Every year -- and this year was no different, of course -- Thanksgiving descends upon America, bringing with it armies of hand-shaped, construction paper turkeys, marshmallow-encrusted sweet potato mush and red-wine-drunk uncles. And for a day, we gorge and feast and watch football and, oh yeah, give thanks, and the point is that we're all completely satisfied and grateful. Really, what more do you need than a greasy drumstick and the enlightened dinner conversation of that very thirsty uncle?
And then, every year -- and again, this year is no different -- America does a 180 and decides that heck no, they don't have everything they need right there around the dining room table. In fact, they need a lot of things, 50-percent-off things, 6-a.m.-to-10-a.m.-only things. Thus, the frightening shopping spectacle better known as Black Friday begins, and the winter holiday gift-a-thon is on.
Buying gifts can be a good thing, despite what critics of our consumer society might preach, but it has gotten awfully complicated as of late. Megalith malls and eBay give us no excuse for anything but the perfect gift, but these millions of options and the billions of ads that tell us all about them often lead to confusion before they lead to any idea of what to get the gift-worthy girl or guy in our lives. If you think it's hard to find that special something for your sister, it can be even trickier to find a special something for your special someone. The present pressure's on.
If chocolate says "I love you" and flowers say "I'm sorry," then what does a Best Buy gift card say? Choosing just the right thing to get him or her is often complicated by the fact that what present you pick can say a lot. For instance, there's nothing worse than wrapping up an engraved watch for him and unwrapping a two-month, trial magazine subscription from him. Or, let's say you find her favorite, discontinued perfume online, only to find an e-mail card with dancing elves in your inbox from her.
It's certainly awkward when gifts don't speak the same sentiments, or even the same language, but nothing can compare to the Oh-you-shouldn't-have-no-actually-you-really-shouldn't-have face. We all know it's the thought that counts, and they will love the thought
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