What Gifts Would You Like From Me?

GreyAndFuzzyIsTheWayToGo · Post by **GreyAndFuzzyIsTheWayToGo** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 2:16 pm

I was trying to think of a good thing to bring so I could hand it out or use as gift exchange.

I was thinking about bottling a whole bunch of lil plastic bottles of Jager/gin/vodka/rum/mixed drinks and using those as my trade since I am not sure of anything else that would be in high demand. Is this a good idea? I would love to hear of any gifts you've seen that you really liked.

Is food better than achohol? Like lil mini bags of chips? What about a clean pair of socks? I virgin and new and I NEED GUIDANCE PEOPLE!!!
Ok so I need guidance AND Zoloft but thats besides the point.

Chai Guy · Post by **Chai Guy** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 2:24 pm

Don't bring any "gifts", bring an open mind, bring your curiousity, bring your humanity, bring your wonderment and bring a fresh perspective.

We need those things so much more than we need necklaces, stickers and other crap.

GreyAndFuzzyIsTheWayToGo · Post by **GreyAndFuzzyIsTheWayToGo** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 2:26 pm

I understand that but what should I offer when I want to use someone's shower? I thought it was run on the barter system and I just don't want to bring any crummy barter stuffs.

Also I read from some gate gaurds and ticket takers that they wanted beer and such.. I was just going with that mind set.

Trust me I am coming with a very open mind and I plan to flutter my lil social butterfly wings all over the place :D

GreyAndFuzzyIsTheWayToGo · Post by **GreyAndFuzzyIsTheWayToGo** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 2:38 pm

Oh I just found this http://www.cieux.com/bm/2dTime.html

That sorta helped... although the items seemed more souveneer than practical.

Chai Guy · Post by **Chai Guy** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 2:52 pm

I understand that but what should I offer when I want to use someone's shower? I thought it was run on the barter system and I just don't want to bring any crummy barter stuffs.

I think if you want to use someone's shower, first ask politely (obvious, but you'd be amazed at how many people over look being polite, even on the playa). Secondly, invite that person over to your camp for a drink, or breakfast, or offer to share something that you have too much of.

I've never asked that anyone provide me with anything for using my shower or borrowing my tools or helping them with whatever.

I believe there is a lot of bad information out there about "gifting" and bartering.

For a while, I bought into it pretty heavily as well. I'm the "Chai Guy" because I have a chai cart and give out chai on the playa. What I learned however is that sometimes these "gifts" become substitutions for real interactions. What we thought was helping us connect with other people ends up creating something artificial. My intent, to meet new people and have positive experiences, was corrupted into some kind of goal of giving out X amount of cups per day.

Now I just do it one day out of the whole week (and as favors to friends), I get a bunch of people to help me and we make the whole thing a performance art piece. It's much more fun for everyone that way.

If you're still not swayed, try looking here for some ideas of "gifts"
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=6369
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=10227
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=9143
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=8422

phil · Post by **phil** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 2:54 pm

Yeah, nothing's more practical than

a whole bunch of lil plastic bottles of Jager/gin/vodka/rum/mixed drinks

at Burning Man. :->

There's no gift exchange, no barter system. As Chai Guy says, bring yourself and let you be our gift.

GreyAndFuzzyIsTheWayToGo · Post by **GreyAndFuzzyIsTheWayToGo** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 2:57 pm

Hey... I'm glad I asked... thanks Chai. I will bring myself and my belongings and maybe I can offer back rubs as my gift ;)

I think I like your approach better :)

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 4:12 pm

GreyAndFuzzyIsTheWayToGo wrote:I will bring myself and my belongings and maybe I can offer back rubs as my gift

WHERE ARE YOU CAMPING?

Seriously, no, the gate people don't expect gifts and most people who do greeter do it because they love doing greeting. I know I do. Speaking of greeting, when the hell did this stupid spanking tradition start? That shit needs to end as of yesterday. I was embarassed for my virgins. Regarding what to gift -- call me crazy but I'm leery of anything consumable.

Zona_the_stona · Post by **Zona_the_stona** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 4:22 pm

the spanking did end.. last year the greeters said they couldn't do it anymore. instead they gave my friend a little flyer that said, "i've been spanked" or something similar to that.

Isotopia · Post by **Isotopia** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 5:21 pm

What Gifts Would You Like From Me?

Oh.....nevermind...

skygod · Post by **skygod** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 5:30 pm

I could use a massage.

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 6:28 pm

It was some little certificate good for one spanking by the burner of your choice. Kinda cute.

I was kinda saddened (really) by that, tho... It wasn't like you had to, I dunno, F**k a gate person to get in. No shit. It was a spanking. And I know most gate folk, if you told them there's no way in hell I'm getting paddled, they prolly wouldn't.

Know what scares me? Someone going into a theme camp where there's actually something going on (Vortex's games, or Our interrogations,or Thunderdome, or... well, you get the jist) with the intent on stirring up shit, knowing what they're walking into JUST to wreak havoc.

O brave new world...

bb

Dr. Pyro · Post by **Dr. Pyro** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 7:45 pm

Are you tenting it or RVing it? Because if you have the capacity to freeze something, Otter Pops are so welcomed (and a 4 cents apiece at WalMart, so cheap to think it's criminal), especially by kids, they are great. We always gift all the wine people can consume (we are a Wine Bistro, after all), but for those who don't drink, aren't 21, or just aren't in the mood, anything frozen is welcomed. If you want to go over this off this forum, send me a personal message and I'll tell you what we have done for the past 7 years.

Doc

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 9:29 pm

GreyAndFuzzy...

First, welcome home!!!

And as to the gifts, some of the best gifts I've recieved were the interactions I had with people out of the blue. Stories are great gifts. A little bit of your time is a wonderful thing.

Lip balm (homemade or otherwise) is nicey nice too!!

I was confused about the gift thing too, until I went for the first time. Then I had a context for it and the next year brought some metal necklaces that I made (Hugh... I've still got one for you here). Anything you make yourself and put some love and heart into will always be welcomed. And you'll know when the time it right for gifting something.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 6:29 am

LeChatNoir wrote:Anything you make yourself and put some love and heart into will always be welcomed. And you'll know when the time it right for gifting something.

This fine feline fellow gave me a BEAUTIFUL example of his handwrought metalcraft that I keep in a place of honor in my studio.
I've been making personalized metal doodads as gifts, setting up my kit as I visit around the town. Another option. But as stressed before, don't feel obliged to bring stuff to give. Just helping someone set up their shade can be a gift. Or volunteer with one of the many help-welcoming groups.

You'll do fine. See you soon.

GreyAndFuzzyIsTheWayToGo · Post by **GreyAndFuzzyIsTheWayToGo** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 7:04 am

All this feedback has really been helpful and I think I'm going to snag a lil of each idea and bring that with me... I will bring some lighters, glow sticks and such and I will be armed with my lotion cause I give a mean footrub. I wish I could do frozen things but I will be in my truck.

Ohh what if I give free baths? Well sponge baths? I just like the idea of serving people in order to make them more comfortable...cuz well thats what I love to get too!

I have no idea where I will be camping... maybe I will just latch on to a group when I get there. Thanks for all the help guys! :D

phil · Post by **phil** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 9:03 am

LeChatNoir wrote:
Lip balm (homemade or otherwise) is nicey nice too!!

This reminded me. Louise and I gave some guy a button with a photo of the Man on it, and he thanked us and started apologizing profusely for having nothing to give us. I was telling him don't worry, it's not barter, no need to exchange, blah blah blah, when he reached in his pocket and said, "Oh! Would you like this tube of chapstick I found on the playa?"

I hated to say no.

I was confused about the gift thing too, until I went for the first time. Then I had a context for it and the next year brought some metal necklaces that I made (Hugh... I've still got one for you here). Anything you make yourself and put some love and heart into will always be welcomed. And you'll know when the time it right for gifting something.

Yeah, I'm completely on board with that. I've got Robotland's metal doodad on the nightstand next to the bed where I see it every night as I turn off the light. I wear it on occasion and people comment on it, then I tell them he made from a salvaged stop sign and that _really_ gets them going. Not only art but re_cycled_ art!!!! :->

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 11:13 am

LeChatNoir wrote:GreyAndFuzzy...

I was confused about the gift thing too, until I went for the first time. Then I had a context for it and the next year brought some metal necklaces that I made. Anything you make yourself and put some love and heart into will always be welcomed. And you'll know when the time it right for gifting something.

He speaks truth. The necklace I got from his last year is probably one of my favorite (and most used) pieces of jewelry. >grins<

If it comes from the heart - and is personalized for the person for which it is intended - it will be a truly great gift!!

bb

blyslv · Post by **blyslv** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 1:31 pm

Your gift is my moop.

Having said that I DID meet my wife gifting alcohol. So go figure.

Avoid trinkets. Making meals is always fun.

Avoid the trap of instant reciprocity. If someone does something nice for you, be on the look out to do something nice for somebody else.

Do this year round.

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 10:33 am

Bay Bridge Sue wrote:I was kinda saddened (really) by that, tho... It wasn't like you had to, I dunno, F**k a gate person to get in. No shit. It was a spanking. And I know most gate folk, if you told them there's no way in hell I'm getting paddled, they prolly wouldn't.

No shit, it's not something that everyone is OK with. Getting people to ring a bell is one thing. Touching people inappropriately when you're supposed to be the ambassador for new people is another. It sets the wrong tone. Some people who have never been think Burning Man is a big orgy. Spanking newbies at the gate doesn't help with this perception.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 12:20 pm

A gift to me would be: Have a dance to the retro music I have to offer from my roving trike. Im working out by dancing 2 hours everyday. Might be able to get along without the cane part time. Put your dancing sandles on.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 11:54 am

Do you know that you can now get custom made stamps? If you had been before and had a great picture of the man on fire or something else "black rock city" and gave stamped envelopes so that people could mail them from the post office and get the cancellation, that would make a fantastic gift. AS you don't have a photo--seeing as it's your first time, you might be able to design something.

Just a thought.

What Gifts Would You Like From Me?

What Gifts Would You Like From Me?

Re: What Gifts Would You Like From Me?

Re: What Gifts Would You Like From Me?

Re: What Gifts Would You Like From Me?

Re: What Gifts Would You Like From Me?