Polls: Shopping & Gifts

$100 million in 4 months to the new CEO... Wow!

https://www.businessinsider.com/starbucks-new-ceo-brian-niccol-made-millions-in-months-2025-1?op=1

And just fired a bunch of people (1100)... which helps pay for that package and prop up the stock price. Maybe that was relevant to improve efficiency, but the pay package is insane.

I don't like their products and only spend gift cards I get for free. It's overly sweet junk and generally, the coffee is not good. I buy at specialty local shops or make my own.

Put your $ where you wish... I don't support this kind of American corporate greed and stupidity. Fire the board, pull back their stock options.

I try to use cash as much as possible. If I don't have enough cash, I withdraw money from ATM. I don't like shopping with credit card.

Your favorite type of place for shopping?

Your favorite type of presents?

I couldn't fit Overstock, Chewy, Newegg, Rakuten, Shein & Ali Baba which are the next highest traffic stores that are online only.

Do you have any reservations about shopping at these top 10 brick and mortar stores?

Walmart

Target

Best Buy

Costco

Home Depot

Lowe's

Macy's

Kohl's

JCPenney

Nordstrom

Do you also buy from:

Dollar General

Dollar Store

Five Below

And just because I'm curious, for those of you with kids K to 12, what are you getting the teacher if anything this year?

If you're not getting a gift when did you stop getting a gift for the teacher for your kid to bring in?

Full disclosure: My union contract SPECIFICALLY STATED that teachers could only accept gifts up to $200 in value for that school year.

Best gifts I ever got?

First: NY Mets game vs Yankees in family luxury box!

Second best: 7th row NY Islanders vs Rangers tickets!

Third: $100 gift certificate to Dunkin Donuts (used that one on the class for a "Coffee & Conversation" lesson I do twice a year.

Here are few reasons to consider regifting:

You don't like it. There's no reason to keep something you don’t appreciate. Some items are perfect for passing on.

You already have the item. The person who gave you that blender bought it because they knew that you love smoothies. They just weren’t aware that you already had one.

You don't need it. There are all kinds of things you may think are wonderful but can’t incorporate into your life. For example, delicate leather gloves can be lovely, but may not fit your rugged lifestyle.

You know somebody else will appreciate it much more. You might like the item but know a person who needs it more than you. Regifting can be an act of generosity.

You broke up with the person who gave it to you. There may be gifts you received from a significant other but now that you’re not together you want to purge, especially when the items evoke bad memories. You are under no obligation to keep them, Farley says.

How Not to Regift

“Almost everyone has recycled a gift or two,” says Lisa Mirza Grotts, an etiquette expert known as the Golden Rules Gal based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

However, there are a few regifting no-nos:

Regifting to the original giver. Imagine giving a present to someone who gave the item to you. “That’s a terrible faux pas,” Grotts says. Unless you keep very good records, avoid regifting within a specific social circle.

Regifting in the original wrapping. You may have an idea about what is inside the wrapping paper, but don't be so sure. Take the item out first. “There could be a card inside addressed to you that you didn’t see.” Rewrap, then regift.

Putting an item inthe wrong box. Although it can be tempting to place an item in a luxury retailer's packaging, you're setting the recipient up for embarrassment if they try to return the gift at that store.

Regifting used items. If the item shows any signs of wear and tear, is dirty or has parts missing, do not regift it.

You know what I'm talking about. The $100 Mikasa crystal martini glasses set of four. The $40 kitchen shears. The $60 rechargeable electric pepper mill. The $45 molcajeta.

What still left on the registry you may ask?

Towels! Bedding! Kitchen utensils! Vaccum! Mini fridge! Garment steamer! Ya know, SHIT THEY ACTUALLY NEED!!!

Some of these registries just boggle my mind. And don't get me started on the baby registries!! Some of the vanity useless shit is MIND-BLOWING!!

Don't these young couples have anybody guiding them to try to separate what they want from what they need? I KNOW it's a wish list but c'mon! SOMEONE EXPERIENCED should look it over before you go nuts clicking away on Amazon or they hand you the price gun at the department store and say "Have fun kids"!

And for you ladies, by all means use this question to vent your unfettered rage at bridal parties and their Bridezillas AND that dreaded, awful, kill me now, "I'd rather gargle molten glass shards" baby shower. Let's hear about it!