On January 1, 1994, China devalued its currency by 50% in a single day, and since then has experienced a manufacturing boom …in modern times there never has been free trade with China; the US has already been in a trade war for nearly two decades; and it is the only time in this nation’s history it surrendered without ever firing a shot. The United States lost six million jobs, indebted itself to China by $1.4 trillion, and received in return a host of consumer goods, many of which now reside in landfills across the country. -Paul Tudor Jones
Now that the year is about to turn, the parents of LIC will be starting a whole new round of birthdays for their kids. In return for cake, pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, and meet n’ greets with Eli Manning and Beyonce; young guests (or their custodians/handmaidens) are expected to bring a gift for the birthday child. While this is a time-honored tradition, I couldn’t help but wonder, having witnessed this orgiastic display firsthand(as a journalist), if maybe it hasn’t become a bit of an anachronism in the 21st century? Lo and behold, it seems that I am not alone in this thinking, because over the summer a source forwarded me a birthday missive replete with the usual verbiage about princesses and superheroes and Who/What/When/Where. Yet right there, in the midst of all the balloons and glitter and pastels, was the request “No Gifts Please.”
How audacious, innovative, and modern. In lieu of gifts, the request was for a drawing which would then be put into a picture book. Since I’ll never invent something really useful like the polio vaccine or Spanx, I was kind of envious that I had not been the originator of the idea. Nevertheless, it is an excellent one and especially well-suited for LIC. Let’s quickly dispense with the money thing, as the expense is fairly minor …in monetary terms. In fact, it’s the thinking about and purchasing and wrapping and remembering to bring the gift that’s probably more taxing.
Then, as the recipient’s custodians/handmaidens know well, it’s the unwrapping and cleaning up and putting together and returning to the store. Or not, because maybe it’s better to have three copies of ‘Hop on Pop’ or ‘The Princess blah blah blah Happily Ever After.’ Which leads to another reason for a “NGP” clause in the birthday contract: clutter! As has been documented many times in this venerated publication: apartments in Long Island City are predominantly small. The last thing one needs in them is more “stuff.” Finally, since we don’t want you to be fingered as a malevolent spoilsport solely for self-centered purposes, we’ll remind you of the environmental angle: less stuff = less plastic, less packaging, less transportation. Oh, and throw in something about a trade war with China and starving kids in India and you’re home free. Wow, it’s not even 2014, don’t you feel better already?
Bloomberg to Get Farewell Trip on 7-Line Extension – it’ll be here for the rest of us this summer!
Paper Factory Developer Closes $27 Million Hotel Loan – another hotel about to open in LIC, this one near Northern Blvd and loft-like
LIC Rental Building Sold for $47.2 million – 115 units on 27th Ave
LIC Residents Call for Changes at Deadly Intersection – this one by Pulaski Bridge; gets the local pols stirred up
Little Josh says
December 18, 2013 at 1:11 pm“Cash only please”
Anonymous says
December 18, 2013 at 5:12 pmHow about we get rid of wedding presents too. They bring along all the same hassles.
CL says
December 19, 2013 at 9:08 amAnd while we’re at it, wedding showers and baby showers too
Anonymous says
December 19, 2013 at 10:19 amThe whole gift registry thing is a scam because thousands of dollars worth of merchandise is bought at RETAIL price. Gift registries should mark gifts up with a hefty discount for what are essentially guaranteed purchases.
IN NYC, it’s better to give money instead of cluttering up someone’s apartment with an in-personal gift.
LICmom says
December 19, 2013 at 11:55 amAnother headache is getting a not quite age appropriate article of clothing or gift for your child and storing it away, only to find it two years later. At which point your kid is too big or old for it. You can’t win on gifts.
Mikey from Queens says
December 19, 2013 at 1:32 pmI’d give 5 Eli Mannings for 1 Beyonce. And don’t even think of eliminating bachelor parties!
AnonLIC says
December 19, 2013 at 4:36 pm“No Kids Please”