gift-giving

December. Shopping. Gifts. Some people haphazardly shop hoping to stumble upon the perfect items for the people on their lists. Others think and agonize for hours, days or even months in order to select something that is just right. Most people probably end up doing a bit of both and have an easier time with some people on their list than others.

I've basically abandoned gift-giving with the majority of my friends (unless I come across something special that just can't wait until their birthday). Um... mostly because I'm poor and its not fun to spread already thin funds among many, but there are still some individuals who I feel compelled to give gifts to. This year those individuals are my mentees. I haven't gotten extremely close to them, so picking out gifts was a bit difficult. I wanted to get them each something to suit their personalities and also use the gifts as a medium to express my most positive impressions of them (I wrote a nice note in their cards too). I think something you should always ask yourself when buying gifts for people that you don't know very well is "would I want this gift?" And I'm proud to say that I would like each of their gifts if I were to receive them.

Even though I feel confident that they are good gifts, I still have an almost sheepish apprehension in giving them their gifts because I'm not sure how they will be received. I find that sometimes when I give people their gifts I try to downplay the gift as if it was nothing special because I don't want to see a look of disappointment when the package is opened. I don't want them to fake an enthusiasm for what they think to be a lame gift. I think that this is mostly a function of the relationship (or lack thereof) that I have with them. I don't think my mentees expected presents from me.

Even though giving someone a present is a nice gesture, bad presents do exist. As a picky individual who has gotten her fair share of bad gifts (a dancing bee that sang "don't worry, bee happy", a fish pillow complete with a styrofoam tray and plastic wrap, a gray chenille sweater), I fear being labeled as a bad gift giver. I worry that the receiver won't appreciate my gift and the thought I put into it. I want other people to look at my gifts and think, "Gee, I wish I got that as a present" or "I wish HT gave me gifts because she really knows a good present!" Hahaha...

Anyway, perhaps I should just list their gifts so that I can get some sort of ressurance for them.
Green and pink polka dotted scrapbook - C.A. (she told me she had been looking for one and I think she liked it)
Orange and pink striped mug with frozen hot chocolate mix from Serendipity 3 - JY
Ticket Stub Album - K.N.
IQ Brain Challenge Book/Kit - C.C.

So, what do you think? Will my kids be unappreciative brats who will cast my gift aside in disgust or will they cherish these tokens of my benevolence?