It's Christmas Time

So I started my christmas shopping last week...Well, I tried to start my christmas shopping by going out and looking at potential gifts for my family. The early part of the shopping is always the hardest part because even if the person you're buying for has given you a list of things they want, I fell as though you're still tempted to buy things that are not on the list so it seems like you put some extra thought into buying the gifts.

Thinking about gifts in this way relates back to the idea of gift buying outcomes. The goal of buying people gifts is to obtain an epiphany outcome or affirmation outcome. Both are outcomes I would see as acceptable because then nobody is upset or disappointed about what they got. The epiphany occurs when a gifts works to help the relationship turn a corner and hopefully for the best. The affirmation just maintains the standing the relationship is already in, which for me would be acceptable because it still means that the person getting the gift is pleased with what they received.

It's the first christmas with the new girlfriend and I've noticed myself not wanting to buy things because of the high risk of her not liking what I get. Another thing I've noticed, and this relates to the "dark side" of gifts, and that is feeling like I have to match her spending. I had noticed in previous year that a lot of the gifts I bought were "better" if they were more expensive, and people would like it more because I had spent more. Even though I feel like the more useful and thought about gifts, regardless of monetary value, are the best ones.

With Christmas coming faster than I would like, I think that this Christmas season will result in some last minute gift buying. There's also many questions with regards to who I'm buying gifts for. Do I buy my girlfriend's parents gifts, or do I wait to see if they get me anything..or should it even matter if they get me anything.

Found it kind of funny while talking with a guy from work about christmas. His family never does much, and it's just a small gift exchange and then dinner. But his thoughts can bring in a new point of view about gift exchanges, and it's how you're kind of being forced to trade money with people in the form of objects that may or may not be needed or appreciated.