Gifts for friends and enemies: a fictional guide
From the “Iliad” to “Succession”, storytelling can help with your Christmas shopping
The man who has everything is only the start of your worries. What about the uncle with obnoxious views and the teenage niece you scarcely know? Suggestions for what to get people for Christmas abound, but, collectively, classic stories provide one of the best guides to gifts. An overarching lesson is that a present is not just an object but a statement—about you, the recipient and your feelings towards them. Another is that gifts are a chance to express hostility as well as affection.
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This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “Buyer beware”
Culture December 7th 2024
From the December 7th 2024 edition
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