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I know this is a very personal thing, and the value of a gift is as much in the heart of the giver as the hand of the receiver. I have been gifted extremely useful items, like goggles and food, as well as completely gratuitous schwag.
I constantly seem to acquire items ...clothes, accessories,jewelry, giftables, that mean nothing to me. ... Gifts, impulse shopping, odd finds, whatever. I bring them to the playa (and other festivals), and most of it, I have managed to gift away to someone who really wanted that hat, or belly ring, or box of baby wipes, etc. It feels really good to know that the object found a good home.
How do you gift meaningfully?
I constantly seem to acquire items ...clothes, accessories,jewelry, giftables, that mean nothing to me. ... Gifts, impulse shopping, odd finds, whatever. I bring them to the playa (and other festivals), and most of it, I have managed to gift away to someone who really wanted that hat, or belly ring, or box of baby wipes, etc. It feels really good to know that the object found a good home.
How do you gift meaningfully?
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New York City
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Re: gifting--how do you give it meaning?
Sat, August 22, 2009 - 2:15 PM>How do you gift meaningfully?
I just mostly gift my time and energy as a volunteer (Greeter! Party starts at Greeters!!!).
Also, I do end up sometimes riding around out to the deeper playa with a small cooler full of cold nonalcoholic drinks, earlier in the week while the artists are setting up. A cold drink is a great way to say thanks to folks who bust ass to bring out art.
I bring a few handmade tiny things that I might or might not give away..... sometimes if I've had a really cool conversation with someone and it seems like the right thing to do and they might appreciate it, or sometimes as thanks to someone who's providing something super awesome (different than Barter, I stay away from the camps who tend to DEMAND schwag/whatever in exchange for their services- there's always a few!). -
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Re: gifting--how do you give it meaning?
Sat, August 22, 2009 - 4:52 PMI think that the intention counts for a lot. One very nice way to give on the playa (or anywhere else) is to pay attention to people's needs. If you see a hot and thirsty person then a offer a cool drink. If you see someone struggling to put up a structure then offer a helping hand. If someone needs to vent then give a sympathetic ear.
Last year I gave away a tie-dyed skirt, some food, colorful lights for nighttime illumination, and some other material items. The most important giving, though, was when I gave time.
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Re: gifting--how do you give it meaning?
Sat, August 22, 2009 - 7:03 PMI think that everyone here is on the same page. It is all about helping someone in need with water, blinkies, wet wipes, a spritz of water as they ride by on their bike and I could list things for hours! I love how everyone is so thoughtful. If you can think it up to gift it, then someone will be there to appreciate it.
One year I gave out cookies and muffins at Center Camp each morning for folks to have with their coffee. That was really fun! One woman gave me in return the coolest little plastic toy. It is of this creature, top half woman, bottom half spider and she reminds me of the B horror movies from the '50's and 60's with her blond flip-style hair-do! I love her! She is perched atop of my computer as I speak, looking down at me. She always reminds me of a happy time at Burning Man. And how cool everyone is out there! So even the random, oddball shwag can be a treasure to someone.
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Re: gifting--how do you give it meaning?
Sun, August 23, 2009 - 6:23 PMMy gifts tend to be random from the heart and often un planned... Many years ago I tried planning gifts it was disingenuous for me. But now it happens... like the virgin who saw some of my work and said how she wanted a plue and purple fure coat... I smiled and realized I already had not only the coat but matching skirt and boot covers that never quiet suited me.... I loved them but they never seemed to be mine.. I tooke her to my tent and gave her the whole set...
The most meaningful to me have been associated with a moment or meaning. The silver pendant I wear that was given to me because of my work with B.E.D, the set of burner tarot cards given to me in 2006 but were actually from 2003 from Danger ranger after a long meaningful stroll and talk, The bike basket I am still using 4 years later after two friends saw me struggling with my coat and bike, Many other gifts given in moments so we could have a better or more pleasurable time.
So I have stopped stressing about gifting all kinds of folks... I live in the moment. -
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Re: gifting--how do you give it meaning?
Tue, August 25, 2009 - 10:46 AMHow cool.
That reminds me of the gifting tradition in the Black Powder groups. If someone "takes a shine" to something, they are not infrequently stunned to find it being gifted to them.
I agreee that the most meaningful ones are associated with a moment.
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