I hardly ever buy presents- I'm hopeless at shopping and usually buy things not by occassion, but if I see something that I know somebody wants, or would really like, regardless of the events. Then other people buy me presents and I feel kinda guilty- but were I to try buying stuff in a regimented manner and forcing myself to give out tokenistic gifts, I would probably feel worse. That's why I usually end up giving people gift art.
The big day for me will involve a short trip back to my family home, whereupon I will be required to attend a morning service (maybe...depending on how tired my mother is, these days). I would not mind this so much if only I could not see the thoughtlessness and the inappropriate forms of conservatism in the congregation (and my family) which manifests itself as emotivism. While the pastor is an intellectual, the whole deal just grates on me and my mother will persist in thinking "homosexuality is not of God" for the rest of her days, which frustrates me. I try my best to get along with her and she is glad that I am trying but unfortunately, the whole matter inevitably resembles a Linkin Park song.