There's a movement this holiday to give meaningful charitable gifts rather than pajamas, perfume or Pottery Barn. After all, most of us already have too much stuff so why not help someone who doesn't. I can buy a goat for a family in central Africa for the same price as a weeks worth of Starbuck's soy lattes.
Making a donation to a worthy cause in a friend's name makes us feel good, plus there's no mall hassles and no gift wrapping. Of course, you risk the look of utter disappointment when they realize that the "thanks for your donation" card is all they get. Knowing there's a goat in Africa with your name on it doesn't quite have the same impact as unwrapping an actual present.
I'm all for this trend, but I was taken aback by a public service ad suggesting that, this Christmas, men should make an appointment for a Pap smear for the woman in their life. Most men don't even like to buy tampons, so imagine how thrilled they'd be to broach this subject with your gynecologist. Does he even know who your gyno is?
Does Hallmark have a card to accompany this kind of gift? There's the obvious rhyme of dear and smear but after that...? No woman is going to brag to her friends about the gift of a Pap smear.
Men, go with the goat -- and throw in a cashmere sweater as well. It can't hurt.
1 comment:
This is very funny because my husband went to China recently to attend two cooking schools (over a two week period) and he DID buy a live goat and I'll leave out the gross parts, but he said it was delicious. I counted that as part of his Christmas present since the trip was paid for by his friend. I do agree that giving something charitable or consumable is the way to go. I def. don't need more stuff. Happy New Year Heggie, Love Steph (aka Faye)
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