According to my family I used to be "easy" to shop for but that's changed in recent years. When they ask me what I want for Christmas my first thought is to ask for tpbs and graphic novels.
When I started providing a list I realized I couldn't buy anything I really want for a whole month and I have to brace myself in case I received the incorrect volumes or doubles of what I already have. So now I'm adopting the policy of asking for stuff I wanna try reading instead of the stuff I know I want. I think that's how it's going to work for me... Also, I keep a google doc of the trades we own so my sister can check it periodically.
I'm curious if anyone else runs into this issue around Christmas. Last year I got what I wanted but the two Christmases previous to that... pretty junky from a comic perspective. >.<
(For the record, my wish list this year includes stuff like The Losers, Queen & Country, Criminal, some JLA trades, Air and some antiquated Batmans).
Have a Comic-full Christmas?
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ChimeraCreative
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Have a Comic-full Christmas?
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Tragic Angelus
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Last year was the first year in about 10 years I asked for Comics/TPBs for Christmas. I normally only ask for bags and boards because those are needed so often, but I put TPBs on my mother's list last year.
I got Super-specific and listed softcover, full titles (Legion of Superheroes: Enemy Manifest) and if there was a volume number, put it there, or even put the artists/writer by it so she could basically hand the list to someone behind a desk at a comic shop or bookstore and say "I need these" which she did.
I'm doing the same this year, but yeah with things I either am considering or haven't made up my mind on, like Chew or maybe The Walking Dead now. Things that if I don't get all of it won't matter, but I don't need right away. I also make it a point to say "If you can't get volume 1, I can't read volume 2 so don't bother." It comes off dickish, but my parents know how I take the stuff and can't just jump around.
Basically, my best advice is when you give a list, give it as detailed as possible (Hardcover, softcover, vol 1: Endgage, vol 2: Strike, etc) and hell, include cover pictures if you can to avoid big mistakes.
I got Super-specific and listed softcover, full titles (Legion of Superheroes: Enemy Manifest) and if there was a volume number, put it there, or even put the artists/writer by it so she could basically hand the list to someone behind a desk at a comic shop or bookstore and say "I need these" which she did.
I'm doing the same this year, but yeah with things I either am considering or haven't made up my mind on, like Chew or maybe The Walking Dead now. Things that if I don't get all of it won't matter, but I don't need right away. I also make it a point to say "If you can't get volume 1, I can't read volume 2 so don't bother." It comes off dickish, but my parents know how I take the stuff and can't just jump around.
Basically, my best advice is when you give a list, give it as detailed as possible (Hardcover, softcover, vol 1: Endgage, vol 2: Strike, etc) and hell, include cover pictures if you can to avoid big mistakes.
I give my list to my mom. She's gotten good at it as the years go by. She's been going to comic stores in strange cities for me for a while now, so I can just give her my purchase list and she is fine with that.
Mind you, my purchase list included title, volume, issue, and price/condition wanted is the comic is $30+.
She has always done a good job of it.
She went into a store once for a X-Mas gift and asked for specific issues of Miracle Man and the guy behind the desk was so surprised someone else had to help her.
Anyone else is hopeless though.
I get a lot of comic related gifts, like Marvel History books, and that sort of thing which I hate. I like the comics, not all the gimicky crap that goes with it. Anyone else get that problem?
My mom and girlfriend have learned unless it is a specific comic thing I have asked for, or hinted at wanting, don't bother. There is so much crap out there.
Mind you, my purchase list included title, volume, issue, and price/condition wanted is the comic is $30+.
She has always done a good job of it.
She went into a store once for a X-Mas gift and asked for specific issues of Miracle Man and the guy behind the desk was so surprised someone else had to help her.
Anyone else is hopeless though.
I get a lot of comic related gifts, like Marvel History books, and that sort of thing which I hate. I like the comics, not all the gimicky crap that goes with it. Anyone else get that problem?
My mom and girlfriend have learned unless it is a specific comic thing I have asked for, or hinted at wanting, don't bother. There is so much crap out there.
"French is like anal, exotic but oh so unnecessary."
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Tragic Angelus
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My mom occasionally finds T-Shirts, cups, random things that because they're comic related I must automatically like. Last year I got 3 Spider-Man shot glasses. They're cool and all but nothing I would've gone out to get for myself. She occasionally still gets weird stuff, but my family learned quick that what I wanted I usually bought when it came to comic things, including actual books.
After about 2 years my family stopped buying collections of books at swap meets, flea markets, etc because they thought I'd like them when I basically told them after 2 large bundles that I already had everything they'd just bought and really didn't want or need 2-3 extra copies of them.
Yeah, I'd say stick to a specific list and you'll be fine.
After about 2 years my family stopped buying collections of books at swap meets, flea markets, etc because they thought I'd like them when I basically told them after 2 large bundles that I already had everything they'd just bought and really didn't want or need 2-3 extra copies of them.
Yeah, I'd say stick to a specific list and you'll be fine.
Since my sister lives in Paris where the biggest comics of France is, I have taken the habit of giving her a TPB list for my birthday and Christmas. (Got the complete No Man's Land tpbs this way once)
This year, I'm going for Taschen book about 75 years of DC history. That might take some convincing considering the price but she usually teams with my bro and I'm sure my parents will contribute too so I'm hopeful.
I'll still give her a list of TPBs as back-up in case they decide it's too expensive.
This year, I'm going for Taschen book about 75 years of DC history. That might take some convincing considering the price but she usually teams with my bro and I'm sure my parents will contribute too so I'm hopeful.
I'll still give her a list of TPBs as back-up in case they decide it's too expensive.
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Mr Wallstreet
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Happened to me once or twice but for the past of couple of years most my friends & family have refused to buy me comics for presents and have instead opted to get more age-appropriate gifts: Shoes, clothes etc. Things they feel I should be spending my money on rather than comics.
My hobby is still frowned upon by my family & friends. They don't hate the hobby per se, but they'd much rather I spend my money on things they feel adults should be spending their money on.
My hobby is still frowned upon by my family & friends. They don't hate the hobby per se, but they'd much rather I spend my money on things they feel adults should be spending their money on.
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Stocky Boy
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Specific lists are the way!
My brother's easy to trust with a comics list, he knows what he's doing since he gets to read most of my trades. He would also instinctively know that the best policy for present buying is to ask the person what they want, especially when it's to do with a specialist interest. After all, why should he be expected to know exactly which trades I have and haven't got in my ridiculously growing collection? Even though he reads my books, he's just not going to be able to memorise my collection or anticipate something new that I might like. So, smart brother; knowing to ask.
I'm glad no one in my family has ever taken it upon themselves to get me comics or comic related stuff. I'm guessing the gene that makes you paranoid about the gift receivers genuine feeling about your gift, if you weren't given a list, must be pretty strong in the Stockwell line.
Like with Andrea, I tend to use this present receiving initiative as a why of trying things I might be interested in, but wouldn't ordinarily have at the top of my next purchase list. If you end up not liking the book you got as a gift, you completely bypass that feeling of wallet regret, since you didn't spend your money on it.
I'm not entirely sure what my family's opinion on my comic hobby is. There's no forthcoming expressions of disgust or even dissapointment. I think they just see it as something specialist he likes.
My brother's easy to trust with a comics list, he knows what he's doing since he gets to read most of my trades. He would also instinctively know that the best policy for present buying is to ask the person what they want, especially when it's to do with a specialist interest. After all, why should he be expected to know exactly which trades I have and haven't got in my ridiculously growing collection? Even though he reads my books, he's just not going to be able to memorise my collection or anticipate something new that I might like. So, smart brother; knowing to ask.
I'm glad no one in my family has ever taken it upon themselves to get me comics or comic related stuff. I'm guessing the gene that makes you paranoid about the gift receivers genuine feeling about your gift, if you weren't given a list, must be pretty strong in the Stockwell line.
Like with Andrea, I tend to use this present receiving initiative as a why of trying things I might be interested in, but wouldn't ordinarily have at the top of my next purchase list. If you end up not liking the book you got as a gift, you completely bypass that feeling of wallet regret, since you didn't spend your money on it.
I'm not entirely sure what my family's opinion on my comic hobby is. There's no forthcoming expressions of disgust or even dissapointment. I think they just see it as something specialist he likes.