Every year at the holidays or just before my birthday, some well meaning person will ask, “Hey, what do you want?”
“Oh, nothing,” I say. “Or just something teeny-tiny.” I do mean that, usually. Or maybe what I really mean is: I don’t want you to feel you HAVE to do something, and I don’t want it to be a BURDEN, but if you INSIST, I’d like something, I just don’t know what.
So what happens? You get stuff you don’t want. Or you don’t get anything.
Reality: People are going to buy you things to show they care. Human beings express themselves materially; it’s just a quirk they have.
So, you need a list. You need an answer to that question and not off the top of your head. What you really need is a registry, a thing engaged couples know is the best part of getting married.
Creating the Registry
- Pick your favorite store – it needs to be online so people can order things for you remotely. Amazon, Macy’s, just about all major stores offer this service.
- Set up a registered wishlist or registry account with login and password.
- Sit down for 30 minutes and have fun browsing. Click all the mundane stuff you need for your house or self but never bother to buy (and never remember to ask for). Include fun items that seem frivolous, but you’d secretly love. Now you’re getting into the spirit.
- Alas, your wishlist won’t sell itself so you will need to tell others about its existence. The mass mailing notification that some stores offer is a tad cold. So just drop the hint the next time you’ve got a birthday or other gift giving occasion coming up. Something along the lines of “Oh, it’s so silly, I finally broke down and made a list somewhere so I could remember what I want—“ Nudge nudge.
- Update your list on a yearly basis.
The beautiful part is, Givers receive a very great service. They get what they really desire: a little direction and input. Getters receive the goods. What’s not to love.
