![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
So, it's starting to be Christmas shopping time. I just read this post by Scalzi and was reminded that I wanted to say something about that kind of thing. I actually had a reminder or my phone set for Halloween, but I was embarrassed to post anything then.
I don't want to presume anyone reading this would be getting me a gift, but if by chance you are, most of what Scalzi wrote I agree with. The ways where we differ: I'd love to receive anything baked (or preserved), anything handmade or that you designed / wrote / whatever. But also, and I'm really surprised Scalzi didn't say this, if you would like to purchase something for me what I'd really rather you do is make a donation to a charity:
Child's Play is a charity set up by Penny Arcade to provide toys and video games to children's hospitals. I was once in the ICU for a week as a five-year-old, and really the only thing that made it bearable was getting to watch all the cartoons I wanted right in my bed (that I couldn't get out of because I was attached to an IV).
I understand some people don't like Penny Arcade though, so a couple other options:
Stop TB is a charity that gives tuberculosis medication to people with tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is fatal and curable, a course of medication for it is about $25. Unlike cancer research where we might discover a better treatment someday, your $25 can literally save a life right now, all that's needed is putting pills in some dude's hands.
One World Futbol is something I found out about a couple weeks ago. Apparently kids in poor countries love kicking soccer balls around, but also apparently soccer balls aren't sturdy enough to last long on sharp-thing-filled streets, so they end up kicking around gallon jugs or wads of garbage instead. These guys figured out a way to make an indestructible soccer ball, which is just neat.
Anyway, like I said, if you didn't plan on getting me anything that's totally cool, if you did I'm still grateful for anything you want to give me, but like Scalzi said: most stuff I want, I usually just go out and buy, so I'd rather you help someone else instead of spending money on me.
Unless you make brownies.
I don't want to presume anyone reading this would be getting me a gift, but if by chance you are, most of what Scalzi wrote I agree with. The ways where we differ: I'd love to receive anything baked (or preserved), anything handmade or that you designed / wrote / whatever. But also, and I'm really surprised Scalzi didn't say this, if you would like to purchase something for me what I'd really rather you do is make a donation to a charity:
Child's Play is a charity set up by Penny Arcade to provide toys and video games to children's hospitals. I was once in the ICU for a week as a five-year-old, and really the only thing that made it bearable was getting to watch all the cartoons I wanted right in my bed (that I couldn't get out of because I was attached to an IV).
I understand some people don't like Penny Arcade though, so a couple other options:
Stop TB is a charity that gives tuberculosis medication to people with tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is fatal and curable, a course of medication for it is about $25. Unlike cancer research where we might discover a better treatment someday, your $25 can literally save a life right now, all that's needed is putting pills in some dude's hands.
One World Futbol is something I found out about a couple weeks ago. Apparently kids in poor countries love kicking soccer balls around, but also apparently soccer balls aren't sturdy enough to last long on sharp-thing-filled streets, so they end up kicking around gallon jugs or wads of garbage instead. These guys figured out a way to make an indestructible soccer ball, which is just neat.
Anyway, like I said, if you didn't plan on getting me anything that's totally cool, if you did I'm still grateful for anything you want to give me, but like Scalzi said: most stuff I want, I usually just go out and buy, so I'd rather you help someone else instead of spending money on me.
Unless you make brownies.
