Mug, shirt, unsolicited advice: PhilSTAR L!fe readers share what they don't want for Christmas
Since the holidays are fast approaching, many people already come up with their wish lists. But whether the requests are easy-peasy or bloody difficult to fulfill, the pressure is always on the giver.
There is, however, a workaround: stating what one doesn’t like to receive. This gives buyers more flexibility while still being able to indulge their beloved recipients.
PhilSTAR L!fe asked its social media followers the things they do not want for Christmas, and here are some of the interesting—and intriguing—answers.
Mug
The go-to Christmas gift, especially in company parties, is covered in a small plastic bag, secured in a plain white box, and placed in a paper bag (or even not at all).
A mug also tends to end up becoming a pen holder—even picking up dust in the cabinet—since households already have enough drinkware. Its lack of need is also reinforced by the penchant for ordering milk tea, coffee, or soda on one’s favorite food delivery app.
Shirt
It’s not like one cannot do laundry (for a year) that they need a new shirt any time soon.
Besides, there’s the risk of getting the size and feeling all wrong, despite knowing whether it's S, M, or L in the wish list since the recipient cannot fit it beforehand for obvious reasons.
Picture frame
While it isn’t really a tired choice, a picture frame may lack utility since it’s not sure whether the recipient has the time to have their physical photos taken in a decent studio in the first place.
We’re also in the age of social media anyway, and the news feed will always be replete with entries enhanced by the most reliable of photo apps.
Gift certificate
Good for anyone who would get free items with their gift certificate, but there’s a chance that the receiver isn’t originally a brand patron.
It may also have an expiration date that may not align with the receiver’s schedule and runs the risk of being wasted.
Non-physical gifts
Other PhilSTAR L!fe readers, meanwhile, don’t necessarily wish to decline physical gifts but rather avoid things that may affect their well-being.
Unsolicited advice
Nobody wants others to tell you what you should do in life, especially if they don’t feed you in the first place.
Their comments regarding your weight or love life are also not welcome, and they should just keep their mouth shut—if not give you blue bills in an ang pao.
Stress
Hybrid work, overbearing relative (who probably gives unsolicited advice), rising prices, cheating celebrities, corrupt politicians... these are just some sources of stress.
Perhaps it isn’t too much to ask to have less stress, especially on the day the world commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.
Illness
Though the entire world has seemingly learned to live with COVID-19, other diseases remain rampant.
It’s a no-brainer that one wishes to stay in the pink of health during the holidays—and all year round.
Heartbreak
This year already saw several breakups, like Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn, Andrea Brillantes and Ricci Rivero, and the highly rumored Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla.
Pretty sure you don’t want to jump on the bandwagon, even though you’re not a celebrity or you don't look like one.
Child
Come on, guys, it’s 2023 and it’s almost 2024. Having sex out of wedlock isn’t something that would get couples excommunicated, but they mostly want to do it for pleasure, not procreation.
Not everybody is ready to be a parent yet, safe sex practices notwithstanding. The 13th-month pay and Christmas bonus may not cut it for the next nine months and beyond.