# I'm going to play with your gift, ok? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 14, 2013, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-play-with-your-gift-ok/676300 "2013-12-14T10:59:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![genuinejon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b3f665/32.png) [@genuinejon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/genuinejon)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-play-with-your-gift-ok/676300/1 "2013-12-14T10:59:55Z")
Based on the book thread [You got someone a book for Christmas, Ok to read it before giving it to them? - In My Humble Opinion - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=709330), I think not. I play with the gifts I give frequently. Sometimes, it serves a purpose, e.g. loading a tablet up with the apps I know they’ll want, adding or charging batteries, etc. Sometimes, I’m curious and just want to play with it. Sometimes, I know the kids will love it, so this is my only chance. More than once I’ve kept the open and purchased a 2nd to give, and on a few occasions have been so impressed as to get one for everyone on my list. More than once, I knew it was upupdowndownleftrighleftrightab, and that made the gift more fun. I suppose I consider this enhancing the gift–I’m adding even more thought to it and making sure that the gift performs as intended. It is rare that I end up taking something back, but it saves the awkwardness of giving something broken or that isn’t quite right for the recipient. Even if I don’t know you, but you are my cousins new gf, you are getting a gift I have used, ok? I like to think I’ve had great success in previous years, but I am seriously considering gift cards only this year. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-play-with-your-gift-ok/676300/2 "2013-12-14T13:36:00Z")
> [@genuinejon](#): > > Sometimes, it serves a purpose, e.g. loading a tablet up with the apps I know they’ll want, adding or charging batteries, etc. To me, this doesn’t count as playing. I’ve given laptops, and I’ve gone in and set them up, because otherwise it’s a several hour process to do the updates, download and install programs, etc., just to get to the fun part of using it. (This was for my elderly Mom. It would be different if the person I was giving it to _liked_ doing all that stuff themselves.) ---
**Author:** ![AnaMen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-play-with-your-gift-ok/676300/3 "2013-12-14T16:15:14Z")
Fine by me… Whether you send me a gift card or a pre-used-by-you iPad is up to you. Will I be getting my stuff in time for Christmas? Thanks, Santa! ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-play-with-your-gift-ok/676300/4 "2013-12-14T17:20:14Z")
We are thinking of ‘regifting’ my netbook [I picked it up about 5 years ago] to our roomies mother. Phlip thinks that she would really enjoy reading ebooks because she could make the font much larger, and enjoy listening to music and getting email and chatting with Phlip on skype. I will be returning it to factory and loading it with a user log in [keeping the admin for us, and putting [team viewer](http://www.teamviewer.com/en/index.aspx) on it for any repairs] with a browser, email, skype, ebook and music icons that are large and well labeled. If I had the money to blow, we would get her a tablet but we are realistic and she has a habit of dropping and breaking stuff, and she lives in a trailer park and has an alkie for a friend and we are afraid he would swipe it to sell. ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-play-with-your-gift-ok/676300/5 "2013-12-14T17:46:31Z")
I don’t like it. I think it’s at best patronizing and worst flat out selfish. You can add batteries, help set up, and whatever other ancillary services AFTER you let them do the initial unwrapping. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-play-with-your-gift-ok/676300/6 "2013-12-14T18:02:52Z")
We bought a Kindle Fire HD for a granddaughter and I was considering getting it charged and loaded with some books and games before Christmas, but I couldn’t bring myself to open the packaging. Amazon could have just put it in a box with a lid, but no – there’s a big ol’ tear-off strip. She’s 12 and she might not care if it looks like someone has opened the box, but to me, it’ll look “used”. So I won’t do it. (Plus, I’m not sure how to use my account to set it all up and then fix it so it’s not tied to my account.) ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-play-with-your-gift-ok/676300/7 "2013-12-14T18:44:04Z")
If you’re giving me a free tablet, I will not care if you wiped your butt on it. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-play-with-your-gift-ok/676300/8 "2013-12-14T20:49:20Z")
> [@AnaMen](#): > > Fine by me… Whether you send me a gift card or a pre-used-by-you iPad is up to you. Will I be getting my stuff in time for Christmas? > Thanks, Santa! How about a pre-used-by-you gift card (which is what I thought this said when I first glanced at it)? ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-play-with-your-gift-ok/676300/9 "2013-12-14T21:12:09Z")
Do you know…I never really thought about this before. While I can see why some people would like unopened packages, I’m pretty lazy myself. I’m much happier when someone else battles the packaging (flipping plastic clamshells, I hates them), charges the toy up and tests/preloads it, and then puts it in a pretty bag for me than if I have to battle my way through all that stuff just to have fun. When I open a gift, I want instant fun! But that’s just me. My husband enjoys all of that stuff, so when I give him a tech toy its unopened. I just happen to know that I’m going to be getting a new desktop system for Christmas this year. Shhhh, its a big surprise 🙂 I fully expect to go into my office and see it all set up and preloaded with games and stuff. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-play-with-your-gift-ok/676300/10 "2013-12-14T21:36:40Z")
> [@genuinejon](#): > > Sometimes, I’m curious and just want to play with it. Be curious and play with it later–_after_ the giftee has had a turn. > [@](#): > > I suppose I consider this enhancing the gift–I’m adding even more thought to it and making sure that the gift performs as intended. That doesn’t seem to quite jibe with the quote above. And honestly, the stuff you know I’ll want, I quite likely won’t actually want. If you’re playing with my gift for your own enjoyment, at least be upfront about it and don’t pretend you’re doing me a favor. > [@](#): > > Even if I don’t know you, but you are my cousins new gf, you are getting a gift I have used, ok? You know, if ever there were a time to err on the side of restraint, it’s when giving gifts to people you don’t know well. > [@flatlined](#): > > I’m much happier when someone else battles the packaging (flipping plastic clamshells, I hates them), charges the toy up and tests/preloads it, and then puts it in a pretty bag for me than if I have to battle my way through all that stuff just to have fun. When I open a gift, I want instant fun! You know, I honestly have no idea how big a pain in the arse that stuff is–I’ve never gotten to do it with any of my tech. They’re always “thoughtfully and helpfully” played with before I get them. But I can’t say that even at that I’ve ever gone facedown in them immediately–there’s always other presents to open, meals to cook/eat, family to visit with. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-play-with-your-gift-ok/676300/11 "2013-12-14T21:50:10Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > How about a pre-used-by-you gift card (which is what I thought this said when I first glanced at it)? I got you a $50 gift card! And there’s still $37 left on it! Lol. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-play-with-your-gift-ok/676300/12 "2013-12-14T22:21:10Z")
> [@CrazyCatLady](#): > > You know, I honestly have no idea how big a pain in the arse that stuff is–I’ve never gotten to do it with any of my tech. They’re always “thoughtfully and helpfully” played with before I get them. But I can’t say that even at that I’ve ever gone facedown in them immediately–there’s always other presents to open, meals to cook/eat, family to visit with. When I open a gift in front of someone, my first thought is how to show my happiness. OMG!!! You bought me SIX litter boxes!!! AND you pulled all of those sticky labels off!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, kisses and hugs. OMG!!! You bought me a tech toy and set it up for me, lets you show me all the fun stuff and Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, kisses and hugs. OK, now lets eat, I think my cherry pie is the best ever this year. ---
**Author:** ![genuinejon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b3f665/32.png) [@genuinejon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/genuinejon)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-play-with-your-gift-ok/676300/13 "2013-12-14T22:44:56Z")
> [@AnaMen](#): > > Fine by me… Whether you send me a gift card or a pre-used-by-you iPad is up to you. Will I be getting my stuff in time for Christmas? > Thanks, Santa! Sorry, you are on the naughty list and get ashes (it is pre-used coal, get it?;)). > [@pancakes3](#): > > I don’t like it. I think it’s at best patronizing and worst flat out selfish. You can add batteries, help set up, and whatever other ancillary services AFTER you let them do the initial unwrapping. I realize it could be seen as patronizing and I am sometimes using up the “firstness” of the gift. Especially for kid toys, I know I am being selfish. In my family, you will get ripped if you give a gift without the batteries, cables, etc., to make it work, so we’ve kinda progressed into testing. I’ve gotten pretty good at flying my nephew’s remote chopper. I won’t lie and say I’m not having fun flying it, but I’ll also be able to help him get it going better come Christmas. > [@CrazyCatLady](#): > > You know, if ever there were a time to err on the side of restraint, it’s when giving gifts to people you don’t know well. So you don’t think she’s going to enjoy the half-full bottle of Glenlivet? Generally, I don’t play with gifts for rarely seen/acquaintance/might not be around next year-types, but that is mostly because theirs suck because they are more generic. However, in this particular case, I know she likes bicycles. Even though it is a used custom, I would have ridden it without a second thought previously–I will try to restrain myself, now (oops, too late). > [@CarnalK](#): > > I got you a $50 gift card! And there’s still $37 left on it! Lol. I’ve given one, but I knew she was saving up for something and it wasn’t the main gift–more like “I would have given this to you earlier, but this is the first time I’ve seen you, and it was easy to stick in the card”. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-play-with-your-gift-ok/676300/14 "2013-12-14T23:13:01Z")
You can play with it all you want but if you pull off the plastic screen protector stickers, then we are no longer friends. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2013, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-play-with-your-gift-ok/676300/15 "2013-12-15T01:29:26Z")
> [@pravnik](#): > > If you’re giving me a free tablet, I will not care if you wiped your butt on it. Grin! > [@Shalmanese](#): > > You can play with it all you want but if you pull off the plastic screen protector stickers, then we are no longer friends. Grin twice with circus sprinkles! And, hey, there’s Christmas Fruitcake, which sometimes seems like the friend who gives it to you has eaten it once already! (It’s brown, and stinky, and has bits of indigestible food embedded in it. Just like…) ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2013, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-play-with-your-gift-ok/676300/16 "2013-12-15T01:32:49Z")
If we are breaking all the rules, why not just buy yourself shit and refuse presents? Seems that would cut to the chase. No? ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2013, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-play-with-your-gift-ok/676300/17 "2013-12-15T02:13:38Z")
I think socks are more comfortable after they have been worn in a bit.