Imposing Tastes

I was once told that when shopping for presents, you should pick something you would like, in case the gift makes its rounds and ends up regifted to you. The implied thought is that the person purchasing the gifts has superior taste, and therefore anything they pick will be liked by all. If I did this, everyone I know and love would get kittens for Christmas. (Heavily laden with sarcasm.)

I think there is something to buying something you'd like, but more important to buy something your friend/dad/cousin/mob boss will like as well.

This year, I'm going with a theme for my gifts: Books. This would be simple if I let myself buy all the books I love. But I've applied rules to my present buying. One, it cannot be a book I just "like." Which ruled out all C.S. Lewis and Jane Austen. Second, it cannot be something I desperately want to read. Three, it has to be a book I really think the other person would enjoy, i.e., an interest of theirs, their favorite author/poet, even (don't fret Julie) cheesy novels. My final rule is really to protect my bank account: I must refrain from purchasing more than one book for myself per trip to the bookstore. This is the hardest rule to keep, and I must be careful not to justify excessive trips to Barnes and Noble.

Out of practical concerns, I also have to take into consideration that most of these presents will be shipped to Missouri, California and Illinois, so size and cover are factors. Actually, on Tuesday, I'll be shoving the four books for my family in Cali into my suitcase, and dragging them with me for Thanksgiving so my parents can keep them for a few weeks (and I don't have to mail them later).

I've already broken rules two and (inadvertently) four. I bought a book that V recommended (and thus I wanted to peruse) for my Dad. He decided he just wants the latest Harry Potter (hum).

So, I guess it pays to buy presents you like after all!