Four Simple Steps to Curb Gift Jealousy
When what you want lands in someone else's lap, here's how to keep from going green with envy.
The true meaning of the holiday season is giving, we know, but receiving is awfully nice, too. Whether you’re 5 or 50, there’s nothing quite like pulling the paper off that big box on Christmas Day. But what if what’s in the box isn’t exactly what you were hoping for? Do you grin and bear it or feign enthusiasm? Worse yet, what if a family member or friend scores that golden lamb of a gift and you’re left a little, um, jealous? No need to fear. We’ll show you how to keep gift envy at bay and enjoy the spoils of the season.
1. Avoid must-having the must-have items
Unwrapping a Playstation 3, Blu-ray player or the Elmo du season would be nice – we’re not saying it wouldn’t be – but their high demand puts the chances of that happening at pretty slim. The solution? Wish for something else. Setting your mind on an equally-enjoyable-but-more-likely-to-get item means you’ll stay happy without “really” missing out on something. Besides, all that comes with the season’s hot item is an inflated head and deflated checkbook.
2. Tailor to your tastes
Staying off the hot-item trail means you’re better suited to get something you and only you will enjoy, like a first-edition copy of your favorite book, out-of-print DVD of your favorite movie or a gift card to your favorite store. Folks don’t have to go to the ends of the earth to make these gifts appear), and you’ll be so pleasantly surprised you won’t notice it’s the third year in a row you did NOT get an iPod.
3. Be specific in with your wishes
A gift card for $50 of diesel fuel isn’t exactly the $50 gift card for Diesel jeans you were expecting, so write out specific item names and cut out pictures or circle items in the weekly ad. If you’re passing along a list via e-mail, include links to the items on a store or company Web site – this makes your perfect gift just a few clicks away and leaves someone else to be befuddled in the middle of the shopping mall. If you don’t know what you want, ask for a gift card and shop for yourself once you decide what it is you want.
4. Revel in the receipt
So everyone else’s presents are better than yours, so what? Just return it. You may have to battle crowds of likeminded exchangers, but the post-holiday markdowns might help you pick up a little extra booty than you originally plundered. At the end of the day, someone else’s present might be nice, but no nicer than yours.
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