Maybe you virulently hate Black Friday. Maybe you're reading this newsletter as you stand in line to snatch up some terrific bargain. But either way, I think it's probably a fair...
| |  | | | | Alyssa Rosenberg on culture and politics | | | | | | Gifts in the Washington Post Gift Guide on Oct. 26 in Washington. (Jennifer Chase for The Washington Post) | Maybe you virulently hate Black Friday. Maybe you’re reading this newsletter as you stand in line to snatch up some terrific bargain. But either way, I think it’s probably a fair bet that many of you are at least starting to think about what gifts you might give to the people in your life this year. And if you’re thinking about giving some pop-culture presents, I wanted to offer a quick word of advice about how to make your recipients really happy this year. I totally understand the temptation to use the holidays to give someone a movie, book, album or experience that you love and that you want to share with them. And in a lot of cases, that’s a noble impulse that will result in a lot of pleasure. But I also think it’s worth taking a minute to consider whether your desire for someone to adore something that you are already obsessed with actually lines up with their tastes. It can be more condescending than loving to give someone a book that carries with it the message “I think most of what you read is lightweight,” or a movie that screams “I think a lot of what you watch is pretentious nonsense.” The most generous pop-culture gift you can give someone is a great example of their tastes. It’s one of the reasons I so appreciate that The Washington Post’s Best Books of 2017 roundup includes lists of science fiction and fantasy, romance novels and graphic novels, so even if those genres aren’t precisely up your alley, you can find a terrific gift for someone who does love reading in those categories. In fact, if you do your gift-giving research right, you might even find something that interests you in a way that you didn’t expect. Being thoughtful enough to really consider someone else’s tastes can end up being a gift to yourself, too. Need more specific advice than this? I’ll be offering personalized pop-culture gift recommendations in Monday’s Act Four Live chat. Until then, I hope you’re all having a good holiday with people you love. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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