Matchbox gifts for the playa

klondike_bar · Post by **klondike_bar** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 6:10 pm

I spent the last 2 days (i know-huge thought process) thinking about what would be a fun contribution to the gift economy.

my solution was in part spawned by a visit to the playazon site... Matchboxes

I figure that ordering a few thousand matchboxes with something along the lines of "burning man 2009 )'( Evolution: A tangled Bank" would be awesome to hand out/trade across the playa.

however, these boxes require minimum orders in the thousands typically, and the price is between 100-130$ per thousand depending on amount and style.

obviously, i dont plan to spend hundreds on playa shwag, but would gladly contribute if others are willing to join in on this movement to put thousands of these across the desert.

anyone interested? It would only be about 10 cents for what many would consider priceless....

bigbluedoggy · Post by **bigbluedoggy** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 6:24 pm

Matches = MOOP. It's been done though. We still have boxes of Bubble Bar matchbooks around from 2006. And $100 - $130 is really not a lot when it comes to some sort of gifting.

SonOfUgly · Post by **SonOfUgly** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 6:25 pm

sounds like a shit load of MOOP just waiting to happen

klondike_bar · Post by **klondike_bar** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 7:14 pm

really? But the pyros must be burning with matches of thier own anyways, right?

I like the idea, but now that you mention i can see it could create matchstick moop. crud....

any good suggestions of gifts, ideally that old memory value?

Barbie · Post by **Barbie** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 7:31 pm

I collect matches soooooooo I love the idea!!! But ya know you could always DO lighters- I love my lighter I got a couple years ago, and the warning on the back says Bunnies easily caatch fire....

SonOfUgly · Post by **SonOfUgly** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 7:36 pm

a gift dosnt have to be something physical that you give, but can be an act of kindness, a hug, helping someone set their tent up...

dont just get something to pass out random crap to random people, but to give to someone that you had a connection with and have it be just one more reminder of you..

FrostyMan · Post by **FrostyMan** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 7:37 pm

I, unfortunately, will still be a virgin until 2010, so all my advice comes from what I have gleaned off the website and such for the last few months. Hope I'm not talking outta my ass here but here goes.

As far as gifting goes (any not JUST on the playa either) things with a personal touch have 100X more weight than anything mass produced. In a previous job I made baskets. (yes, people do that for a living

) I've picked it back up recently as a hobby. Oddly enough, I don't really like having a bunch of them around my house so I have been giving them away. People's mouths drop, they say how nice they are, and how they feel bad and want to give me money for them and basically go bat-shit for some reason. I suppose because something handmade from scratch has such a personal aspect to it (and I've seen comparable baskets sell on ebay for $500 but w/e). I know this sounds like a bunch of hippy horse shit, but when you make something there is a part of you in it. (EWWW! )

And people will think of YOU when they look at it and not really the object itself. That's what gifting will mean for me when I get to BM.
And gifting doesn't have to be a physical object. A blast from a Super Soaker filled with melted ice sounds like it would be a really nice gift in that environment.
Ummm, 1000s of matches in the back of a car in a hot, dry place like that...you don't smoke do you?

P.S. Veteran Burners feel free to slap my dick for acting like I know what I am talking about

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 7:46 pm

Mass produced is fine, but if you're going to have custom printing done, why not try to come up with something more personal?

Barbie · Post by **Barbie** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 7:47 pm

My favorite gifts to give are fron the thrift shops. When I'm out looking for Burn Outfits; I usally pick up stuff that is to small or to big for ME BUT I know someone will LOVE LOVE LOVE On the Playa.

klondike_bar · Post by **klondike_bar** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 7:55 pm

I understand the personal thing. And while I will be bestowing kindness upon everyone around me as often as possible, physical memories would be nice to give out as well.

custom lighters are pricy, even in bulk. I saw a box of 500 i think for like 400-600$.

the interesting thing of cheap bulk matchboxes is to see how far they will travel. If you distribute 1000's of them, how many do you think will find homes in europe, asia, canada, etc?

any other suggestions? Id love to distribute something that has the burning man logo on it ideally.

FrostyMan · Post by **FrostyMan** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 8:07 pm

I was thinking of for '10 making a metric shiton of either leather or metal pendants with the Burning Man logo branded or stamped on them with a nice little saying on the back. You can borrow the idea for '09. But if you want something you can just order...Hmm let me sleep on that. I gotta be up for work in 4 hrs....

klondike_bar · Post by **klondike_bar** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 8:43 pm

I am willing to make things as well, but i want a few main stipulations:

1) if handmade, it must be relatively simple. Im artistically defunct...
2) if in large quantities i want something memorable, not a little trinket
3) if possible, mass production of small, collectible yet useful items
4) as well as a few real gifts for those i become good friends with.

any ideas? Im a burn virgin, so i cant really tell whats good or not

maybe a dozen dollar-store garbage recptacles painted colourfully or with a BM logo? would those be useful?

Post by **mdmf007** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 8:50 pm

I like matchbooks, as far as moop - they are cardboard and a staple. they would dissolve in a seasons rain.

motskyroonmatick · Post by **motskyroonmatick** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 8:52 pm

I like matches. I don't really use them but have some creative ones from burning man that light me up every time I run in to them around the house or shop.
It's the person who MOOPs not the matches.

Good luck with you gift making.

bigbluedoggy · Post by **bigbluedoggy** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 9:38 pm

Hi again Klondike... 32 posts so far in your first day on eplaya... not bad! My advice is to not worry about creating or providing some physical gift for your first year, but rather focus on the essentials of your camping trip in the desert. If you find yourself all set to go and still have energy to create or provide something, what's been said already on here is very valid. Some of the best playa "gifts" have nothing to do with "stuff". While I have enjoyed being gifted with various and sundry items for whatever reason (or none), it really means so much more when there's a memory attached to whatever it is. At least half of what I am gifted I usually pass on to other folks, as I hate to see those gifts end up in the dresser drawer like so many before them. The last couple of years I've brought blinkies and stuff to gift away but most of the time I forget to break them out and carry them around. On burn night this last year I broke into an entire case of LED necklaces I'd forgotten to get out and gave them to everyone in our camp and anyone nearby to wear. The truth is, our theme camp is the real gift we bring to the playa and I get far greater joy out of seeing folks appreciate what we do than I do out of handing out some battery operated landfill fodder. The term "gift" means many, many things. If you are only picturing a physical item with a bow on it then give it some more consideration. The real gift you are giving your first year is to yourself, by showing up at Burning Man. Enjoy it!

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 9:28 am

Matchbooks don't "dissolve" any better than the tons of other crap you people leave behind. Jesus H Fuckstick, the eplaya makes me crazy.

How about you save your money and have a nice big rubber stamp made of a bottle rocket, and stamp people in the ass?

klondike_bar · Post by **klondike_bar** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 12:40 pm

haha, well i got 280 days (minus travel) to create some form of gifts, so no real hurry.

related note: I have a habit of letting common sense overwhelm my spontanuity in the past (iv meant to eurotrip twice now, and had the resources, but didnt)

So ive become proactive. I mean, if i am a online member, and get my ticket on the first day of sale (its been confirmed as a christmas gift), than any and all common sense and restraint cannot hold me back!

See you on the playa! BLC or bust

bigbluedoggy · Post by **bigbluedoggy** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 2:05 pm

uh... it's BRC. I'll look forward to seeing you there, with or without matchbooks.

Post by **mdmf007** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 3:34 pm

Bob wrote:Matchbooks don't "dissolve" any better than the tons of other crap you people leave behind. Jesus H Fuckstick, the eplaya makes me crazy.

How about you save your money and have a nice big rubber stamp made of a bottle rocket, and stamp people in the ass?

your telling me cardboard doesnt dissolve in the elements? doesnt disappear like a pile of sugar in rain, but cardboard sure disappears quickly.

You concerned about MOOP? i suggest you drive to the North East corner of the Blackrock playa - all the moop you want. Plastic bits, paper and embers in october, by march - embers and plastic bits only.

klondike_bar · Post by **klondike_bar** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 3:49 pm

bigbluedoggy wrote:uh... it's BRC. I'll look forward to seeing you there, with or without matchbooks.

woops, brain fart

cullen · Post by **cullen** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 4:08 pm

i think i'm just gonna bring a case of liquor and share it with the people who discover my camp.

Boijoy · Post by **Boijoy** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 1:35 pm

Bob.. you may have stumbled onto a pretty good idea there. How about ordering a rubber stamp w/ the BM logo.. or something else.. and bring an ink pad and stamp temporary tattoos on people.

I would like that. AND you might get to touch a boobie !!

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 6:57 am

I want Mattel to make "Matchbox" versions of classic mutant vehicles.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 7:23 am

What happened to Lesney?

Post by **Sham** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 8:01 am

This whole gifting thing can get confusing for first timers. Let me try to explain.
Gifts are not expected nor are they brought to be bartered. It evolved from the no commerce idea. If you have something to share, then do it without expecting something in return. Help fix a broken bike, help set up a tent, do something that will help others.
If you want to be creative, bring some extra breakfast items to center camp and offer them to hungry people in the morning.
The idea of buying things just to give away is only going to make a bunch of junk that people need to dispose of later.
A rubber stamp is a great idea for a gift. you can get creative and then go to the local office supply store and have it made for you. If you work at a machine shop, make something with the BM logo and gift that. You can get really creative with your idea. Something unusual to share with the community.
Whatever you do, just be sure that it's something that you would want to get for yourself. No plastic whistles or cheap toys.

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 3:56 pm

robotland wrote:I want Mattel to make "Matchbox" versions of classic mutant vehicles.

That would be totally awesome.

How about little miniature t-rex's with glowing eyes?

BTW, where you been? Wife make you clean out all the aluminum from the spare room?

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 4:01 pm

klondike_bar wrote:I am willing to make things as well, but i want a few main stipulations:

1) if handmade, it must be relatively simple. Im artistically defunct...
2) if in large quantities i want something memorable, not a little trinket
3) if possible, mass production of small, collectible yet useful items
4) as well as a few real gifts for those i become good friends with.

any ideas? Im a burn virgin, so i cant really tell whats good or not

maybe a dozen dollar-store garbage recptacles painted colourfully or with a BM logo? would those be useful?

How about customized playing cards? You can have them made with any picture or design that you submit to them. Ive had them done before, not for the burn but for a friend. You could gift a card per person. I dont think it cost me maybe 10 bucks for a deck last Christmas.

Thats right, I said Christmas, no happy holiday's here, screw the pc popo's.

Merry Christmas all you fellow weirdo's

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 7:06 pm

Wait a minute. How about printing labels of the right size, or close to it, with ...
Oh fuck, I"m sure it's been said and my brain didnlt absorb it.

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 8:59 pm

theCryptofishist wrote:Wait a minute. How about printing labels of the right size, or close to it, with ...
Oh fuck, I"m sure it's been said and my brain didnlt absorb it.

How about sprinkling your brain with salt? That may help it absorb more knowledge. Either that, or melting it like it did to the snails when I was stationed overseas, in which case, nevermind

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 4:32 am

Someone should make name tags.
Tha would be a handy gift.