I just want to set the record straight about something that’s been weighing heavily on my mind for years now. Yes, years. A stigma seems to exist surrounding the concept of holiday gift sets. I admit – I’m guilty of feeling it too. When I need to purchase a gift for someone, I always steer clear of that section at Walmart and Target that is populated with boxes of sausage and cheese, or body wash, or some other novelty item. And, I’ve heard from plenty others that they approach the gift-giving season the same way.
If I had to take a guess at the psychology behind this phenomenon, I’d say that it probably feels thoughtless to some. It’s a cheat code, right? Big retail is telling us “this is what you should get for that person that’s hard to buy for this year!” If it’s the thought that counts, these gift sets eliminate thought altogether. So, what counts in that scenario…is nothing.
But, when I’m just piddling around a store – I always…always…go down that holiday gift aisle at Christmastime. And, I’m lookin’ at the sausage and cheese. I’m lookin’ at the hot sauce sets…the barbecue sauce sets…the cookie mixes…and the body washes….the whole damn lot! And, I’m thinkin’ to myself, “man, this is pretty cool. I would enjoy these.“
I was in need of a new travel bag last year – so, when my mother asked what I wanted for Christmas, I pointed to this gift set from Every Man Jack. It had deodorant, body wash, and a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner. All things that I use. All things that I spend money on, and I inevitably get angry when I see the current price of said things that I spend money on. Go in your bathroom and tell me the state of your current travel bag. You tellin’ me you couldn’t use a new one? Do you LOVE dedicating time to going to Target or Walmart and buying shampoo? Even remembering to order your body wash on Amazon counts as a chore! You’re telling me you wouldn’t want to rid yourselves of those inconveniences? This gift from my mother solved a lot of inconveniences for me, so I thought it was time to take a stand for anyone who might feel the same way.
Don’t sleep on the gift sets. Let’s erase the stigma. These things rule.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, second on Football & Other F Words, analyst for Stacking The Inbox, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, the NFL Draft, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
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