Are you a peeker?

[Drew2]

So I have this horrible problem about finding out what I'm getting for Christmas before Christmas. I usually know about 80% of what I'm getting before the 25th... whether it be through snooping in my mother's hiding spots or cleverly unwrapping and re-wrapping my presents when no one is looking.

I know I'm not alone in this. Do you look? Or do you like the surprise?

[Tsunami]

You are bad!

Never never peek! The surprise is half the fun...especially when you don't like what you get. :lol:

[Nieninque]

I like the surprise.
Nothing worse than getting something wrapped up and knowing whats inside it already.

Unless it's really shit. Then you dont have that genuine look of disappointment on your face when you open it because you already know not to be excited about it. :)

[Artha]

I have before, but not recently. I want to be surprised.

[Brattt8525]

I have always been a peeker, and always will be. It is not that I don't like surprises, I just can't stand not knowing!

[Sean]

Never intentionally. I have stumbled on gifts accidentally before.

[Drew2]

Originally posted by Brattt8525
I have always been a peeker, and always will be. It is not that I don't like surprises, I just can't stand not knowing!

rofl me too.

[The Cat In The Hat]

I think I peeked once when I was younger, but generally I like the suprise and the feeling of wanting to rip my hair out because im so curious.

[Kainen]

I don't peek.. but I'll shake/examine a package to see if I can determine what it is. Our family is terribly creative when wrapping gifts so it's unlikely that I will find out.. but it's fun to try.

[Stunseed]

< so it's unlikely that I will find out. >

If it's the lumpy one, it's the sock/boxers gift....Put that up front, because ending x-mas with reindeer covered socks blows.

I always know what I want. When I get a gift, it is the same thing that I have gotten for the past few years.. BEST BUY GIFT CARD

- Arkans

[Kainen]

Originally posted by Stunseed
< so it's unlikely that I will find out. >

If it's the lumpy one, it's the sock/boxers gift....Put that up front, because ending x-mas with reindeer covered socks blows.

:lol: no.. I meant that they are good at putting stuff in differant containers that what it came in.. that sort of thing. Man.. and they best not buy me boxers.

[Stunseed]

Women who wear boxers are hawt. :smilegrin:

I'd buy mine boxers if I hadn't already spoiled her without mercy.

[Edited on 12-18-2004 by Stunseed]

[Kainen]

Originally posted by Stunseed
Women who wear boxers are hawt. :smilegrin:

I'd buy mine boxers if I hadn't already spoiled her without mercy.

[Edited on 12-18-2004 by Stunseed]

:lol: I am so NOT hawt...

On Topic.. I bought my brother hot wheels cars for christmas one year and wrapped them in a box that some trash bags came in.

[RUSHINGWATER]

my family was alway in the habit of creative wrapping.one year my brother gave me a huge box he had filled with old nasty shoes the family had been tossing.turned out he taped a bracelet to the side of the box.it`s been years but i still wear that bracelet ,and search each gift with great care.

[Eiderfleur]

Not really about me but my favourite aunt....

A little background, my aunt LOVES Ramen noodles, its easy to cook, doesn't take much time and very little faffing about.

Anyway, one Christmas I remember my grandma placing a packet of Ramen Noodles in a box and giving it to my aunt.

She opened the box and was quitely chortling about the fact she had received one packet of ramen, she honestly thought that was all she was getting from her mom and went to hug her for the "gift" when my granda was all like "You haven't finished unwrapping my gift" There was some cash in the bottom of the box. hehe

[Fallen]

...Anyone else not get presents anymore?

[Brattt8525]

My mom gives me $100.00 at Christmas, buys the kids toys and clothes and asks me what I would like as a family gift. This year I told could you get me a portable dvd player so the kids have something to watch on the flight back to Texas and the wait in the terminal. She was like ok honey but that isn't a gift for you, what do you want I told her the fact that the kids will be semi quiet was all the gift I needed on the way home.

[AnticorRifling]

Yeah I don't care if I get anything or not so most of the time my family doesn't get me anything. Gift giving is for the kids I just show up for food, football and card games.

[Vesi]

Originally posted by Fallen
...Anyone else not get presents anymore?


<raises her hand>

P. S. When I did I never peeked.

edit to add the P. S.

[Edited on 12-18-2004 by Vesi]

[HarmNone]

My family pools our Christmas gift money and takes turns deciding to what worthy cause the money will go. I guess that would count as not getting a present; although, we all get a good feeling from doing it.

[Mini-Spir]

In the past I've peeked, I upwrapped it enough for me to figure out what it is, then wrapped it back up.

Originally posted by HarmNone
My family pools our Christmas gift money and takes turns deciding to what worthy cause the money will go. I guess that would count as not getting a present; although, we all get a good feeling from doing it.


........

You've GOT to be kidding me.

- Arkans

[Darnell]

Originally posted by Arkans

Originally posted by HarmNone
My family pools our Christmas gift money and takes turns deciding to what worthy cause the money will go. I guess that would count as not getting a present; although, we all get a good feeling from doing it.


........

You've GOT to be kidding me.

- Arkans

I saw THAT coming from a mile away.

D
"I usually just tell my wife not to worry about it, then go buy something for myself and say it's her gift to me"

[HarmNone]

Originally posted by Arkans

Originally posted by HarmNone
My family pools our Christmas gift money and takes turns deciding to what worthy cause the money will go. I guess that would count as not getting a present; although, we all get a good feeling from doing it.


........

You've GOT to be kidding me.

- Arkans

Why do I HAVE to be kidding you? We've done that for years.

I'm not a Christian. I'm a Pagan. Some of my family members are Christian, some are Atheist, some are Pagan, some are...whatever. We all have one thing in common, however. If we want something, we get it when we want it. What the heck would you give people who generally have whatever they want or need?

We figure, there are a lot of better things to do with the money we'd spend buying each other things we don't really need. So far, it's worked very nicely for us.

[Nieninque]

I think its cool

Congratulations on being a pagan? What does that have to do with anything? Why should I care about your religion? Why the need to throw it in my face? This isn't the inquisition and I am not making you repent for the religion you choose.

I think the idea is a bit silly to donate like that. Sometimes it is great to be with family and swap gifts, not only that, but I think we all pay enough in taxes to support other people.

I just find it silly and something I'd never do (donating MY Christmas gifts) to some group of people that wouldn't help me. Bleh.

- Arkans

[Snapp]

Well we all know you're the epitome of selfish, Arkans. You've made that quite clear before.

[Edited on 12-19-2004 by Snapp]

[Nieninque]

Originally posted by Arkans
Congratulations on being a pagan? What does that have to do with anything? Why should I care about your religion? Why the need to throw it in my face? This isn't the inquisition and I am not making you repent for the religion you choose.

I think the idea is a bit silly to donate like that. Sometimes it is great to be with family and swap gifts, not only that, but I think we all pay enough in taxes to support other people.

I just find it silly and something I'd never do (donating MY Christmas gifts) to some group of people that wouldn't help me. Bleh.

- Arkans

Thats because you are materialistic...and pretty self-centred.

Harmnone is doing the swapping thing by giving it to someone who needs it rather than someone who doesnt.

She isnt rubbing anyone's face in it either. She responded to a question.

[HarmNone]

The reason I pointed out that I'm Pagan, Arkans, is because Christmas is a Christian holiday, and one that I, personally, do not celebrate, per se. Those family members who are not Christian do, however, join the Christian members to celebrate this holiday, as it is an important one for them.

If you find what we do silly, that is certainly your right. What you might think holds no import with me, if the truth be told.

[Nieninque]

Originally posted by HarmNone
The reason I pointed out that I'm Pagan, Arkans, is because Christmas is a Christian holiday, and one that I, personally, do not celebrate, per se. Those family members who are not Christian do, however, join the Christian members to celebrate this holiday, as it is an important one for them.



There is also pagan celebrations though at this time of year, right?
Like winter solstice.
I was also led to believe that the christmas tree thing was stolen from a Pagan festival. Is that right?

[HarmNone]

Yes, there are Pagan celebrations that take place during this time of year, as well. And yes, the idea of the Christmas tree was taken from Pagan custom. :)

[Nieninque]

I wanna be a pagan when I grow up

[HarmNone]

Blessed be, Nieninque, and welcome to the paths. :)

[BrainSucky]

I only know beforehand if I happen to figure out what the box size/shape would hint at, or if I blatantly stumble upon them before they are given.

Most of the time, I would just prefer money to actual gifts. But that's not really as entertaining to the giver, I suppose.

[BrainSucky]

Originally posted by Nieninque

There is also pagan celebrations though at this time of year, right?
Like winter solstice.
I was also led to believe that the christmas tree thing was stolen from a Pagan festival. Is that right?

Technically, "pagan" refers to any belief style that is not Christian. It is just a modern usage to refer to most Wiccan and earth religions as pagan or neo-pagan.

Christianity itself is comrpised of a vast many different religions. When it was first devised, Christianity had to compete to become a popular enough religion, so it borrowed from many traditions in order to appeal to as many as possible. Many of the festival times in it mirror those in other religions. You have Christmas instead of the winter solstice celebrations and Easter around the same general time frame as the spring equinox. To appease the polytheistic religions, there are a number of saints of varying degrees of power that offer guidance to different areas and aspects of life. There is also the Trinity for these same reasons, too; three has long been a sacred number, and the Trinity embodies the basic concept of a Male-Female-Neutral deity. For the goddess religions, the Virgin Mary offers enough of a female figurehead that they could focus on her instead of merely God or Jesus.

I'd say that Christianity has done fairly well to become a major religious power in our current world, given how widespread this once-tiny cult has become. Jesus is quite argueably the best salesman in history.

Right, but exchanging gifts with family doesn't really mean it has to be Christmas related. I never stated anything with Christmas, just that donating to a bunch of already funded charities was a bit silly.

There is nothing wrong with getting something "you don't need" at least once a year. Whether it has religious overtones or not. The very idea is jarring to me. Feh, no one donated shit to me when I was down on my luck anyway. Go government funding! Go tax dollars!

- Arkans

[Nieninque]

Originally posted by BrainSucky


Christianity itself is comrpised of a vast many different religions. When it was first devised, Christianity had to compete to become a popular enough religion, so it borrowed from many traditions in order to appeal to as many as possible.


That reminds me so much of the Life of Brian.

"He's making it up as he's going along!"

[HarmNone]

Originally posted by Arkans
Right, but exchanging gifts with family doesn't really mean it has to be Christmas related. I never stated anything with Christmas, just that donating to a bunch of already funded charities was a bit silly.

There is nothing wrong with getting something "you don't need" at least once a year. Whether it has religious overtones or not. The very idea is jarring to me. Feh, no one donated shit to me when I was down on my luck anyway. Go government funding! Go tax dollars!

- Arkans

And how is it that you are in the know about the causes to which we donate? How do you know of their funding?

Answer.......you don't know shit!

So you're going to tell me that the orginization will be going under without your funding? In fact, I have this feeling, that the orginization will be doing just fine without your donation. Hrm....

- Arkans

[HarmNone]

Who said anything about organizations, Arkans? I believe I used the term "worthy cause".

[Nieninque]

Originally posted by Arkans

Right, but exchanging gifts with family doesn't really mean it has to be Christmas related.

Which also means it doesnt have to be at Christmas.


I never stated anything with Christmas, just that donating to a bunch of already funded charities was a bit silly.


The fact that they are still charities, means they aren't being donated to enough.


There is nothing wrong with getting something "you don't need" at least once a year. Whether it has religious overtones or not. The very idea is jarring to me. Feh, no one donated shit to me when I was down on my luck anyway. Go government funding! Go tax dollars!

- Arkans

You're so fucking juvenile sometimes...

Timing was never really the important part of my statement at all.

Guess what, Nein? Nobody is donated to enough and nobody ever has enough money. That is a fact.

If by juvenile you mean completely and 100% correct, you're right.

- Arkans

Okay, we are so playing semantics now. Unless you are donating money to some family or some person, it is going to an orginization. That is the nature of the beast. Somebody needs to process that money.

- Arkans

Players' Corner Forums » Off-Topic » Are you a peeker? »

So I got this pair of binoculars.. :howudoing:

[Nieninque]

Originally posted by Arkans

Guess what, Nein? Nobody is donated to enough and nobody ever has enough money. That is a fact.

Some people dont need to be donated to. Some people/causes have the opportunities to make their own way in life. Sadly, that is not the case for all...


If by juvenile you mean completely and 100% correct, you're right.

- Arkans

No. By juvenile, I mean immature, egotistical, ego-centric wanker, who cant see Christmas as being more than "I WANT MY PRESENTS!!!!1111one"

I am still right.

[HarmNone]

Originally posted by Arkans
Okay, we are so playing semantics now. Unless you are donating money to some family or some person, it is going to an orginization. That is the nature of the beast. Somebody needs to process that money.

- Arkans

In most cases, our donations do, in fact, go to a family, or to a local cause that is poorly funded, Arkans. You have stumbled upon the truth. Congratulations. :yawn:

Once again, that person or group of people are not going to be made or broken by your donation or lack there of.

While presents are a part of my Christmas (GO JC!), that does not mean that they are central. I frankly enjoy spending time with my family, eating a lot of poultry, and generally having a fun time.

This does not mean that they play a minor role. I like giving and recieving gifts. I think we can all agree on that. Does not mean it makes me egotistical, it makes me question really, "WHY?". It seems sort of pointless to me.

- Arkans

[HarmNone]

That may be, Arkans. It is not, however, pointless to us. It is what we prefer to do. Your preferences are up to you. I've said nothing detrimental about them.

That is your choice not to say anything about my preferences, you are free to critique me in anyway you want. These boards are about expressing different opinions (along with other things) and that is what I will do. It is just a simple critique and hardly anything against you personally.

- Arkans

[Nieninque]

Originally posted by Arkans
That is your choice not to say anything about my preferences, you are free to critique me in anyway you want. These boards are about expressing different opinions (along with other things) and that is what I will do. It is just a simple critique and hardly anything against you personally.

- Arkans

Except for the part where you started this off by saying "You are kidding me" to HN's post, and then started laying into her.

Because I find that part just about unbelievable. Where did I personally attack her or her religion? I just questioned her beliefs and actions. I am sorry that you cannot recognize the difference.

- Arkans

[Nieninque]

Originally posted by Arkans
Because I find that part just about unbelievable. Where did I personally attack her or her religion?
- Arkans


Previously posted by the resident right-wing extremist that isnt Ben
Congratulations on being a pagan? What does that have to do with anything? Why should I care about your religion? Why the need to throw it in my face?

That's attacking her how? Looks to me like it is questioning why she had to wave her religion around. Feel free to try again though.

- Arkans

[Nieninque]

How was she waving it around again?

By bringing it up randomly and being all like.. "GUESS WHAT IM PAGAN!!!" when my comment had nothing to do with her paganism.

- Arkans

Yeah, well I'm an amoeba.

[HarmNone]

Originally posted by Arkans
That is your choice not to say anything about my preferences, you are free to critique me in anyway you want. These boards are about expressing different opinions (along with other things) and that is what I will do. It is just a simple critique and hardly anything against you personally.

- Arkans

Umm...Arkans? I didn't take it personally. Nothing you could possibly say could have any personal impact on me.

That was more meant for Neininque who is hell bent on making this personal by throwing insults.

- Arkans

[HarmNone]

Ahh. I must have misconstrued. I was going on the first sentence of your post, which mentioned my not questioning your preferences. That gave me to believe that the post was meant for me.

First part was meant towards you. Was in response to you saying you said nothing detrimental about my beliefs (this is true), but I failed to specify that the last part was for Neininque.

- Arkans

[Latrinsorm]

Originally posted by BrainSucky
Jesus is quite argueably the best salesman in history.I'd say Paul is the guy you're looking for. Jesus was too contrary.
Originally posted by Nieninque
Previously posted by the resident right-wing extremist that isnt Ben I NEVER SAID.... oh, you mean Arkans. NM.

[Meges]

Okay, let me get this straight and if I am wrong, then I simply misinterpreted the gist of your post(s):

Once a year, instead of spending money on yourselves, you and your family pool together all the money that would have paid for so-called Christmas gifts and help a family or an organization that helps people? Yet, the rest of the year you spend your money on yourselves while ignoring needy people? Also, you think that helping someone out once a year while ignoring her the rest of the year is a great cause? Is that accurate or am I reading too much into what you have posted thus far?

Ignore the rest if my previous thoughts were not accurate, but if they were accurate, then I am glad this once a year activity makes you feel good about yourselves for another whole year. Who knows, as a result of your generosity, maybe other people will think highly of you as well. Especially since you are in a situation where you already have everything you could possibly want or need.

Meges

PS This post was not intended to be a flame. While I know a few will see it as one, it is simply what I thought when I read through the series of posts exchanged between a few other posters. I just want to know if my thoughts were wrong or right. Who else thought this as well and will actually admit to it, or am I overly pessimistic of people when they share their good deeds publicly?

PPS By the way, I do not peek. Oh, and do have a wonderful Christmas.

[Artha]

It's cooler to donate once a year than to never donate at all.

[HarmNone]

Heh. No, Meges. That's not what I meant, at all. I donate to charity through my work. A percentage of my income goes to that purpose. Additionally, throughout the year, we all try to help where we can, with local charities, by donating both time and funds.

We are very fortunate. Our needs are met, and we can have most of the things we really want. None of us must go hungry, or do without the basics. In a perfect world, that would be true for everyone. Sadly, it is not.

The tradition we follow at this time of the year is one that we developed some years ago. We were discussing how difficult it was to figure out what the heck to get everybody. The upshot of that discussion was that we all felt we had what we wanted and needed, but many did not. So, we decided to make our Christmas gifts to others, rather than to ourselves. It's as simple as that.

My original post was made in response to Fallen's post, in which he asked if anybody else no longer got presents for Christmas.

[Edited on 12-19-2004 by HarmNone]

Sure it is better than never, I just think it is weird.

- Arkans

[HarmNone]

Hee! I've never claimed to be anything other than weird, Arkans!:weird:

[Brattt8525]

HN you inspire me to give more, DAMN YOU WOMAN!

:cheers:

[Meges]

At least you are not a once-a-year giver attempting to sooth your own soul.

Meges

[HarmNone]

Heh. Well, one side benefit, Brattt, is that we don't have to figure out what to get for everyone! This year, it's grandmother's turn to decide where our money goes, so I don't even have to think about it! Wheeeee!

[HarmNone]

Originally posted by Meges
At least you are not a once-a-year giver attempting to sooth your own soul.

Meges

No, Meges, I'm not. I don't think that kind of thing would soothe anyone's soul.

[Nieninque]

Originally posted by Arkans
By bringing it up randomly and being all like.. "GUESS WHAT IM PAGAN!!!" when my comment had nothing to do with her paganism.

- Arkans

Erm....guess what?

You are not the only person that posts here.
You are not the most important person that posts here.
Not everyone that posts here is responding to you.


Originally posted by Fallen
...Anyone else not get presents anymore?


Originally posted by HarmNone
My family pools our Christmas gift money and takes turns deciding to what worthy cause the money will go. I guess that would count as not getting a present; although, we all get a good feeling from doing it.


Originally posted by Arkans

........

You've GOT to be kidding me.

- Arkans


Originally posted by HarmNone

Why do I HAVE to be kidding you? We've done that for years.

I'm not a Christian. I'm a Pagan. Some of my family members are Christian, some are Atheist, some are Pagan, some are...whatever. We all have one thing in common, however. If we want something, we get it when we want it. What the heck would you give people who generally have whatever they want or need?

We figure, there are a lot of better things to do with the money we'd spend buying each other things we don't really need. So far, it's worked very nicely for us.

Translation: Explanation of why she celebrates the way she does.

You questioned her actions. She explained them. pretty simple really.

What the fuck Neininque?

Seriously, are you high on crack, drunk or just fucking stupid? You obviously have little to no reading comprehension. You are obviously a bigger troll than I am. You are obviously more juvenile than I could even on my silliest days, and you definatly have some kind of fucking problem. Do us all a favor and shut up. Forever. If life was a video game, you'd get the "GAME OVER" screen.

- Arkans

[Nieninque]

Riiiiiight.
You take off at HN for a comment she made to someone else.
I point out why you are stupid.
You think I am at fault.
Fucking nazis

ROFL

I question the way someone does things and keep it civil, but you come out with the flames. This why you are one of the biggest trolls on these boards. This is what you are fault of. Being fucking stupid when someone questions something.

The only stupidity you pointed out was your own. Frankly, I wish I was a Nazi in power in Europe. I'd invade England first to rid this world of stupidity such as yours. Thank Christ you live over there and don't pollute our gene pool.

- Arkans

Hear me!

Woah guys, slow down.

Now, my friends, let us smoke the peace pipe together so there may be only peace and good will between us.

[Brattt8525]

Originally posted by Stanley Burrell
Hear me!

Woah guys, slow down.

Now, my friends, let us smoke the peace pipe together so there may be only peace and good will between us.

You can always make me laugh, I appreciate that.

Seems some peoples condenscending attitudes are running amuck today. Funniest part is I have been called a hyprocrite and patronizing, I have been far out done and if I wasn't so tired I might actually give a shit.

No, some people are just fucking trolls and suck at life so bad. Luckily, it entertains me to flame people like that.

- Arkans

[The Korean]

I R talented gift shaker. Very helpful for white elephant-type gift exchanges.

[Divinity]

Originally posted by Kainen
I don't peek.. but I'll shake/examine a package to see if I can determine what it is. Our family is terribly creative when wrapping gifts so it's unlikely that I will find out.. but it's fun to try.

I'm the same way. My family will use rocks, multiple boxes of different shapes and sizes. Anything to throw each other off. It has gotten pretty ridiculous lately.

I love the fun of it though. It also guards against peekers. :P

[DeV]

I don't peek because I like being surprised. Also, very cool what HN and her family do for the holiday.