Buying gifts for others based on what I'd like
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (342175)
Rockingham, Australia
May 1, 2018 6:58am CST
As I’ve aged, I’ve worked out a few things along the way. One is that, if I’m not careful, I buy gifts that I’d like rather than focussing on what the recipient might like. I love books but I’m sure from time to time I’ve bought books for people who really have little interest in reading.
I know I’m not the only one who does this as Vince once bought me a set of carpet bowls. I’d never expressed a wish for these but he had. So I’m wondering if other people find that their choice of gift is influenced by their own preferences.
The other thing I’ve done is bought a gift that is something I would really like for myself but is a bit too expensive. But I buy it anyway and justify the expense by giving it to someone. Somehow this satisfies my need for it. It usually involves a horse ornament or book which I’ll give to my sister. That way I’ll be lent the book to read later or I enjoy the ornament when I visit.
The photo is of my sister, brother and a school-friend on Shirley’s school pony, Silver. A ‘school pony’ was one which was ridden to school each day before school buses became commonplace. My sister in at the front.
23 people like this
26 responses
@vandana7 (100604)
• India
1 May 18
This is one of the two reasons I do not like giving or receiving gifts. Gifts should be based on the person's liking and NEEDS and which the person is telling himself or herself "oh it is too expensive, I can live without it". I opt for giving cash. If I can't buy the person what he or she needs, at least, he or she can combine the cash with other cash gifts, to buy exactly what he or she desired.
7 people like this
@vandana7 (100604)
• India
1 May 18
@Icydoll It is the best. What happens is we may based on our contact levels, decide this is the budget for this person.
Now, we go about shopping based on that budget. We may even buy something that we don't like, and the other person does not like or need. Effectively, that is waste gift. But the person to whom we gifted has to return gift sometime. He or she does the same!!!
What are we doing here? We are creating erratic demand for things that nobody really wants!!! So some people get employed, for a while, to make those unwanted things, and when the demand is not sufficient, they get thrown from the jobs.
If we were not to create such a demand, in the first place, resources would go to the right places, and everything would remain affordable.
Whoever created the present gift system needed his brain screw tightened.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 18
I think money is the best too really but then you have to decide how much and that becomes a problem. Maybe we should just scrap gifts. With our older friends, an invitation to celebrate a birthday might include the words 'no gifts please' which makes it easy.
1 person likes this
@porwest (92624)
• United States
1 May 18
I can't imagine riding a horse to school. But hey, however you have to get there right? As for gift buying I try to think of what the person might like. It's hard to do. Even if you think you really know someone. If all else fails they get a gift card.
4 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
1 May 18
I often get people books and films that I have enjoyed myself
4 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
2 May 18
@JudyEv yes, I often watch movies or read books thinking which friends might also enjoy them
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
1 May 18
what a pretty pony (even if it's black and white). so 3 is the maximum children it can carry, or depends on the height and weight?
some people are easy to buy gifts for, and i usually get it right. some i resort to cash.
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
2 May 18
@JudyEv oh, that's what people here also do on motorcycles, tricycles and jeepneys! but, wow, that is one mighty strong horse!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 May 18
@hereandthere We saw whole families on bikes in Thailand. Once I think there were four on the bike and a baby being carried to the side in a bucket! 
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 18
They probably stood the pony next to a log or something to make it easier or they stood on an upturned bucket.
@allknowing (137822)
• India
2 May 18
I must be honest here. I have always thought of what the recipient would be interested in pr would need. .To give you an example I gave my sister (years ago) a tea set as I noticed what she had was time for her to consign to the dust bin (lol)
1 person likes this
I said it was time for her to consign HER tea set to the bin
@toniganzon (72532)
• Philippines
1 May 18
Sometimes especially when it's a gift I'd give to someone I personally don't know but just have to give a present. But if it's someone that I know, I would usually buy things that I think they'd like. But for my nephews and nieces, I'd buy things that I believe I would like and they would like.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72532)
• Philippines
2 May 18
@JudyEv That's true. I always try to keep up with what's in with the young ones. I don't want to be left behind. 
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 May 18
I find buying for young people hard. I'm out of touch with all the fads and fashions and some are very particular about what they like and don't like.
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 May 18
@toniganzon I'm too old now to ever catch up but it is different for you. It's a good idea to at least try to keep in touch with what is 'hip'.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317238)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
1 May 18
The things I bought, I often found I liked them, and thought they would too, so yes, I've done it. Then there are those things I bought based on what they liked, or thought they would like, but knew I didn't like them. Mostly because I didn't have an interest in the activity, but knew they did.
A school pony is an interesting way to get to school.
1 person likes this
@Plethos (13581)
• United States
2 May 18
@JudyEv - i dont wear jocks 
so no worries there . and socks, no one ever sees mine anyways, i always wear pants.i mostly get starbucks gift cards, or something to do with my love for comic book related collectibles, hot wheels and my sports teams
so no worries there . and socks, no one ever sees mine anyways, i always wear pants.i mostly get starbucks gift cards, or something to do with my love for comic book related collectibles, hot wheels and my sports teams1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
1 May 18
I usually give a simple gift, an accessory or anything that they can use on a daily basis. 
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
1 May 18
@JudyEv Thank you, Judy. Nowadays, it is better to give something that we can really use rather than something expensive but only for display or can be use for a short time.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (108196)
• Marion, Ohio
1 May 18
I try to learn what the person likes but it is easy to say that would be nice when it is something you like
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (83103)
• United States
1 May 18
Thats a great photo and cute that all three kids rode the pony to school.
I do tend to buy gifts with the person in mind but also what I'd like. My Aunt has a birthday in June and I saw this really pretty necklace so I bought it for her. I don't know if she even wears this type of jewelry but I hope she likes it cause I did
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 May 18
Once again I've confused you. Only my sister rode the pony. My brother rode a bike. They all piled on the pony just for the photo.
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
1 May 18
That is a fine looking horse and kids too. The people I buy for are a tough bunch. All my daughter ever wants is another Chihuahua. With Anne, we usually go out to a nice dinner or to the coast.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 May 18
We might celebrate with a meal too. There is little that we need now and it's pretty pointless buying stuff we don't need. Maybe you can buy coats for the Chihuahua. Every little dog needs a wardrobe.
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
1 May 18
I think we are all guilty of that. We have our own filter of what might be an appropriate gift. I often give quilts....I try to choose something that reflects the recipients tastes and needs....but some languish in closets or become dog blankets. This is disappointing of course...but not everyone loves quilts.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
2 May 18
@JudyEv very nice. There are some who have no appreciation of the time and work that goes into making a quilt.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (20039)
• United States
1 May 18
I do know what my best friend likes so I do buy what she likes. She likes butterflies,Marylin Monroe, and the color purple. Buying for my fiance is harder though.
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26776)
• Singapore
1 May 18
I do not often get gifts and, likewise, do not give too.
My wife does often and we have a lot of those that we do not know what to do.
Normally they are recycled - we get from some and we give to others!
They can end up going back to the one who started the ball rolling!
Nice photo - window to the throwback days! siva
1 person likes this
