The drive to grandma's house on Christmas and seeing all the family is bound to bring all kinds of gifts. Aunts and uncles, cousins and spouses of cousins; you have different relationships with all of them, so their presents will be strewn across what I like to call the "spectrum of thoughtfulness."
This spectrum has 7 levels. Here we go.
1. Money
The $20 bill put in a card with "Merry Christmas" scribbled on it is the lowest on the spectrum. At least they thought about you to do something, but their gift was more out of necessity and less out of love.
2. Gift Card
While this is more than cash because the giver knows your favorite store, they don't know what you wanted from that store or they didn't care or have the time to pick something out for you.
3. Christmas List
These are the long lost uncles that e-mail you every year asking for a list. It's sweet of them to ask, and they're spending time and money on you getting the gift, but there was no thought put into it.
4. Necessity Item
These are things like socks and plain white t-shirts and phone chargers. They are all things that you need at some time or another, but they're not really Christmas gift material.
5. Pinterest Board
Most every girl in the 21st century has a Pinterest board of things they like, or things they want to buy. So, someone getting them a gift can pop on over to that board and see that they want. This is more thoughtful than a list because they didn't ask you what you want; they're using their resources to get you something they know you'll enjoy.
6. Something You Mentioned
The people that get you these gifts are true friends. Either you were at the mall and saw a shirt you said you liked, or you told them about a new album that was coming out that you wanted to buy, or anything you casually brought up without the intention of them buying it for you.
7. No Hints
These are the presents that you aren't expecting at all. The people that get you these are your closest friends and family. They know what you want without you even having to ask for it, and it is exactly what you didn't even know you wanted.
