Gift Buying/Giving (is it wrong to buy for yourself?)

[istalklang]

I was listening to some random satellite radio station yesterday (because I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to work the damn radio) and they were having a discussion about buying gifts, especially during the holiday season. Is it wrong when you end up spending just as much money on yourself as others?

For example, you see a really good sale on something you want to buy as a gift for your friend, so you buy one for yourself as well. Or even, if you're shopping for someone else and end up finding more stuff for yourself than the intended recipient.

I found myself doing this a lot these past few weeks, spending probably about half on others and half on myself of all the money I've spent. Which is pretty bad when I'm buying for like 20 other people vs myself. I personally don't feel like it's a big deal, because it's my money and I'll do whatever the hell I want to with it!

How about you guys?

Assuming you have shopping to do (or have done), how much is the ratio of gifts for yourself vs gifts for others?

Do you think it's wrong to spend money on yourself in this sense?

[spaj]

The way I see it, there's no difference between buying yourself something nice during Christmas holidays and buying yourself something nice in, say, October. If you were really keen on making it a gift for yourself, you'd wrap it up and open it on Xmas day anyway.

[Jackoff Shitler]

The way I see it, there's no difference between buying yourself something nice during Christmas holidays and buying yourself something nice in, say, October. If you were really keen on making it a gift for yourself, you'd wrap it up and open it on Xmas day anyway.
Yeah knowing how shopping in christmas is, it's probably not the smartest move to buy yourself stuff during this time. Stuff's more expensive, all the cool things are either out of stock or just overshadowed by all the merch you're fed constantly, and it's a hassle having to deal with all those people that are shopping too, so the fastest you deal with this, the better.

I'd never buy myself stuff on christmas, or never did anyway, but my money supply is extremely short. Besides, I'll be getting presents from everyone else.

You might be one of those guys people talk about on tv. Those addicted to shopping stuff, you know. I salute you for being a post-modern world's ideal of a citizen. :salute:

[Arielcz]

If you have enough money to get your friends and yourself stuff then I don't see a problem in it. Now let's say you buy something for your friend, but you like it so much you keep it for yourself and end up giving your friend some shitty present or nothing at all, now that's wrong.

[beermonster256]

It's worse when you only buy something for someone because it's something you want, and you know that them having it will allow you to use it too. Which might be what I did this Christmas, for the first time ever :P

[Jackoff Shitler]

I have an uncle that when I was a kid used to give me wine bottles of his favourite football team's brand for my birthday. I wouldn't drink it, neither would any of the other adults. Guess he'd only buy it for himself.

[ultrasoundchick]

That sounds like one smart uncle!

[ultrasoundchick]

I don't see any problem in buying for yourself. When I shop for others, I usually end up buying myself something. It's my treat for braving the crowds and not punching anyone in the face while doing it.

USER WAS PUT IN TIMEOUT FOR THIS POST. (http://forums.explosm.net/eventlog.php)
Reason: Double post. Ise the edit button.

[xkittenxsocksx]

It's my money, I can do what I want. As long as I get something I know the people I love will enjoy it doesn't matter. It's petty mulling over anything like this.

[Knight of Cydonia]

It's fine. The only bad things are when you 1: Buy something that you want for them and they don't really want or 2: Buy them something cheaper because you want something but don't have the money for it.

[jewishjosh]

Jesus didn't intend for you to shower each other with heavily marketed crap, so I don't see why it's any worse to do that to yourself.

[lolguy]

I don't see any problem in buying something you want, or matching the money you buy for yourself and someone else. If your going to make someone else happy, you might as well make yourself happy too.

[I_Smell]

It's harder to buy shit for other people cos I don't know what they want >:(

Jesus didn't intend for you to shower each other with heavily marketed crap, so I don't see why it's any worse to do that to yourself.

I don't think Jesus really had anything planned out on the day he was born.
Wait- Why does a jewish guy care what Jesus has to say anyway?

[jewishjosh]

It was intended as an extension of the point spaj made.

[Tyler_Legrand]

I thought Christmas didn't have anything to do with Jesus anymore

[Tweek]

Why does it make a difference if you buy for yourself now other than any other time of the year?

[Derelict]

I thought Christmas didn't have anything to do with Jesus anymore

That's how I look at it. It's used it to make people happy by giving them things that would make them more comfortable in modern society. It just so happens to occur on the same day certain religious groups claim their messiah was birthed.

[gagins]

The thing is, my birthday is close enough to Christmas that if I buy a gift for myself from my birthday money, I might as well consider it a Christmas gift. It's my money, I'll do whatever the hell I want. I bought myself GTA IV, a USB powered disco ball and some awesome headphones for Christmas.

[John Travolta]

That's stupid to think that it's wrong to buy yourself something. That's like asking whether or not you should pay your relative's bills or not just because it's Christmas.

[Ziggy St. Valentine]

Why does it make a difference if you buy for yourself now other than any other time of the year?

This. I always buy myself stuff, so what difference does it make if I buy myself something at this time of the year? I also buy people presents for no reason sometimes, so it really makes no difference to me.

[bRainville]

I always buy myself a little something for Christmas. The way I see it, I'm getting other people stuff so why not treat myself to a little something too?

I always buy myself stuff, so what difference does it make if I buy myself something at this time of the year? I also buy people presents for no reason sometimes, so it really makes no difference to me.

I'm also like that. If you're gonna buy people gifts randomly, then there shouldn't be any problem with you buying yourself something as well :]

[gizzalove]

I would love to buy stuff for myself, but I barely have enough money to buy presents for other people.

[woodentoast]

I've barely got money but luckily me and my friends are all tight bastards and rarely get each other much for Christmas, the most we stretch to is buying someone a pint for their birthday. Then again if I do care enough about someone to buy them a gift I always make sure I get them something I know they'll love and then if I have something left over I treat myself.

[OoooF4LiFe]

I buy stuff for myself all the time. When Christmas comes around, all I have to do is walk around the house, and put bows on all the stuff I bought.

Makes me feel special, and whoever comes over thinks I decked out my house with everything in the world.

[macaronisheep]

I never mean to.... I just get distracted by all the things I want and forget about whoever I'm meant to be buying for.......... a bad habit, I do the same for other peoples' birthdays.

[Conipto]

I don't think it's a big deal, but personally I like to keep the ratio in check. If I'm getting stuff for others, I see no problem with getting something small for myself. Take my father for example. Last year, he bought an HD TV, and then continued to buy a copy of Full Metal Jacket on DVD. But the majority of the family enjoys both.

[Ziggy St. Valentine]

I wanna buy Souldrinker a dildo for Christmas. Would it be wrong if I bought a double-ender because I'd be getting something out of it as well?

USER WAS PUT IN TIMEOUT FOR THIS POST. (http://forums.explosm.net/eventlog.php)
Reason: Learn to stop circle jerking, please.

[koots]

I wanna buy Souldrinker a dildo for Christmas. Would it be wrong if I bought a double-ender because I'd be getting something out of it as well?

No because I'd also get some use out of it. So that makes it alright.

I never like/do shop for other people is because I never know what to get them.