Christmas is almost upon us, and it is time for the search for last-minute gifts. Some might turn to commercials for ideas for said gifts This should not be done because commercials lie. These are some gifts commercials try to force on us, which, personally, I really don't think work for most people.
1. Luxury Cars: Perhaps I'm weird, but I'm not a car person. Basically, they're a way to get from one place to another.
In this day and age, that makes them essentially a necessity. So, if you are buying a car for someone for Christmas, it's like buying them a really expensive pair of socks.
Luxury cars might have more bells and whistles, but they are still cars. And, really, it turns out that you are buying them a $200 gift every month. Nothing says "I love you" like going into hock.
That is, unless you can purchase something like a Lexus outright. If you can, I'd suggest putting that money to better use by giving it to charity.
2. Major Appliances: Again, somewhat of a necessity. I mean, the milk will go bad if its not refrigerated, right? We need to cook the food before we eat it, right?
Not that necessities should be ignored altogether at Christmas time, but I believe Christmas gifts should have some sentiment behind them. What's romantic about a radar range? What's special about a stove? In my eyes, nothing.
If anything, this gift will send the wrong message. "Honey, all I think of you is as someone who will cook my food. Now go make me some cupcakes in that new oven I bought you."
Besides, you are spending several hundred dollars at one time for a gift, which is more than the entire Christmas budget for some people. That would make a refrigerator the only gift you got that certain someone. Is that what you want?
If you need a new stove or refrigerator, you should buy a new stove or refrigerator. If you need a better stove or refrigerator, you should buy a better stove or refrigerator. But buy them when you need it or want it. Don't buy it for Christmas.
3. An Engagement Ring: There are a lot of commercials out there advertising jewelry for Christmas gifts. Too much sentimentality is place on jewelry, especially diamonds. Diamonds are essentially the most plentiful gem on Earth (their made of carbon, as any science class will tell you, is all around) which are controlled by a few cartels to inflate the price unnecessarily.
But this year, I've seen more engagement themed ads around. They are trying to portray giving an engagement ring as a good idea for the holidays. Really, its not.
Yes, Christmas is a romantic time anyway. You are putting thought and effort into getting something special for someone you love they want you to think that getting engaged at Christmas will make that event even more special.
But, really, it is special all its own. It doesn't need to piggyback on Christmas for extra sentiment. If anything, it takes away from both events.
Wait until New Year's and give her the ring then. Because, you know you are have to get her something else on Christmas anyway. (You do know that, don't you??)
4. Power Tools: My favorite commercials this time of year are the Lowe's commercials. Couples walk into the store and say along the lines of "Hey, we can do all our shopping here!" Yeah, if the only guy you're buying for is Paul Bunyon.
Don't get me wrong, I know there are people with hobbies such as woodworking and cabinetmaking that would appreciate a good set of power tools. And, by all means, get some for them.
But for most men without these interests, you buying them power tools says, "get off your butt and do some work, ya lazy bum!"
And, unless the guy works in construction and needs to supply his own tools, any man can get by with a simple tool set that can fit under the sink. Does Joe Shmoe really need a nail gun? A power sander? A table saw?
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