gift buying etiquette

[Crankin]

When I think about it, we are like Veronica. We buy things all year long, so there doesn't have to be a special holiday. Heck, we didn't even give each other anniversary cards this yr. But, we did go out for a nice dinner.
Our trip to Portugal next fall is 2 months before our 35th anniversary, so that is how we are celebrating, although we would have done the trip without that excuse!

[Veronica]

We don't give birthday or anniversary cards either. For our anniversary this past year (27!) we went to Baskin Robbins for ice cream using up gift cards from my students. Then we discovered we could also use them at Dunkin' Donuts. I know not everyone cares for DD, but for us, it's one of the highlights of going back east.

We don't need the big showy stuff; it's the little things that are important. Thom washes out my protein drink thermos every time I use it and the champagne flutes. He's a better dish washer! I have a special pull on my winter cycling jacket so I can zip up or down with winter gloves on. He put it on years ago, but every time I wear it, I smile. I do like the big surprises - my Cervelo was a true, out of the blue, surprise. He didn't get it for any occasion. It was on sale, in my size... but you can't really surprise someone on their birthday or Christmas.

Veronica

[malkin]

We have Dunkin' Donuts here now!

[Crankin]

Bah, I'm the only New Englander who hates DD.
Their advertising appeals to a certain demographic and insults others (i.e. the one that made fun of those who speak other languages). It's pure townie-ism at its best. Plus, I really don't appreciate the traffic jams of people blocking major roads, because they are waiting to go through the drive through. Of course, after they slam on the brakes and don't signal to let me know they are turning into the lot.

[malkin]

I learned about DD coffee the summer that I made the mistake of being a chaperone for a 6 week summer ballet program in Philly. It was great to get away from all the 'precious' little dancers and get coffee, even if just for a few minutes, and even at Dunkin'.

I'm hardly a fan of donuts at all (or large groups of teenaged ballet students either, for that matter.)