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The answer to this question really depends on the financial situation of the person answering it. As a college student, in a position where money is scarce, I have to argue on the "no" side of this debate. Giving is, for me, an extremely hard thing to do. Even the smallest token of affection, such as cards or homemade gifts, can prove to break the bounds of my budget. I can hardly afford to feed myself, my shampoo comes from years of collecting the little travel sized bottles at hotels. My clothes are tattered, my shoes have holes in the toes. Yet somehow I am still expected to join the Holiday "cheer" and fling whatever cash I might have into the hands of the super-rich corporations that I can only hope to one day work for.

Time and time again, around the Holiday season, I am asked the same dreadful question "what do you want for Christmas", to which I really have no answer. This used to be my favorite question, as a kid I always had a great answer all lined up. However, I have never had to answer this question knowing that I had nothing to offer in return. I always had my entire allowance saved, ready to go find the perfect little gifts, under $20, which would light up the faces of all my friends and family. Now I come closer and closer to Christmas with nothing to offer but an outstretched hand, praying that my family doesn't notice that hand arriving empty.

So this year I have to say, giving is in no way better than receiving. To be honest giving will never be better than receiving, but the pure ability to give is what evens the plane. In this time of peril I have brainstormed every possible gift idea, under 99 cents, and am still unsure where to take it. So standing here broke, and as grumpy as scrooge, I have to say that nobody on my Christmas list will be receiving anything from me this year. Call me what you will, but this is honestly all I can offer. I just hope my family can be happy enough with my simple presence as a present.

Learn more about this author, Christopher Wedgwood.
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