Educating the Wheelers

One of our goals this Christmas was to minimize our deadweight loss, meaning we didn’t want to waste money on gifts that people didn’t want or enjoy. If we were going to spend 20 dollars on a gift, we were aiming for 20 dollars — or more! — worth of enjoyment from the recipient. Just think of how many 20 dollar gifts you’ve given or received that have produced maybe 10 dollars worth of enjoyment. Or 5. Or 0. Or even gone negative!

One of the ways in which we did this was asking people what they wanted. I know, I know, it ruins the “fun” and and “spirit” and “romance” of the whole thing … on the other hand, you’re not flushing money down the toilet. My husband and I picked out and purchased our own Christmas presents this year (though we did each pick something out small as a surprise for each other, too.)

Next, I picked out things that would help them complete a set or collection. (Though you have to be careful with this. You can get tagged as a “Oh, she likes frogs!” and be getting unwanted frogs for the rest of your life. Don’t want to help perpetuate that.)

Or, I picked out something that I had heard the person talk about earlier in the year and made a mental note of it. (On the other hand, you have to be careful on this front, too. My mom has been complaining all year about never having a clean pair of socks, and she must have received about 30 pairs of socks for Christmas from me and a few other people. I guess I’m not the only person who heard about the Sock Situation.)

Finally, if I did pick something out on my own, I tried to make it inexpensive or cash.

Not the most romantic Christmas ever, but we spent less than we normally do, and the enjoyment level from everyone involved seemed just as high, if not higher! I’d call it a success.