Wish lists

[jay]

I haven't started Christmas shopping yet... haven't even thought about it. Conversely, I'm being bugged by several people (on LJ and off) for gift ideas as far as I'm concerned. I haven't thought much about that, either... there isn't much that I want, at least not in terms of material goods. I have the bottom levels of Maslow's hierarchy covered, already... broader, more significant things (a change in US politics, world peace, healing a sick relative) aren't gift-able.

I have problems in recent years in not viewing the entire season as just an excuse to spend money in support of business and our capitalist society, not much different than if I'd spent $1K on auto repairs. Whatever religious or spiritual significance it contains seems swallowed in secularly-desperate spend-spend-spend hype.



Nonethe less, for those souls that feel obliged to send me a seasonal gift, here are a few ideas... tending toward the trivial (underwear), or things that are too large (luggage).

Donation in my name to a charity, as long as it is one that I'd otherwise support (Second Harvest Food Bank, yes, NRA Legal Defense Fund, no...)

3-pack of grey or white Land's End men's briefs
3-pack of navy or grey Land's End casual cotton socks, medium
Pair of heavy wool hiking-quality socks
Reasonable-quality sealing earphones (inserted type, not headpiece) with some kind of compact or case (James has trashed mine)
Blue Bausch and Lomb contact lens case

Books about activities that the giver would like to share/pursue with me (wink)
Latest Eichler Homes book, released in November
Latest Honor Harrington book by David Weber, with the enclosed CD
Latest Great Big Sea CD
CD of Sousa or other classical marches (stress music ;-).
RHPS soundtrack

Black and Decker charger for VersaPak battery system (for power tools)
A digital camera with USB support and zoom
27"x1-1/8" gumwall bike tire
A Travelpro 26" Rollaboard carry-on, in black nylon
Dremel accessories and attachments, in general
Quicken 2003 (Mac OS X version)
Leather or other fun clothing items, except jackets (I don't need any ordinary outer clothes... )
Thought-provoking art prints or a poster

Assorted hot sauces, habanero or better...
A copper-bottomed (Revereware, etc.) saucepan or skillet
A quirky or weird mug or coffee cup

Measurements: men's M shirts/jackets; pants are 34" waist, 29" inseam; shirts are 16.5 neck with 31" sleeves; shoes are 9.5D, hats 7 5/8 (XL). I could also use a new bike helmet...



I feel a bit silly listing things, a bit like I'm selling-out to the dominant paradigm.(wry smile), but if nothing else it provides a glimpse of my marginal priorities and interests at this moment...

Comments

[geekchick]

THANK YOU! ;)

Honestly, this is the year of "I can't come up with a single good idea for anybody", so when I asked if there was anything you'd like it was mostly to give me ideas as a starting point. (Well, I did have one good idea, and I showed you a link to that one some weeks back. *grin*) I'm also a little hampered by not knowing what you already have. Normally I like to buy people little gifts throughout the year, and not feel like my gift-giving should be confined to birthdays and December, but I also like to give winter holiday gifts too. I do not expect to receive any (and am always pleased and surprised when I do), but I really get a lot of joy out of giving them. So look at it this way: by allowing me to give you a gift, you're giving me one in return. =

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

(grin) thanks for the rationalization fodder on my part....

[geekchick]

Figured it couldn't hurt... ;)

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

You're asking for underwear on the internet? That's lovely :-)))

I think our winter gift to you might well arrive in February, if that's OK?

G has long since taken to calling the winter holidays, "The Festival of Acquisition", and the statistics which I've seen suggest that some sections of the retail industry only go into profit because of this time of year. I know it's fashionable to point out that not buying that ugly knick-knack for someone who doesn't want it, won't feed the starving in Africa ... but donating all the money to the right charity just might help, or you could buy FairTrade goods as gifts instead.

So, I'm going to celebrate the winter solstice by acquiring as little new stuff as possible - which also makes sense as someone who hopes to be moving house before the spring equinox...

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

You're asking for underwear on the internet? That's lovely :-)))

Not only underwear, but boring grey cotton briefs (grin)... actually, except for the entertainment items, the listed things are all items that I'd probably obtain in the near future in any case. As far as gift-giving goes, one of mine was a directed charitable donation this year... and patgreene made a batch of baked goods and chocolate truffles to give away, using only fair trade chocolate and cocoa :-).

You're moving? I had missed that, previously...

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

Job considerations now mean that the only think keeping us in our present location is our lovely house. Finding a suitable replacement in a more convenient location is proving time-consuming, but the plan is to move ASAP, yes. G might even be able to get home at nights for the first time ever...