– Broke is broke — that’s my theory. What I mean is that once you’ve crossed the line, that’s it. For example: I am broke now, but I added $20 to a Christmas present because it would go in a small box amongst three big boxes. The proportion appealed to me and made me feel as if my gift was complete. I am very picky about proportion. I mean, just imagine it without the little box:
– What I picture is me carrying my gifts in both my arms, a big mass of matching blue plaid (like a set!), and how impressive and exciting that would look. You need at least four boxes to achieve this effect. Period.
– What I mean by “broke is broke” is that I was broke before I spent the extra $20. This way, I’m still broke, but now, 
gets extra stuff.
– Broke + extra stuff for Jason > broke
– See what I mean?
– I also made cute little bows for the gift, as shown in the picture. The plaid was crying out for some kind of focal point. That, at least was free of cost. Although I did not skimp on the wrapping paper or the tissue paper.
– Presentation is everything.
– I can be a methodical gift-giver. I never got gifts as a child. Or as a teen, or right now. Not much, I mean. My mom would give me a price limit and let me into Wal-Mart, and I would pick out my own Barbie doll and play with it when I got home. I mean, she certainly never wrapped anything for me. So now, I really relish the whole present thing — way more than most people (it seems like).
My Guidelines Buying Gifts:
1. Must be something they would not have bought for themselves, but also something they would like.
2. Must be name-brand and/or fancy, even to the point of being gimmicky. Kinda stupid, but rules is rules.
3. Must be nicer than the stuff you own.
4. Must be impractical.
– I found boxes for all my gifts rather than putting them in bags, also. I love unwrapping presents and having that pile of torn paper on the floor. For this reason, I forwent gift bags and asked my dad for two boxes, and I bought 2 shirt boxes. The tissue paper (which coordinates with the wrapping paper) is also taped shut so that you don’t unfurl your gift, nor do you lift it out from the paper. You tear the tissue paper open too.
– Other people don’t think about this kind of stuff.
– I mean, yeah, I spent more than I can afford. But I have a very special appreciation of what it feels like when someone cares about what they give you.
