Holiday gifts: cash versus a present?

[cany10011]

This has been a crazy work year for me; coupled that with hurricaine sandy and work travel, my mind hasn't focused much on getting gifts for the guys i see regularly--- let alone for my family and friends. As I'm seeing several of my guys this week and next, I decided to buy a bulk of massage gift certificates at the new gay hotel in midtown (OUT spa -GILT is having a sale on these) and giving them as small gifts, while for 2 favorite ones i'm getting an hermes tie and another a burberry sweater. I deplore gift giving as sometimes these gifts are usually superfluous and just a luxury and not necessity. However, the physical act of presenting and having the recipient open a gift is more meaningful to me than giving cash but i think cash is much easier and less mentally stressful for me. What have other board members done? And, what do escorts prefer?

[+ Travis69]

Fill a box with cash, wrap it and present it. You get the joy of physically presenting a gift, seeing them open it and they enjoy something they won't shove in the back of the closet. PS I take an "extra large".

[Xander]

If its too stressful for you to pick out something for an escort, then I think cash or gift card is best. But I think a gift is more thoughtful because it shows that you know more about them.

 

Cash in a gift box is a fun idea. Maybe put some coal on top of it.

[cany10011]

Love the coals in a box idea, Xander!

 

If its too stressful for you to pick out something for an escort, then I think cash or gift card is best. But I think a gift is more thoughtful because it shows that you know more about them.

 

Cash in a gift box is a fun idea. Maybe put some coal on top of it.

[JoeyBryant]

I like the sound of the scarf and sweater, but clothing items would likely be the last resort as a gift item. I'm 6'2 but can fit in anything from a medium (for everyday, comnfortable wear) to large (puffer jackets) to extra small (for the pumped bicep look). Thing is brands change across the board, and I can't wear extra small if it has long sleeves or it'll be up to my elbows.

 

Other great gifts would include a bottle of alcohol, if you know the person enjoys a drink. That can be a year round gift, and 1 size tends to fit all.

[jjkrkwood]

This has been a crazy work year for me; coupled that with hurricaine sandy and work travel, my mind hasn't focused much on getting gifts for the guys i see regularly--- let alone for my family and friends. As I'm seeing several of my guys this week and next, I decided to buy a bulk of massage gift certificates at the new gay hotel in midtown (OUT spa -GILT is having a sale on these) and giving them as small gifts, while for 2 favorite ones i'm getting an hermes tie and another a burberry sweater. I deplore gift giving as sometimes these gifts are usually superfluous and just a luxury and not necessity. However, the physical act of presenting and having the recipient open a gift is more meaningful to me than giving cash but i think cash is much easier and less mentally stressful for me. What have other board members done? And, what do escorts prefer?

 

I understand this is a thread about "gifting" escorts. I dont hire enuf to have that sort of relationship with any one guy that would require a gift. However, I deplore receiving gifts that either I dont need, dont like or dont want, and keep that in mind when buying for others. Therefore, in recent years I have gifted AMEX gift cards. Its a bit more personal than cash, requires a bit more effort on your part that giving cash, as you do need to go out and purchase them, and the recipient can choose to spend it as he sees fit and on what he chooses.

The gift cards always seem appreciated, and NO returns necessary....:o While Hermes and burberry are certainly thoughful and extravagant gifts, unless you KNOW those are things the escort would want, and could use, that money might be better spent differently for him, even if its Booking a session, and then showing up and paying him his Fee and saying Happy holidays, without him having to perform for it.

[jjkrkwood]

If its too stressful for you to pick out something for an escort, then I think cash or gift card is best. But I think a gift is more thoughtful because it shows that you know more about them.

 

Cash in a gift box is a fun idea. Maybe put some coal on top of it.

 

Funny you mention that idea, as I DID do that when my partner was alive. I gave him a box of $1000 single dollar bills, crumpled up. It was a real crowd pleaser when he opened it amongst HIS family members, and the effect of the money spilling out of the box was priceless......

[josephga]

IMO if a escort or a masseur has a client or clients that hire them allot that the provider should be buying the client The Christmas gift.. I use to have 2 clients that got 2 massages a week. At christmas time I bought both of them something not the other way around

[Guest countryboywny]

IMO if a escort or a masseur has a client or clients that hire them allot that the provider should be buying the client The Christmas gift.. I use to have 2 clients that got 2 massages a week. At christmas time I bought both of them something not the other way around

 

This is a great example of a "two way street". I enjoy gifting the special people in my life, I prefer to give cash because then the recipient can buy what he wants. This could be interpreted as a thoughtless gift, but I'd much rather consider it the ultimate gift! As far as receiving gifts from escorts, I would much prefer a personal note or greeting or even a text over any "gift".

[rocky]

Josephga; we have in the past not agreed with each other but I enjoyed your note here. Here I am getting ready to put together a Christmas bag of gifts for someone who I spend about $20k per year and worried if I've done enough that includes gift certificates, cologne, A&F clothing and some gag gifts. It would be nice to have a surprise "client" gift but I enjoy doing these things for someone I spend great deal of time with. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all..

[josephga]

I've never had a client give me anything for christmas. I don't really give it much thought Christmas has just become another day I haven't put up a tree in years.. Last year I was bored and logged into grindr and This cute 20 year old latino flight attendant offered me a Christmas blow job I said sure lol

[+ Travis69]

I've never had a client give me anything for christmas. I don't really give it much thought Christmas has just become another day I haven't put up a tree in years.. Last year I was bored and logged into grindr and This cute 20 year old latino flight attendant offered me a Christmas blow job I said sure lol

 

Nice gift from that flight attendant. I hope you mentioned your birthday and he planned to come back to help you celebrate. I guess in some ways a blow job cold be considered a "gag gift" if you're really well hung!!!! Bad humor, I know!!!

[Guy Fawkes]

It's the Message that counts, but a bit of cash is always nice!

 

For me, the best present so far was a card with a picture of two Darleks on the front, that on the back said: "British Heart Foundation receives 100% of the profits from the sale of the card"

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/69/Dalek_2010_Redesign.jpg/200px-Dalek_2010_Redesign.jpg

 

How did he ever know that I'm a Mega Doctor fan?

 

A very nice message inside with a 20 pound note that started a chain of exchanges that at last count has gone through four separate hands on it's way back to England with each person recounting where it went next.

 

It allowed me to take somebody out to lunch that normally neither of us would have been able to afford. This simple act created a lot of joy for multiple people.

 

I Cherish the cards, I Cherish the messages, They somehow lift my spirits in a time where really need it.

[+ Lucky]

The British Heart Foundation Christmas Cards

 

http://www.christmas-cards-online.co.uk/images/B7sm.jpg

 

Why buy your cards from Christmas Cards Online?

• All of the Christmas Cards sold by Christmas Cards Online can be used to support The British Heart Foundation.
  
• 10p from every card purchased is donated to The British Heart Foundation.
  
• The British Heart Foundation logo can be printed on the interior of your cards at no additional cost.
  

 

10p is not quite 100% of the proceeds! Granted, I don't know about the card Daddy has received such joy from.

 

The BHA is the subject of a national boycott over their use of animals in testing. There is also a boycott against them for using workfare, a British program which forces poor people to work in order to get benefits. But, they also have some 10,000 volunteers from those who believe in the good work the Foundation does.

[unsub2O17]

I was just thinking about this issue, not because of this thread, but because my regular escort has been insisting that he wants to give me something for Christmas. He's "given" me so much already in so many ways that I'd be quite happy with just a card. However, he kept insisting so I finally suggested that he give me something (anything) that reminded me of him (yes, I'm a romantic). As for him, well, in our many conversations, he's made it clear that he's a real "foodie", and I know where I can find him a most extraordinary pie. It will involve at least an hour drive on my part, and it's far from an expensive gift, but I think he'll really enjoy it, and I like making a personal effort in my personal gifts.

[jjkrkwood]

I was just thinking about this issue, not because of this thread, but because my regular escort has been insisting that he wants to give me something for Christmas. He's "given" me so much already in so many ways that I'd be quite happy with just a card. However, he kept insisting so I finally suggested that he give me something (anything) that reminded me of him (yes, I'm a romantic). As for him, well, in our many conversations, he's made it clear that he's a real "foodie", and I know where I can find him a most extraordinary pie. It will involve at least an hour drive on my part, and it's far from an expensive gift, but I think he'll really enjoy it, and I like making a personal effort in my personal gifts.

 

unsub. if you are looking for an "incredible" pie. try The Taste of Kentucky's "DERBY PIE"... you heat it up and its orgasmic..... Its always gotten RAVE reviews when I've given it...

 

They have a website

[Bosguy]

I guess I'm old fashioned because I don't like cash or gift cards for any special occasion. For my favorite guys, I like to present them with some item that reflects their likes/personality. If you don't know these guys well enough to find something appropriate, you probably should not be giving a gift.

 

Boston Bill

[KMEM]

I guess I'm old fashioned because I don't like cash or gift cards for any special occasion. For my favorite guys, I like to present them with some item that reflects their likes/personality. If you don't know these guys well enough to find something appropriate, you probably should not be giving a gift.

 

Boston Bill

 

Absolutely correct. I agree.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[unsub2O17]

unsub. if you are looking for an "incredible" pie. try The Taste of Kentucky's "DERBY PIE"... you heat it up and its orgasmic..... Its always gotten RAVE reviews when I've given it...

 

They have a website

 

Thank you, JJ, I will check it out.

[RockHard]

You get what you give.

 

10p is not quite 100% of the proceeds!

 

I see the balloon-popping crusty heroin needle strikes again.

 

i think cash is much easier and less mentally stressful for me.

 

Reducing stress is never a bad thing. I do everything I can to eliminate it.

 

I don't know any service provider (with a middle class income) who doesn't enjoy a cash gift around the holidays. I look at these holiday "gifts" as nothing more than a special gratuity, and every cash gift comes with freedom: The recipient has the freedom to choose how he/she wishes to spend the extra money, and that freedom is priceless. A cash gift is always a win-win for the recipient.

 

Providing a personal touch can be nice, especially if you hit the nail on the head. I'm a very good listener, and I like to shop. I'm known for giving unique gifts that demonstrate I gave the effort some loving time and thought. But some people fail miserably, believing they give good gifts, never knowing the recipient gave them away or discarded them soon after. (Guilty.)

 

Clothing is tricky. I love to shop for clothing, and I think I have great taste, for me. My style is not the same as someone else's, and many people have tried to buy me clothing only to utterly fail. I've never seen anything at Hermes that gets me hard (and I'm a tie collector), and most of Burberry works only on tall, skinny, British twinks, IMO. (I do own a Burberry or two. There are exceptions.)

 

So, unless I know someone's style with absolute confidence (the guy tells me he covets a Band of Outsiders Peacoat (http://www.barneys.com/Band-of-Outsiders-Double-Breasted-Striped-Bottom-Peacoat/502207117,default,pd.html?cgid=mens-outerwear&index=4), I stay far away from expensive clothing gifts.

 

My favorite gift for someone I truly love: a roundtrip airline ticket to a desired location. I have thousands of miles, and I will never use them all. I love giving someone else an opportunity to travel, especially if they can't afford the Business Class ticket on their own.

[jjkrkwood]

I dont believe a gift needs to be expensive, merely thoughful in the sense that it represents and reflects the person receiving it. Most people, especially if they are not fashionistas

dont know the prices of clothing, especially designer clothing, although if it does bear a designer name, you can assume it is costly (unless purchased at an outlet)... and as has been said, if you get the style wrong, the recipient doesnt benefit, and is only impositioned in having to return it. Often a less expensive, more thoughful gift makes a bigger impact and longer lasting impression. Remember its the receiver that needs to like the gift, not YOU, and the biggest gift buying mistake is people often buy what they themselves Like... Try to take yourself out of the equation.

[josephga]

After we became adults my parents didn't buy us and gifts my father would just write my brother and I a check for 2500.00 about a week b4 christmas every year until his passing

[jjkrkwood]

After we became adults my parents didn't buy us and gifts my father would just write my brother and I a check for 2500.00 about a week b4 christmas every year until his passing

 

Well thats the kinda gift I love, but as you have seen in this thread, some people are NOT into money gifts. So again, it really gets back to knowing the receiver and what they would like.

[rocky]

Hi; how nice of your friend to want to give you a Christmas gift; that is fortunate. I'd just like a card I guess or something that shows, yeah I appreciate your every week business plus travel, cruise etc. I hope I'm not sounding upset, but maybe I am. I enjoy this person but as well as a hug during the night and in the morning; something special like, here's your card would be nice. Rocky

[MiamiLooker]

Hi; how nice of your friend to want to give you a Christmas gift; that is fortunate. I'd just like a card I guess or something that shows, yeah I appreciate your every week business plus travel, cruise etc. I hope I'm not sounding upset, but maybe I am. I enjoy this person but as well as a hug during the night and in the morning; something special like, here's your card would be nice. Rocky

 

 

You may want to re-examine the dynamics of your client-escort relationship.