When people say “Don’t get me anything,” it’s best to pay no attention. They’ll say “I have everything I need,” but that doesn’t rule out wish fulfillment. And it helps if we’re mind readers about what they’d really like, if only they’d say so.
I’m going to a birthday party for a man who’s 85 years old today. Getting a gift for him takes more than a little thought. After we’ve lived a certain number of years, most of us feel we own enough things. In fact, we’ve started giving things away.
It’s much easier to shop for younger people. They really do need things and then they want so many things, there’s a world of gadgets they feel they can’t live without.
My birthday friend says “Don’t get me anything. I don’t need a thing.” But I think when someone says that, he’d still like to be surprised with a little something. So I’m paying no attention and giving him a gift anyway. Sounds simple enough – but it’s not, because he really does have everything he wants and duplicates of everything he needs.
Over these past few birthdays I’ve about used up every creative notion about gifts for him. Someone suggested “a gift of time” and last year I spent an afternoon with him over coffee and sweets I baked myself. But this year’s a big number with a big party and I don’t want to arrive empty-handed.
I finally settled on the one thing that he uses every day – music. He plays music at the top volume of his Bose extra-special CD player that his daughter insisted he buy. So I got him a CD. Oh – and one of those cushioned “kitchen slice” rugs to put in front of the stove. He didn’t say he needs one, but I think he does.
Thanks to his grandson, who got him a DVD player and installed it, I’ve got a head start on gift ideas for Christmas.
Ó Anita Garner 2009
From the funniest show on television in the past many years (trust me, it relates to this blog!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlhHTdDqoBc&feature=PlayList&p=0FD522F31EC9D57D&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=6
Agreed! I love Big Bang Theory. Wouldn’t miss it.
Well, being a classic “guy” … sometimes these kinds of situations are a bit dicey to deal with and even dicier to figure out. Having said that, there’s a couple things I’ve learned: (a) Giving a gift that slices, chops and straightens cheese and (b) quickly converts to a handy hedge trimmer and mini barber tool may be a bad idea. Also, if it sounded good on the infomercial, avoid the suggestion that … “it makes a perfect gift.” By party time, The Best of Slim Whitman c.d. package could take an ugly turn. Especially if the friend in question leans toward Sinatra and … The Beach Boys.
Don’t thank me. “The pioneers always take the arrows.”
Wait, don’t go! You haven’t told us what kind of music you bought him! I’m dying to know if he’s a ragtime lover or swoons over Doris Day? Does he love the Sons of the Pioneers and their ilk exclusively or does he secretly love to throw a little Tiffany and Lady Gaga into the mix?
Music from a Southern-Gospel-boogie-woogie pianist Anthony Burger (RIP) and violinist Andre Rieu. The birthday boy has eclectic tastes.