‘Twas the Day After Christmas . . .
And all through the store / Every creature was bringing back toasters and more....”
We ventured into the Robinsons-May in Beverly Hills on Dec. 26 to see what gifts were making their way from under the tree to the exchange counter.
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Lydia Cincore-Templeton
Lawyer
What are you exchanging?
A pair of pants for my brother. He loves the purchase, but they’re too short. He’s 6’5.”
Did you forget your brother’s height?
I confused his size with my husband’s. I hate shopping. I did all my shopping in one day at the same store. I had to get two gifts each for 10 people.
Why two gifts each?
We’re into dogs in our family. The dog gives you a gift.
Craziest gift you’ve ever received?
A candle holder with sharks on it. It was the ugliest thing I’ve ever gotten. I just got rid of it the other day.
Does a dud gift matter?
It’s the thought that counts. Unless it’s your significant other and you’re expecting a diamond ring and you get a leather portfolio.
Have you ever re-gifted?
I have, but I don’t like to because you have to remember where you get your gifts, and that causes too much personal trauma for me.
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Santi Namasondhi
Day Trader
What are you exchanging?
My wife bought too many presents, like this snowball lamp, for people at the hospital where she works. She’s going to get clothing instead.
What did you receive?
I got a sweater, but in my family, every day is Christmas. My wife and I get things for each other all year, so we concentrate on the kids and people at work.
Presents versus gift certificates?
The new starting family might make better use of a certificate so they can choose what they need. But for children, presents. I think older people need presents too. They’re pretty much set financially, they just need to feel the warmth of the presents they receive.
Best present you’ve received?
Seventeen years ago, on the 27th of December, I married my wife. I don’t think anything will ever top that.
Do you ever re-gift?
I have a son who is about my size. Any clothing I get that I don’t like, guess who gets it?
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Caitlin Longstreet
Student
What are you exchanging?
A Calvin Klein jacket from my dad. It’s too big. He probably just walked in and thought, “Oh, she’s 5’10, she must be a large.”
Are you going for a smaller size or for something else?
I think I’m going to go for some shoes. I have a little fetish.
Have you ever re-gifted?
I’ve re-gifted white-elephant-type, cheesier presents at parties where you are supposed to bring a silly gift.
Best present you’ve received?
One of my friends made me a set of CDs he put together. He decorated the case with paint. It was a great gift.
Worst gift ever?
I got the Adam Sandler movie “The Waterboy” on VHS a few years ago. That might have gotten re-gifted somewhere along the line.
Most embarrassing holiday gift?
I’m not sure I want this in the paper but a guy friend in high school gave me edible underwear as a joke. He and my other friend decided I needed love for Christmas.
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Justin De Leon
Fine Art Photographer
What are you exchanging?
Three shirts from my aunt. She was 0 for 3 for shirts, but she also gave me a gift card, which was right on.
Are you going to hide the fact that you are exchanging these shirts?
My aunt knows. We’re pretty open. I just asked for the receipt. We believe in “get something you like.”
Presents versus gift certificates, your thoughts, please.
I’m personally a gift card kind of a guy, but there is still the art of the gift, the unknown. I was not disappointed by the shirts, I’m just going to get different colors. These are too down, one’s a dull brown. I’m into brighter colors. Yellows, pinks, for contrast a little black.
Most embarrassing holiday gift experience you’ve had?
I didn’t get my gift in the family exchange. Someone else got two gifts. I was then given the gift that person didn’t want. I’m still trying to figure out how that happened.
