyIsotope #AutisticWriters #ActuallyAutistic #aromantic #GiftGiving #society

https://www.landingstream.com
Make gift-giving extra magical 🎄🎁
#ChristmasSeason #ChristmasGifts #GiftWrapping #DrawstringGiftBags #ChristmasBags #HolidayGifting #FestivePackaging #ChristmasJoy #XmasGifts #HolidayDecor #GiftIdeas #MerryAndBright #ChristmasMagic #ReusableGiftBags #EcoFriendlyGifts #HolidayCheer #FestiveSeason #ChristmasReady #NoelVibes #SeasonalStyle #GiftGiving #ChristmasSurprises #HolidayPrep #FestiveDetails #ChristmasInspo #WrappedWithLove #JoyfulMoments #ChristmasEssentials

Big shop update! Multiple new zines! Check out all my latest zine work at www.ovaettr.gay/shop

Come see us at the HOLIDAY MARKET at the Denton Maker Center (728 N. Elm St. Denton TX) on THIS Sunday 11/23 2PM - 5PM RAIN OR SHINE! We'll be dry under a tent, come snag some wonderful gifts for your family and friends by local artisans!

#art #DentonTX #zines #zinester #MakingZines #HolidayMarket #Dentoning #GiftGiving #analog #DIY #AlternativeGifts

Big shop update! Multiple new zines! Check out all my latest zine work at www.ovaettr.gay/shop

Come see us at the HOLIDAY MARKET at the Denton Maker Center (728 N. Elm St. Denton TX) on THIS Sunday 11/23 2PM - 5PM RAIN OR SHINE! We'll be dry under a tent, come snag some wonderful gifts for your family and friends by local artisans!

#art #DentonTX #zines #zinester #MakingZines #HolidayMarket #Dentoning #GiftGiving #analog #DIY #AlternativeGifts

"Giải pháp cho việc mua quà trùng lặp! Krengl.com giúp bạn quản lý danh sách mong muốn của gia đình mà không sợ người nhận biết. Tính năng nổi bật: quản lý thành viên nhóm, thêm quà bất ngờ, tự động điền thông tin khi thêm sản phẩm. Miễn phí và đang tìm người dùng thử nghiệm! #Krengl #QuàTặng #CôngNghệ #GiftGiving #SideProject"

https://www.reddit.com/r/SideProject/comments/1owe4tn/i_solved_my_familys_real_giftgiving_problem_just/

what types of presents do u like to buy pretty girls? i need to update my throne 🥰🖤

what types of presents do u like to buy pretty girls? i need to update my throne 🥰🖤

what types of presents do u like to buy pretty girls? i need to update my throne 🥰🖤

what types of presents do u like to buy pretty girls? i need to update my throne 🥰🖤

what types of presents do u like to buy pretty girls? i need to update my throne 🥰🖤

Creative Strategies for Promoting Your Book Around Non-Traditional Holidays

…
https://www.ingramspark.com/blog/creative-strategies-for-promoting-your-book-around-non-traditional-holidays

#BookMarketingandPromotions #ReachingMoreReaders #SelfPublishing #Giftgiving
@indieauthors

Creative Strategies for Promoting Your Book Around Non-Traditional Holidays

…
https://www.ingramspark.com/blog/creative-strategies-for-promoting-your-book-around-non-traditional-holidays

#BookMarketingandPromotions #ReachingMoreReaders #SelfPublishing #Giftgiving
@indieauthors

Creative Strategies for Promoting Your Book Around Non-Traditional Holidays

…
https://www.ingramspark.com/blog/creative-strategies-for-promoting-your-book-around-non-traditional-holidays

#BookMarketingandPromotions #ReachingMoreReaders #SelfPublishing #Giftgiving
@indieauthors

Creative Strategies for Promoting Your Book Around Non-Traditional Holidays

…
https://www.ingramspark.com/blog/creative-strategies-for-promoting-your-book-around-non-traditional-holidays

#BookMarketingandPromotions #ReachingMoreReaders #SelfPublishing #Giftgiving
@indieauthors

Gift Giving: A Minefield

I’m both a bad giver and a bad receiver of gifts, according to society, at any rate.

Gift giving is a minefield for most autistic folks. It definitely is one for me. Since Valentine’s Day is upon us, here’s a reflection on why most options are terrible. In no specific order,

1. Money? I was taught that giving money is rather gauche. I have to agree. You can discharge yourself of a gift obligation by giving money to anyone. It does not show much thought about the recipient of the gift. I’d rather not give money.
2. Greeting cards? A lot of them talk about forever love, and I have trouble with the word forever. This was true even when I was with my ex-wife. I sometimes bought cards containing the word. I had to editorialize when I gave my card. However, I prefer to skip cards altogether.

   As you probably guessed, the cards’ declarations of forever love to my ex-wife did not pan out. We’re now divorced. *Cough*

3. Flowers? Yay, let’s kill plants for our pleasure!
4. Fashion (like jewelry, clothing, accessories, etc.)? I need to know what size the gift recipient wears, for one thing. Moreover, my sense of style isn’t great. So, no.
5. Gadgets? Oof! Welcome to landmine central. If you get me a gadget, chances are that you are going to miss. I am likely to know more than you about those gadgets that I’d like to own. Moreover, if you get me a gadget, I’m going to compare it to similar gadgets I already have, and to similar gadgets I might want to own. I’ll most likely find the gadget you got me to be lacking. This is a losing proposition for you.

   Conversely, imagine people I’d give a gadget to doing the same thing as I described above. They’ll find the gadget I got them to be lacking in some way. Note that it does not matter if they actually do this or not. I become an anxious mess. Did I pick up the optimal gift? Most likely not. This is a losing proposition for me.

   Of course, it is considered gauche to tell the person who wishes to give you a gift what exactly they should get. However, I’ve sometimes resorted to this stratagem.

6. Food? This is the best option of the bunch. Food is ephemeral. If the gift is lacking, the recipient at least won’t be stuck with it for long.

A great part of the problem with gift giving are all the societal expectations that shape the practice. If you do not conform to those societal expectations, well, good luck not getting flack.

My boyfriend and I are keeping it simple this year. I got him some chocolate. We’re going to a restaurant. I know he has something for me, but he does not have it in hand yet. No biggie. I know society would look disapprovingly upon his tardiness, but society can take a hike.

#ActuallyAutistic #autism #autistic #AutisticWriters #GiftGiving #gifts #YourAutisticLife

Gift Giving: A Minefield

I’m both a bad giver and a bad receiver of gifts, according to society, at any rate.

Gift giving is a minefield for most autistic folks. It definitely is one for me. Since Valentine’s Day is upon us, here’s a reflection on why most options are terrible. In no specific order,

1. Money? I was taught that giving money is rather gauche. I have to agree. You can discharge yourself of a gift obligation by giving money to anyone. It does not show much thought about the recipient of the gift. I’d rather not give money.
2. Greeting cards? A lot of them talk about forever love, and I have trouble with the word forever. This was true even when I was with my ex-wife. I sometimes bought cards containing the word. I had to editorialize when I gave my card. However, I prefer to skip cards altogether.

   As you probably guessed, the cards’ declarations of forever love to my ex-wife did not pan out. We’re now divorced. *Cough*

3. Flowers? Yay, let’s kill plants for our pleasure!
4. Fashion (like jewelry, clothing, accessories, etc.)? I need to know what size the gift recipient wears, for one thing. Moreover, my sense of style isn’t great. So, no.
5. Gadgets? Oof! Welcome to landmine central. If you get me a gadget, chances are that you are going to miss. I am likely to know more than you about those gadgets that I’d like to own. Moreover, if you get me a gadget, I’m going to compare it to similar gadgets I already have, and to similar gadgets I might want to own. I’ll most likely find the gadget you got me to be lacking. This is a losing proposition for you.

   Conversely, imagine people I’d give a gadget to doing the same thing as I described above. They’ll find the gadget I got them to be lacking in some way. Note that it does not matter if they actually do this or not. I become an anxious mess. Did I pick up the optimal gift? Most likely not. This is a losing proposition for me.

   Of course, it is considered gauche to tell the person who wishes to give you a gift what exactly they should get. However, I’ve sometimes resorted to this stratagem.

6. Food? This is the best option of the bunch. Food is ephemeral. If the gift is lacking, the recipient at least won’t be stuck with it for long.

A great part of the problem with gift giving are all the societal expectations that shape the practice. If you do not conform to those societal expectations, well, good luck not getting flack.

My boyfriend and I are keeping it simple this year. I got him some chocolate. We’re going to a restaurant. I know he has something for me, but he does not have it in hand yet. No biggie. I know society would look disapprovingly upon his tardiness, but society can take a hike.

#ActuallyAutistic #autism #autistic #AutisticWriters #GiftGiving #gifts #YourAutisticLife

Gift Giving: A Minefield

I’m both a bad giver and a bad receiver of gifts, according to society, at any rate.

Gift giving is a minefield for most autistic folks. It definitely is one for me. Since Valentine’s Day is upon us, here’s a reflection on why most options are terrible. In no specific order,

1. Money? I was taught that giving money is rather gauche. I have to agree. You can discharge yourself of a gift obligation by giving money to anyone. It does not show much thought about the recipient of the gift. I’d rather not give money.
2. Greeting cards? A lot of them talk about forever love, and I have trouble with the word forever. This was true even when I was with my ex-wife. I sometimes bought cards containing the word. I had to editorialize when I gave my card. However, I prefer to skip cards altogether.

   As you probably guessed, the cards’ declarations of forever love to my ex-wife did not pan out. We’re now divorced. *Cough*

3. Flowers? Yay, let’s kill plants for our pleasure!
4. Fashion (like jewelry, clothing, accessories, etc.)? I need to know what size the gift recipient wears, for one thing. Moreover, my sense of style isn’t great. So, no.
5. Gadgets? Oof! Welcome to landmine central. If you get me a gadget, chances are that you are going to miss. I am likely to know more than you about those gadgets that I’d like to own. Moreover, if you get me a gadget, I’m going to compare it to similar gadgets I already have, and to similar gadgets I might want to own. I’ll most likely find the gadget you got me to be lacking. This is a losing proposition for you.

   Conversely, imagine people I’d give a gadget to doing the same thing as I described above. They’ll find the gadget I got them to be lacking in some way. Note that it does not matter if they actually do this or not. I become an anxious mess. Did I pick up the optimal gift? Most likely not. This is a losing proposition for me.

   Of course, it is considered gauche to tell the person who wishes to give you a gift what exactly they should get. However, I’ve sometimes resorted to this stratagem.

6. Food? This is the best option of the bunch. Food is ephemeral. If the gift is lacking, the recipient at least won’t be stuck with it for long.

A great part of the problem with gift giving are all the societal expectations that shape the practice. If you do not conform to those societal expectations, well, good luck not getting flack.

My boyfriend and I are keeping it simple this year. I got him some chocolate. We’re going to a restaurant. I know he has something for me, but he does not have it in hand yet. No biggie. I know society would look disapprovingly upon his tardiness, but society can take a hike.

#ActuallyAutistic #autism #autistic #AutisticWriters #GiftGiving #gifts #YourAutisticLife

Gift Giving: A Minefield

I’m both a bad giver and a bad receiver of gifts, according to society, at any rate.

Gift giving is a minefield for most autistic folks. It definitely is one for me. Since Valentine’s Day is upon us, here’s a reflection on why most options are terrible. In no specific order,

1. Money? I was taught that giving money is rather gauche. I have to agree. You can discharge yourself of a gift obligation by giving money to anyone. It does not show much thought about the recipient of the gift. I’d rather not give money.
2. Greeting cards? A lot of them talk about forever love, and I have trouble with the word forever. This was true even when I was with my ex-wife. I sometimes bought cards containing the word. I had to editorialize when I gave my card. However, I prefer to skip cards altogether.

   As you probably guessed, the cards’ declarations of forever love to my ex-wife did not pan out. We’re now divorced. *Cough*

3. Flowers? Yay, let’s kill plants for our pleasure!
4. Fashion (like jewelry, clothing, accessories, etc.)? I need to know what size the gift recipient wears, for one thing. Moreover, my sense of style isn’t great. So, no.
5. Gadgets? Oof! Welcome to landmine central. If you get me a gadget, chances are that you are going to miss. I am likely to know more than you about those gadgets that I’d like to own. Moreover, if you get me a gadget, I’m going to compare it to similar gadgets I already have, and to similar gadgets I might want to own. I’ll most likely find the gadget you got me to be lacking. This is a losing proposition for you.

   Conversely, imagine people I’d give a gadget to doing the same thing as I described above. They’ll find the gadget I got them to be lacking in some way. Note that it does not matter if they actually do this or not. I become an anxious mess. Did I pick up the optimal gift? Most likely not. This is a losing proposition for me.

   Of course, it is considered gauche to tell the person who wishes to give you a gift what exactly they should get. However, I’ve sometimes resorted to this stratagem.

6. Food? This is the best option of the bunch. Food is ephemeral. If the gift is lacking, the recipient at least won’t be stuck with it for long.

A great part of the problem with gift giving are all the societal expectations that shape the practice. If you do not conform to those societal expectations, well, good luck not getting flack.

My boyfriend and I are keeping it simple this year. I got him some chocolate. We’re going to a restaurant. I know he has something for me, but he does not have it in hand yet. No biggie. I know society would look disapprovingly upon his tardiness, but society can take a hike.

#ActuallyAutistic #autism #autistic #AutisticWriters #GiftGiving #gifts #YourAutisticLife

@cbcnews

A very timely offering from young artists at a gallery in Toronto - The Museum of Bad Gifts.

Inappropriate for the recipient or, just inappropriate?

Who would give or want a wine bottle crafted from a hoof?

CBC Toronto has coverage and it’s worth following the link ⬆️⬆️⬆️

#Toronto #CBC #FoundArt #YoungArtists #BadGifts #Gifts
#Giving #GiftGiving #Christmas #Weird
#GiftsThatNeverShouldBeGifted

@cbcnews

A very timely offering from young artists at a gallery in Toronto - The Museum of Bad Gifts.

Inappropriate for the recipient or, just inappropriate?

Who would give or want a wine bottle crafted from a hoof?

CBC Toronto has coverage and it’s worth following the link ⬆️⬆️⬆️

#Toronto #CBC #FoundArt #YoungArtists #BadGifts #Gifts
#Giving #GiftGiving #Christmas #Weird
#GiftsThatNeverShouldBeGifted