Ben by Daniel Shelton for December 05, 2023

Ben! You are no longer a child. That is a child’s response. Prioritized and color coded? Really! i love her response.

Okay, Plaid Christmas Tie it is.

I want no more “things” nor expectations from anyone. Merry Christmas.

I like how Ben is able to freely act childish and silly. There is nothing wrong with that. If he can let himself be free to have fun the kids will feel free to have fun. Anf the other adults.

Twelve thousand dollars… cash. Please.

I never ask for anything, I don’t need or want anything; I have everything I could ever want. As long as I have friends, I am happy.

But I’ve already bought all the stuff I want!

She basically insisted on that list; no eye-roll required… ッ

Never been much for mandatory gift giving. I occasionally see something I think a friend or family member will like and buy it for them. If it is close to Christmas or a birthday, I may wait to give it to them. But this is where the thought counts.

If I feel obligated to buy you a present and you give me a list (or go to the store and create a list like a registry) then the only thought is “how much am I willing to spend on this person?” It seems to be literally putting a price on your relationship.

He gets a sick full of coal…….

I think you should go with his original response.

I’ve given up trying to get my wife presents. The last time I tried I bought the exact diamond ring that she’d shown me only for her to decide she didn’t like it and return it. So now I buy something that will be easy for her to return.

It’d be funny if he was handing her a plain list with a few items on it.

I now dread that question.

I get EVERYBODY on my list the exact same thing. Go into the store, buy 30 items, wrap them and then randomly write the name of the person on the wrapping with a sharpie and ship them off in bulk.

She knows you too well, Ben.