First Time - Gift Ideas?

[Purple84]

Hi everyone! I'll introduce myself - my Playa name is Purple.

This is mine and my husbands' first time at BM. I'm excited to the max and also nervous to the point where I'm almost sick (I've had some a problem with the US border before so I always have to go through secondary screening, every single time I visit). But mostly I'm dying to partake in this very special experience.

Question - what are some gifts I can bring/give that would really make a difference? I want to give something special. Something that touches a person. What would you want to receive?

Hubby is a dentist and is giving out sample sized toothpastes. I've brought some jewelry and cute tin boxes for ashtrays or storage, as well as a few extra pairs of shades and lip balms. But I was hoping to give something that might shake someone's soul.

I'd love to hear your suggestions. Thanks - and hope to see you soon!

[Netty58]

A hug.

[Savannah]

Welcome!

My two favorite gifts that don't require much in the way of supplies:

1) Assistance when someone needs it, whether manual labor or know-how. Spot the need and fill it. For example, in 2008, my neighbor Rob swapped out my bicycle tube for me when I didn't know how. (My brand new bike came with its inner tube pre-popped!)

2) An invitation to someone who's solo, whether it's to come have a drink or a snack, or whether you're going out wandering and want to know if they'd like to come along. It can be hard out there for shy people at first, before they find their "tribe".

Two cool threads about Gifts that I found by googling eplaya gifts:

viewtopic.php?t=25128

viewtopic.php?f=69&t=34974

[Sham]

Welcome Purple.
As others have mentioned in the past, just bring an open mind and your willingness to help with anything that may be needed.
I'm not sure that the sample size toothpaste would be an appropriate thing to bring as a gift unless it was playa dust flavored. (flavoured in Canada)
Come to the city and enjoy yourselves and then get a feel of what might be a nice thing to gift there. Your idea of jewelry is a nice one.
Remember, this is not trick-or-treat and no one is expecting you to give them something.
With that said, good luck at the border and we'll look forward to seeing you in the dust.
Sham....

[BBadger]

The best gifts (and compliments) are those that are specific to a situation, especially when there is a specific need. So maybe come prepared and stay aware, and maybe an opportunity will arise.

Barring that, specially made/hand-crafted/unique gifts are also much appreciated. Food can be nice, as with entertainment, or just helping out when you can.

[Purple84]

Welcome Purple.
As others have mentioned in the past, just bring an open mind and your willingness to help with anything that may be needed.
I'm not sure that the sample size toothpaste would be an appropriate thing to bring as a gift unless it was playa dust flavored. (flavoured in Canada)
Come to the city and enjoy yourselves and then get a feel of what might be a nice thing to gift there. Your idea of jewelry is a nice one.
Remember, this is not trick-or-treat and no one is expecting you to give them something.
With that said, good luck at the border and we'll look forward to seeing you in the dust.
Sham....

Hi Sham,

Thanks for the advice!
Can I ask why you say toothpaste isn't an appropriate gift? I would have thought it was something commonly misplaced/forgotten on playa.

[Sham]

Maybe someone else on the board can take this.

[Traveller in Time]

Imagine someone walking by, you "Hi there how are you, have some toothpaste"

someone silently thinking "as if I would forget some basics" or alternative "should not have taken that (fill in potential beverage), apparently I smell"

[Sham]

Years back, we had a neighbor who was a dentist and he thought that giving tooth brushes out instead of candy was a good idea for Halloween. It was (he thought) a sensible alternative to candy. Virtually every one of those tooth brushes ended up on his front lawn. He only did that ONCE.

There may be 3 people out of 70,000 who forgot to bring toothpaste. You most likely won't find those 3 people, and the rest of the population will look at you funny.

[miri7]

Hi. Last year was my first time and I also stressed about what gift-y thing to bring. Once I got there, I realized that it wasn't about the stuff. As others said, this isn't halloween and it's not at all about exchanging trinkets and handing out random stuff.

I echo what others said - look for a need and step up to help. Come your first time, be present, engage with people, give of yourself, your time, assistance, and you'll see what I mean.

That said, I was arriving late and knew that I'd be arriving as others had been there for a while, so I brought along some yummy fresh cold juices and gave them to some of the greeters and the folks who helped me get to my camp.

Also, I stocked my freezer with popsicles (we were in an RV) and walked up and down the traffic lines handing them out during exodus. This was a very popular and much appreciated treat.

[Netty58]

Oh I don't think little toothpastes is such a shabby idea. And people do forget the basics....I forgot to bring sunscreen of all things. Was so happy when someone handed me a little tube.

This is a gift based on the thoughtfulness of someone in a particular caring profession.

Even if you don't need it right then, you may need it the next time you travel and will remember the person on the playa who handed it to you.