Yesterday — after much debate – I completed my Christmas shopping for Tristan.
What is Santa bringing my furry paramour, you ask?
Okay, I’ll tell you…but this is just between us, ‘kay?
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a dvd of one of his favorite 1950’s sci-fi films
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THE TALE OF BEEDLE THE BARD by J.K. Rowling
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an out of print hardcover volume collecting what is considered to be one of the greatest run of issues of his favorite superhero team
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a 16gb iPod nano
So how’d I do, gang? Did Dirkie do good? Or was the iPod a tad too much? With the exception of the music doo-dad and hardcover comic collection, everything was under $10 and fits in the stocking I bought (and filled with lip balm, peanut butter cups, gum, and a milk chocolate Iron Man).
Be honest, guys — is the iPod too extravagant for a guy I’ve only dated for 9 months? And if it isn’t too extravagant, is it a poor choice from the iPod family? Help me out here. I totally do not want to left with egg on my face during this blessed gift giving season marking the birth of that Christ kid…
I don’t no nothing about no Ipods but the gift list sounds great to me. I’d be happy to receive these items, Dirkie done good. The Jesus kid is smiling down.
My AMC recap was long, detailed and oh so witty but my damn “puter decided I took too long typing it up so it shut of my internet connection and I had to start over again, damn it all to Hell! So I hope your week starts better.
By: Ed on Monday, December 15, 2008
at 5:46 am
I’m ipod-illiterate, and have no idea how much Tristan’s cost, but the rest of the gifts sound fantastic! They prove that you LISTEN to him, which is tantamount (another word I LOVE!) in any relationship. To be quite honest, you had me at peanut butter cups. YUMMMMMMM!
By: catrina on Monday, December 15, 2008
at 8:01 am
Based on number of other gifts, price and length of relationship, I’m leaning towards, “Downgrade the ipod.”
However, I don’t know the daily nature of the relationship. Has he been generous towards you in the gift giving department these past nine months? If he has then just do that thing you do to presents and get ready for the big smiles.
Dirk says: …I failed to mention that the iPod was at a good price (plus I got a $25 gift card with purchase!), the dvd was $1 (I’m a bargain shopper), and I ate half the bag of peanut butter cups.
By: Sarah on Monday, December 15, 2008
at 8:23 am
I think it sounds fine as long as you are giving from the heart. If you only get $25 worth of gifts, will you be hurt? Will you feel cheated? If so, perhaps you should have a discussion on $ limit on presents. Setting some ground rules now could save an awkward and potentially hurtful situation later.
Dirk says: …I don’t want anything for Christmas and never expect anything so I’m happy with anything. I’m one of those weirdo “it’s better to give than to receive” types.
By: Gavin on Monday, December 15, 2008
at 9:26 am
The presents all sound thoughtful and like a great deal of care went into them…I, too, am unfamiliar with the cost of all the iPods, but if it’s something he really wants, you can afford it, and you wanted to give it to him, it is Christmas, after all, and that’s supposed to be about love. (At least for those of us who aren’t drinking ourselves into a bitter stupor…)
By: Aaron on Monday, December 15, 2008
at 10:13 am
Love means never having to say you’re sorry… For spending money.
By: cb on Monday, December 15, 2008
at 10:32 am
Must be a Midwest internal gift counter that cause people to agonize over stuff like this. Even though I’m from the Midwest I just buy gifts that I want the person to have – that I think they will like and be surprised. Hell I once bought a gift for someone I met once and never got to give since he stood me up in Chicago.
Might want to load some of his favorite music on the iPod or burn a CD (better choice) that he could then load.
By: Dennis on Monday, December 15, 2008
at 10:58 am
Well, as long as you ate half of his peanut butter cups and did some discount shopping, I’m going to greenlight this project.
By: Sarah on Monday, December 15, 2008
at 11:17 am
The thing about gift giving in these situations (one of the things, anyway) is that if each person in the equation is to feel comfortable about it, the giving and receiving needs to be sort of equal in value. The value can be thoughtful and/or sentimental, not just monetary. You have put a lot of thought into these gifts for him, and that means a lot. But if you do all the giving and don’t accept anything from him, he will probably feel uncomfortable. If the monetary value of your gift to him is significantly larger than what he gives you, that might make him feel uncomfortable, too. Some discrepancy in the cost is no big deal, but if it’s strikingly different that could be awkward. What that means for you in this particular situation I don’t know. Any idea at all what he might get for you? Or what he might spend on a gift for you?
Those are my thoughts, for what it’s worth. Hope you figure it out. I like what you’ve gotten for him, though. Especially the dvd and the superhero collection.
By: javabear on Monday, December 15, 2008
at 12:00 pm
I agree with Java. The gifts you’ve bought are nice and extremely thoughtful. But, if ya haven’t put feelers out as to how much each is spending, it might be a lil awkward.
By: Steve's Rebooted on Monday, December 15, 2008
at 1:32 pm
OK, though I’m busily earning my salary, I took the time to price a 16 gb ipod nano. According to whatever site I was at, they run $175-$180. If you got a $25 gift card, you’re still at $150-$155. I’m thinking maybe you could save that for a one-year anniversary gift. Besides, all the other gifts (well, maybe except for a HALF bag of peanut butter cups) are obviously well thought out, which means romance to everybody!
By: catrina on Monday, December 15, 2008
at 2:15 pm
Gift giving isnt tied to some sort of scale. You give it because you want him to have it.
By: Dennis on Monday, December 15, 2008
at 2:46 pm
I think that is a lovely gift and you should stop over thinking things.
Love,
Randi
By: randi on Monday, December 15, 2008
at 3:51 pm
I think you’ve done fine. When I was in grad school (and on a very limited budget), I got a friend a gift that I knew he wanted, but it wasn’t very expensive. When he opened it, I got an, “Oh…”, and then an, “Oh, well.” When I opened his gift, he had clearly spent a great deal more on me. I wasn’t bothered by it (he was working, I wasn’t) UNTIL his reaction, so as long as you are clearly thankful for whatever you get, I think you’re fine. And, honestly, that would seem the sort of gift I would give someone if I were in a relationship similar to yours…
Merry Christmas!
By: Keith on Monday, December 15, 2008
at 3:52 pm
I think you did fine. Gift giving isn’t about how much you spend but picking out just the thing you know the other would love or maybe wouldn’t buy for themselves. They show that you gave it some thought and didn’t buy him something for the sake of buying. If you can afford those gifts then give them. It will make both of you happy.
By: Summer on Monday, December 15, 2008
at 5:14 pm
a chocolate iron man? Where the hell did you find that? Do tell, I want one I want one I want one.
And the iPod is great. I wish someone would surprise me with one.
By: Tyler on Monday, December 15, 2008
at 5:30 pm
and trust me. We’re gay boys. WE are expected to be over abundant in the gift giving dept. And being the one in all my relationships that makes much more money than my partner I always end up giving much more than I receive. But I love it. It’s nice to see the looks on their faces when they open the box and see the goodies. Kinda the same face they make when I take off my pants and they see the goodies. hehe. Couldn’t stop myself, had to make a big dick comment.
By: Tyler on Monday, December 15, 2008
at 5:34 pm
Ooh, Catrina’s onto something. Hold the ipod in reserve and give it last, or wait til the one year anniversary. Or you could just have a darn discussion about it. Would that be so hard?
By: tornwordo on Tuesday, December 16, 2008
at 5:22 am
You could do what they did on the Big Bang show last night on CBS. The next door neighbor girl bought a gift requiring him to respond in kind. He went to the store and bought several items. Then when he opened her gift first he faked gastronomic distress and left the room. He intended to return with the appropriate amount of gifts. since she gave him an autographed napkin that Leonard Nimoy had used he felt he had still not bought her an equal number of gifts. In your case I’m sure The Fella will give a gift equal to yours in value. At least tehe sentimental value will be the same.
By: Ed on Tuesday, December 16, 2008
at 7:03 am
Dirk–give him the pressies and just enjoy the spirit of giving…….
By: Lurker Girl on Tuesday, December 16, 2008
at 8:18 am
I LOVE Big Bang Theory!
By: catrina on Tuesday, December 16, 2008
at 9:55 am
You did good! I think he’s gonna love all of it. Merry Xmas, Dirk!
By: Mark in DE on Tuesday, December 16, 2008
at 11:31 am
[...] 3. Have you started your holiday shopping? Is it done? Been there, completed that shit. See Monday’s post. 4. What are the chances there will be a “naughty” present under the tree this year [...]
By: TMI Tuesday on Wednesday (because I have a fucking sinus headache and can’t think for shit) « Too Disgusting to Contemplate, Too Compelling to Ignore on Wednesday, December 17, 2008
at 1:18 pm
It doesn’t matter the cost, it matters that you wanted him to have a gift from you. Hell, if I sat down and added up the cost of the gifts I got my gf of 6 months….I’d have to shoot myself.
By: Jer on Wednesday, December 17, 2008
at 8:08 pm
Aww Dirkie, you did well!
If you’re really that worried about the iPod, you could always leave it out, away from the other presents, and wait and see what he’s got you, and if he’s forked over the big bucks for something nice, you can then produce the iPod for his enjoyment. Otherwise, you can save it for his birthday or the anniversary.
By: Josh on Sunday, December 21, 2008
at 8:23 am
[...] of course I don’t need to tell you what The Fella received (because I posted about it last week). But you might be interested to know that I put the i-Pod in the bottom of his stocking and then [...]
By: For those of you who were sure this night was destined to end badly, this one’s for you. Or not. « Too Disgusting to Contemplate, Too Compelling to Ignore on Wednesday, December 24, 2008
at 1:03 am