Birthdays

Dear Gwen (who is also my mother),

I’m so glad you asked for a letter about birthdays, because as you know birthdays are quite possibly my favorite holidays in the whole world. I love my own birthday in a vain, selfish way, but I also adore other people’s birthdays. Other people’s birthdays are the ideal opportunity to buy the perfect gift, which is a most satisfying endeavor.  One of my great talents is buying the perfect gift (and you have received many of these gifts), and I know that I inherited this skill from you. However, I feel like there are a few simple rules to buying this almost unattainable perfect gift that I would like to share with you and all the others who may be reading this letter. So here they are:

1.       Don’t ask for a list. Lists are for the weak. One of the best parts about a gift is the surprise of it, and you can’t be surprised by something you’ve asked for.

2.       Think about the person you’re buying for. I know this sounds stupid, but do it anyone. The receiver of your gift has at one point mentioned something they desire. It is your job to remember what this is and buy it for them, because they will not buy it for themselves.

3.       Don’t be afraid to get weird.  I thought about calling this rule “Go big or go home,” but that’s not quite the sentiment I’m going for.  Take a risk with your gift. The strangest thing is often the perfect thing to buy.

 On my last birthday, I received a gift which followed all of these rules, and is in strong contention for the Number One Gift of All Time.  My sister gave me a caricature of the two of us kayaking in Florida. I didn’t ask for this drawing, so there’s rule number one.  I don’t get to see my sister that often, so this is an excellent memento of a great vacation and great memories for the two of us, thus following rule number two.  And finally, it is very strange (as in we both have pompadours and look like dudes), as per rule number three. 

So all of you reading this letter, go out and buy someone you like a gift they weren’t expecting. While it’s fun to receive gifts, it may be more fun to give them.

Love,

Gena