The Buying Game

It’s that time of year. Ugh!

Simi Tolani Age: 18 Resides:: Union Square Occupation: Student How much do you plan to spend on gifts? Normally, I’d buy at least 10 gifts. But this year, I’m only getting four, about $80. And my parents don’t like getting gifts from their kids because it’s like they’re getting their own money back. What’s the worst gift you ever got? I got soaps once. They were in the shape of little animals. The worst you ever gave? One time me and my friend split on a gift for our friend, a sweater. But everyone told her it was horrible, ugly.

Janet Caracciolo Age: 27 Resides:: Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn Occupation: Student How much do you plan to spend on gifts? Probably about $100. What’s the worst gift you ever got? A self-help book from someone I didn’t really know. I didn’t need the book. I was in a good place. I exchanged it for a CD. The worst you ever gave? My father used to collect trains and once I got him this gizmo for the trains and he hated it. He stopped collecting trains because he had a bad association with it. I had no idea. It opened up a Pandora’s box.

Michael Malone Age: 30 Resides:: Long Island City, Queens Occupation: Printer How much do you plan to spend on gifts? Well, my family, we made a pact this year not to spend too much. We’re all in the same economic boat. So about $200. What’s the worst gift you ever got? One time, in the mid ’80s, I got this, sort of, dress shirt. Really horrible. It was really ’80s. And even then, that trend was kind of over. I wore it once a few years later as a kind of joke. The worst you ever gave? One year I wasn’t doing so well, and my girlfriend, she had one of those game consoles, so I got her a game. What she really wanted was a ring. It ended the relationship.

Jessica Lucaj Age: 18 Resides:: Prospect Park, Brooklyn Occupation: Student How much do you plan to spend on gifts? A little more than $300. What’s the worst gift you ever got? I got this really ugly necklace from my boyfriend this year. But he also got me a stereo. Another time, my parents gave my brother some money to buy me a present and he got me Silly Putty. He kept the rest of the money for himself. The worst you ever gave? When I was a kid I used to buy my mom this cheap perfume.

Kaz Sakuma Age: 31 Resides:: Upper West Side Occupation: Photographer How much do you plan to spend on gifts? Between like $300 and $400. What’s the worst gift you ever got? I got a golf ball from my uncle last year. And I don’t even play golf. The worst you ever gave? When I was 10 I gave my girlfriend a Christmas tape, with Christmas songs. It was pretty corny.

Stella Kakoun Age: 39 Resides:: Queens Occupation: Hairstylist How much do you plan to spend on gifts? Me and my husband, we get gifts for each other every day for a few weeks, instead of just on one day. So far, we spent about $3000 to $4000. What’s the worst gift you ever got? Probably a 45. One of those records. That’s how old I am. The worst you ever gave? I always give good gifts.

Rich Goldman Age: 32 Resides:: East Side Occupation: TV producer How much do you plan to spend on gifts? About $500. But I’m not going to be here, I’m going scuba diving with my friends. What’s the worst gift you ever got? A gym bag. It was the wrong kind of gym bag. People who know will understand what I mean. The worst you ever gave? A self-made card.

Gaius Charles Age: 46 Resides:: Fort Greene, Brooklyn Occupation: Graphic artist How much do you plan to spend on gifts? I’ve already spent over $1500. I have kids with expensive tastes. But I like this holiday. I spend it with family in my home in the Poconos. What’s the worst gift you ever got? A shirt with the sleeves too short. I wore it once. The worst gift you ever gave? A shirt with the sleeves too short.