A while back, I wrote a series about gift-giving, and some characteristics to consider about the gift-receiver as we began the holiday season. I called them “Gift-Receiver Templates” (I’ll put links to the articles at the end, if you’re interested.) Well. Let’s put this anecdote into the “I should have known better” category, shall we?Continue reading “Gift Giving Gone Awry”
Tag Archives: Gift Giving
Furoshiki and me
In my attempts to do something a little bit differently and a little bit more sustainably this year, I have decided to try my hand at furoshiki, that is, the Japanese art of wrapping gifts in reusable or recycled textile wrappings. My interest in the subject was sparked by Marie Kondo, who last year hadContinue reading “Furoshiki and me”
The Sticky Issues of Gift Giving: Staying Emotionally Detached
This is, mercifully for you, going to be my last word on the sticky issues of Gift Giving. (Ah, never fear: the promised furoshiki crafting episode is to follow. I would never leave you hanging like that!) My last word is this: sometimes, there is simply no way to please someone. Sometimes, no matter howContinue reading “The Sticky Issues of Gift Giving: Staying Emotionally Detached”
The Sticky Issues of Gift Giving Part Two: Wrapping
My favorite part about Christmas Do you know what my favorite part of Christmas is? Wrapping gifts. There, I said it. Your opinion of me, over the last 330 articles has been forged through subtle hints at my insanity. Now, I have come out and admitted it: I am verifiably nuts. That’s right, my favoriteContinue reading “The Sticky Issues of Gift Giving Part Two: Wrapping”
The Sticky Issues of Gift Giving Part One: Cash and Gift Cards
Salary negotiations, calculating who owes what on a group check at a restaurant, paying a babysitter, price haggling. If you are anything like me–and if you have found Lily Fields Challenge, it’s probably because you are!–you do not love talking about money either. It’s a horribly uncomfortable topic, and I really wish I could putContinue reading “The Sticky Issues of Gift Giving Part One: Cash and Gift Cards”
The Gift-Receiver Templates Part Four: Surprise or Anticipation
This template is less about the gift itself as it is about how the receiver perceives the importance of knowing. Some people love to percolate in the mystery and magic of wondering what is going to be under the tree. These people are the ones who will not try, even once they have a giftContinue reading “The Gift-Receiver Templates Part Four: Surprise or Anticipation”
The Gift-Receiver Templates Part Three: Sentimental and Practical
While these may seem like obvious distinctions, I still want us to do the exercise of thinking about the experience the sentimental and practical people on our lists most enjoy. Remember, we are wanting to become students of the people we love, so we can better speak their love languages. By identifying their specific way–orContinue reading “The Gift-Receiver Templates Part Three: Sentimental and Practical”
The Gift-Receiver Templates Part Two: Quantity vs. Quality
I want you to imagine something for a second: You are ten years old. It’s Christmas morning. You tiptoe out of your room to check out what magic happened over night (even though you don’t really still believe in all that hocus-pocus, you are still hedging your bets.) In scenario one, there are dozens ofContinue reading “The Gift-Receiver Templates Part Two: Quantity vs. Quality”
The Gift-Receiver Templates Part One: The Troublemakers
Part one: The Troublemakers Your homework over the last few days has been to make a list of the special people in your life to whom you give gifts during the holiday season. I also asked you add the people you sometimes forget about. (“How do I remember something I usually forget,” you may ask?Continue reading “The Gift-Receiver Templates Part One: The Troublemakers”
How to give great gifts: Part Two
Bandwidth Oh my goodness, I hate what I am about to do. I am going to use a buzzword-y jargon-y word. Please, please, please forgive me in advance. Bandwidth: the amount of information that can be sent over a network connection at one time. Also, a person’s capacity to take on more work, responsibility orContinue reading “How to give great gifts: Part Two”
Sing With Your Feet 