Gift Giving Tips

I'll admit it, I'm a bit of a tech geek.  I am not, however, at the forefront of technology.  That role is reserved for my brother.  I enjoy fashion - to an extent (I won't watch those shows on TV).  When it boils down to it though, I wear sweats or shorts and a t-shirt to work.  I  keep up on my current events via Lindsay's subscription to US Weekly.  I don't, however, discuss it openly with anyone except Lindsay.  I read plenty of blogs from all corners of the world - from music to sports to photography to food to what pisses people off.  I am well-rounded.  I know enough about a lot of things but certainly not a lot about any one thing (besides baseball and gift-giving).


I learn about new gadgets from the Internet by doing hours of research before actually purchasing an item.  I comparison shop like a mo-fo.  I always want to get the best price.  I will always look for promotion codes - the Internet is full of them, and you're a fool for not checking.  I'll do my homework for something I don't necessarily want - I've done extensive research for my parents, my brother, my wife, and even stupid dog toys for Nathan.  Ninety-eight percent of the time, I'll put do the research and wind up not even buying said item.  But at least I was prepared.

The reason for all of this stammering on doing your homework is because during the holidays, it's easy to get caught up in the razzle-dazzle of the ads and commercials for products you may think those on your Christmas gift list may enjoy.

I pride myself on my gift-giving ability.  I am one of the best I know.  I'm good at it not because I spend thousands of dollars on expensive, brand-name gifts.  I'm good because I actually listen throughout the year and keep notes in my phone.  I have a terrible memory, so having an app that allows me to make a note of something before I forget is critical.  It may seem like I'm not paying attention from time to time when people are talking to me - and occasionally I'm not.

Back to the promo codes.  Before you buy anything online - ANYTHING at all, open a new tab, go to Google, and type in [store name] promo code.  I bet you something will pop up - I use retailmenot.com.  Right now, there's a promo code for 15% off one item from Barnes % Noble, 25% off photo gifts from Walgreens, and free shipping on all order from Lands' End.  There's thousands of others as well, but you can do your homework yourself.

As a self-proclaimed gift-giving guru, I'll recommend some things to you wannabe's out there.  First, download an app on your phone and whenever someone you actually give a shit about mentions something he/she likes, make a note of it.  Second, always comparison shop online for whatever it is - the Internet is pretty large and has pretty much anything you want, at all different prices.  Third, always look for a promotional code online.  This doesn't make you cheap, it makes you smart.  Who the hell's gonna know if you used a promo code to save 30%?  No one.  Finally, if you live with the would-be recipient, make sure to remove the return address from the top left corner of the package - because once they see it, they'll just try to guess what it is until it's actually time to open it.  Maybe that's just Lindsay, but I doubt it.

Ho Ho Ho!  Ho Ho Ho!

Oh, and here's a video I laughed at almost the entire time - ALLEN, ALLEN, ALLEN, AL, ALLEN!