Tuesday, November 24, 2009

the combo gift.

I think just about every year I go off on this annoying little tangent about the "combo gift". Anyone who has a birthday in December knows exactly what I mean.
And if you don't prepared to get schooled, yo.

I don't know when this began or who's idea it was originally. Maybe it started during the Great Depression or better yet, during the recession of the 80s. But it's alive and well and if you're guilty of contributing to the "combo gift" shame on you.

By definition it is the representation of one gift equaling two gifts. And if you're Jewish, sometimes it could even be the representation of one gifts equaling THREE gifts. Oh gosh the thought of that just made me dizzy. phew.

When I was 10 my mom asked me what I wanted for my birthday. At that time my ultimate favorite color was purple and it was awesome. Hey it was 1988.
So, I told my mom that I wanted a purple sweater. A nice, warm, comfy purple sweater that I could show off at school and wear with my "Get Used" jeans and purple high top Filas. And so, I got my purple sweater and man I was happy. Because she asked me what I wanted for my birthday and also? I got a sprinkly strawberry with white frosting cake that year.
The point is- if you know someone who has a December birthday please be kind to them. If you can't get them a separate gift for the holidays and their birthday just don't worry about it. Pick one and stick with it. But please oh please don't hand a gift with the card or tag shouting "HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!". It'll make them cry. And then? they'll probably hate you afterward.

My birthday is on the 30th and James is on the 10th. I made a pledge to myself that I would never ever ever ever do that to him. We separate his birthday from the holiday season. I may use holiday cupcake wrappers for his birthday cupcakes, but that's as far as I go.
I think the "combo gift" is way worse than re-gifting.
Or wait a re-gifted combo gift could be even worse. Oh gosh now I have a headache.


3 comments:

Paula71 said...

My Birthday is on Dec.28. I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. I feel the pain.

the nervous mom said...

oh gosh yeah you DO know!!!
I can't remember which one, but apparently there is a radio station our here in Denver that celebrates all December birthdays. I'm not sure what they give away or whatnot. I just thought that was pretty cool. lol

Chicke3 said...

My Birthday is also December 28th and my parents also made sure to seperate my birthday from the holidays, I had aunts and uncles try to give me my presents on Christmas day and my parents would say thank you but today is not her birthday she will open it in 3 days....which I thought was awesome! The best part about having a December birthday....having more presents under the tree then you sister does by new years day! You can tell James that one if he every gets down about having a December birthday!