HOLIDAY GAMING: What did you ask for / what are you buying?

[Luke]

Great Topic.

This is probably the first year of my life (where I could speak, granted), that I didn't ask for a video game or system. In fact, this is the first Christmas where I already didn't send out a list a month early.

Shit. I think I'm at the stage of life where I actually want clothes for Christmas.

[Hobie-wan]

Add me in the 'bah humbug' pile. I detest the obligations that Christmas and birthdays entail. Some people build up expectations and if you don't meet them? You're a jackass. Trade gifts with someone and someone is vastly different on the amount of money or thoughtfulness? They're a jackass. Leave someone off because they're not a close enough relative/friend? You're a jackass. Forget to wish someone a happy or merry whatever? You're a jackass. Lots of people put themselves in debt to fulfill these obligations.

Random surprises just because you feel like being nice or a moment is just right is where it's at.

[Luke]

Add me in the 'bah humbug' pile. I detest the obligations that Christmas and birthdays entail. Some people build up expectations and if you don't meet them? They're a rude jackass. Trade gifts with someone and someone is vastly different on the amount of money or thoughtfulness? They're both jackasses if they're not happy for the gift they got. Leave someone off because they're not a close enough relative/friend? They're a rude jackass. Forget to wish someone a happy or merry whatever? If they are offended, they are a rude jackass. Lots of people put themselves in debt to fulfill these obligations.

Random surprises just because you feel like being nice or a moment is just right is where it's at.

Fixed! Except for the last sentence which is spot on.

I'm all for holidays, gift giving, and putting smiles on peoples faces even if it is during a commercialized holiday based on a religion that not everyone believes in. I, like many, can use the most happy I can get out of life, and I've never had a friend not appreciate just the thought that came with the gift.

That said, I usually go over the top with gift giving...except to my brother in law. He's kind of a douche who can plan on getting a gift card to B&Noble (aka an errand with no thought).

[BoneSnapDeez]

I detest putting together a list of things to ask for around the holidays, but usually have to do it anyway. I'd like to think that people who feel obliged to buy me a gift would already have an idea what I like...

This would be nice, but not really how things always work out. These days, I email my parents Amazon links and say "Buy me this exact item from Amazon please!" Otherwise I would continue to get socks, neckties, and ratchet wrenches every Christmas.

[hashiriya1]

Shooting for a Japanese Vita but it seems I am late for pre-orders. That would be a great gift for myself. My future mother-in-law offered to get me one before she comes to visit from Japan for Xmas, but all the shops in her area sold out. I

As for gifts from others, I can't bring myself to tell or suggest to people what they should get me. It just feels wrong for some reason.

[MrAverageRetro]

Yeah I will wait for the USA Vita

[Inazuma]

Add me in the 'bah humbug' pile. I detest the obligations that Christmas and birthdays entail. Some people build up expectations and if you don't meet them? You're a jackass. Trade gifts with someone and someone is vastly different on the amount of money or thoughtfulness? They're a jackass. Leave someone off because they're not a close enough relative/friend? You're a jackass. Forget to wish someone a happy or merry whatever? You're a jackass. Lots of people put themselves in debt to fulfill these obligations.

Random surprises just because you feel like being nice or a moment is just right is where it's at.

Me too.

I don't celebrate bullshit holidays like Christmas. I hate the idea of buying someone a gift out of obligation. I give random gifts to people because I actually want to do it. There is real meaning behind my gifts. I won't blindly follow traditions. I need to have a good reason to do something.

[BananaXX]

Kingdom Hearts 1 and Final Fantasy Tactics.
Non-game related: An Antec 300 and Cooler Master PSU.

[Michi]

I only ask for games from the parents and when I do they have to be easily accessible new games. No retro stuff. They wouldn't know what I already have. I don't usually ask for gaming related things from other relatives, but if I do it's in the form of a gift card. This year I just asked for Wii titles that I haven't been able to pick up yet.

...There is real meaning behind my gifts.

This.

Sure Christmas has become really commercialized, but I think the more thought you put into a gift, the less soul-sucking the holiday season becomes. Because the more thought you put into something you know they're going to like the happier you are, just because you know you made them a little happier. And it doesn't have to be anything big either. Take me and my friend. We went to the local book sale together in October. We both picked up a few books, but this year she's pretty strapped for cash and wasn't able to pick up everything she wanted. So after she left I went back through and picked up a couple of the books she'd wanted. Now, whether or not she remembers this when I give them to her is anyone's guess, but I remember, damnit. There is a method to my madness.

Oh, and just so everyone knows this isn't a one-way gifting process (and so I can have an excuse to show it off), this is what she made me for my birthday:



It's a pin. Isn't that neat

Her and her mom work with fused glass. She told me once it was all done, her mom looked at her and said, "Huh...that turned out better than I thought it would. If we make more, we can take off the eyes and sell them to the stoners."

I've been telling her they need to make more gaming related imagery, since she said her mother was complaining that they weren't really attracting a younger crowd......I wonder if I can get her to make me a Triforce emblem......

[Hobie-wan]

Now, whether or not she remembers this when I give them to her is anyone's guess, but I remember, damnit. There is a method to my madness.

My college girlfriend was always inadvertantly mentioning little things she'd like. She wasn't dropping clues on purpose and she wasn't a horrible materialistic person, but she made it very easy to keep a list of things to give her as gifts. I've also gotten many brownie points with females by catching some odd thing they like and noting that for a random gift later. Listening and remembering works wonders. Hope the books go over well. The mushroom pin is certainly cool.