Saturday, December 05, 2009

Going Green...and Red

I decided last night that I'm not gonna give any Christmas cards to my nearest and dearest this year; I typically spend $4 apiece on cards for my mom, wife, and sisters. Ultimately, the cards just say "Merry Christmas" and "I love you" and I'm not ashamed to say that in person. Plus, cards are almost always thrown away after the holidays. If anyone gives me any lip about it, I'll just say, "I'm goin' green. Tis the season".



In a similar vein, I read a capsule review last night of a book called "Scroogenomics: Why You Shouldn't Buy Presents for the Holidays". The author says his theory is solid economics. "As an institution for 'allocating resources' (getting stuff to the right people), holiday giving is a complete loser." One example is that if you spend $50 on yourself, you'll get something worth $50 to you. But if your aunt Winnie buys you a $50 Christmas gift, she's likely to buy something that's worth nothing to you. In economic terms, that's a "deadweight loss". Our shopping puts retailers in the black while we wind up in the red.

My wife received an iPod this past week as an early Christmas present, so my days of being able to brag that I've never downloaded a song will most likely be ending soon. This, less than a week after getting HighDefinition installed on our new TV has my head spinning a bit (but in a good way). It's quite difficult to go back to watching regular definition TV after experiencing the joys of HD. Kinda like having sex with the prettiest girl in town and then trying to find enjoyment with your previous partner.

6 comments:

ExtraO said...

Hmm... I don't know about your last sentence. I think there's more to the enjoyment of sex than a pretty face, yea? :-)

But, I do think scroogenomics is on to something!

Rocketstar said...

Welcome to 2010 Thomas ;o)

Dave said...

Back in the day when I had a wife to buy a christmas present for, I suggested one year that it would be better if we just both went out and bought whatever we wanted for ourselves. We could both then ensure we got the present we really wanted and seeing as we had joint bank accounts anyway it didn't even matter financially. It was suggested by my then wife, and backed up by the kids, that I was the most unromantic soul on the planet.

Thomas, thanks for restoring my faith in the practicality of xmas. :)

Sundar said...

I second Dawn's observation. I guess what you wanted to say was "..having sex with the hottest gal in town and then going back to using your hand."

Randy said...

I like Dave's idea (although I'd be voted down in a hurry). The best I've ever seen this handled was my father-in-law's trick. He would give money to my wife, who would go Christmas shopping with her mother. They'd pick out a nice gift from my father-in-law to my mother-in-law, wrap it, put it under the tree and then on Christmas day my father-in-law would see what he bought his wife.

Unknown said...

dave's idea is the best....as always eh......:)besides ain't nothing buta commercial game, cent percent profits....we are just the rats of the pied piper of monopolizations.......
regarding the enjoyment of sex.....well ain't about pretty or hot! all about right mate, an average looking guy cud be the "IT" of your kamasutra, while a gorgeous model type is just another sexbud.....speaking from experience buddy.....:)