Years ago on my birthday, I was hanging around a pool with my dad, trying to stay cool (it was very hot). We had eaten a simple lunch and were enjoying each other’s company. As I was dozing on a lounge chair, much to my delight and horror, I was jarred awake by a mariachi band my dad secretly hired. They played “La Cucaracha” and “Happy Birthday” and then quickly left. So bizarre! So fun! Loved it!! My dad and I laughed about it for years and years. Making memories together is the best gift!!

@SuperLiesZ

3 жыл бұрын

Awh sounds lovely!

@lin90210

3 жыл бұрын

Haha love it

@nikkihobson5632

3 жыл бұрын

That’s amazing!!

Giving gifts on birthdays, anniversaries, weddings etc is a tradition that society imposes on us. I feel that there should not be any obligation when it comes to giving gifts. Also, this tradition makes us “expect” “gifts” from others. I told my husband and kids not to give me any birthday, anniversary etc gifts. I love to cook my husband’s and kids’ favorite meal all year round and not just on their birthdays. For me acts of love and kindness for your loved ones and others are more meaningful than materialistic “gifts.”

Hi Josh, Ryan and Rebecca: I give the gift of time to my elderly friends. They really appreciate time spent with them because they often feel lonely and isolated.

I was given a "gold gift card" from my older brother a couple of years ago. I could choose from a variety of items; all from designer ornaments to more quality useful items. I chose a breakfast set with dishes, mugs and so forth since I thought I had use for a new set of dishes and since they looked so nice. During covid I became more aware of what I had and what I actually valued. After a while I decided to resell the brand new and unused set and got twice what my brother payed for the gift card himself. I noticed him in advance because I felt like I wanted him to understand my thoughts around it. He understands my reasons and thoughts about it since he himself values more of a minimalistic home. He could have been angry, but he took it calmly and understood why I felt no need to keep the gift. He did not care about the amount I got from it, even though I did. For him it was more pleasing to think that someone else would have use for it. Now I am happy using my few, cheap, plainly white and older more worn dishes. I find I don't need much else as they bring me value as they are. Edit: I would also like to state that between me and my two brothers we have come to an agreement and understanding that gifts are foolish and unnecessary. So we no longer give each other gifts. It makes everything much easier as we don't have to spend money or think about what the other person would like or what they actually need. Giving gifts is more than often a neucance and it can create a split in the relationship when one gives or is given something that can be interpreted as an insult if one gives more than the other does. Giving a gift can be nice if it's not forced upon or if it is a mutual idea, like giving an opportunity to experience something nice. I myself like to be given favors or a get together with a nice meal. Just hiking and a nice meal afterwards, with a long nice conversation is more than good enough. Gifts doesn't have to about spending money on items. More than often we tend to dislike the items we get, but experiences like trips and a nice get together creates long lasting memories and can make the bond stronger between you and your friends and family.

You should read the 5 love languages, it’s not like you think. The book talks about how each person can feel loved in different ways. So if you give a gift to someone whose love language is another, well that’s good for nothing. Someone whose love language is getting gifts does not necessarily mean it has to be something bought in a store. It can be a note, a flower, a home made cupcake, a song dedication etc etc. The love language that should be expressed to other is not your own, but of the other.

@lamochilademary1969

3 жыл бұрын

Sorry about the “that’s not good for nothing” I meant... that’s good for nothing.

@thatsnotmyunicorn

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for posting this. I was disappointed by the ignorance in this podcast regarding the Five Love Languages.

@ah5721

2 жыл бұрын

I agree they need to read the book the 5 love languages ! It helps me in giving my kids affection. My daughter's is being touched if she could live off hugs she would be golden , and my sons is spending time with him. I feel relieved they don't need gifts to feel like they are shown affection.

One important thing - if you tell a person not to give you a gift what you are actually doing is taking from that person. You are taking the joy of giving.

For my birthday, I take the day off work. 👍

One of my favorite gifts I've received was tickets to see Kevin Smith live. It was a great experience and snowballed into a big life change. So much better than a random thing I don't need taking up space.

Zero waste goes hand in hand with minimalism. I usually get money for my birthday or alcohol. For Christmas, my parents give me a replacement pair of sneakers and cash (because I wear out my shoes running in my neighborhood). I try to give experiences or alcohol to people. Gift cards are always welcome especially for restaurants or events!

@utub1473

3 жыл бұрын

If you’re buying for someone who doesn’t drink but enjoys soda, an imported flavour also acts a great gift. It’s a hilarious thought, but I can honestly tell you that the birthday I receive a can of cherry coke will be a great one.

Happy Birthday Josh! Last year my Army son surprised me at a 80th birthday celebration for my mother in law. A knock at the door and in he came! Nearly passed out! Best ever 💗Receiving can be as good as giving!

Love your episode. We often associate gift giving with love. So if someone forgets your birthday (especially a loved one) you feel a sense of rejection so your birthday is effectively spoilt.

For my BIG 60 recently my friends gave me a dinner cruise around NYC. Fun experience with great memories, photos & no clutter Loved the experience!

Happy Birthday Joshua! Have a great day! Thank you to all of you for everything - I listen to your podcasts regularly. X

I like to go to the store with my Birthday Man & read the cards, I will show the card I would have bought. Then we have a drink on Hallmark ;)

I loved that Bex made the note that it was okay for Ella to be her own person and to like gifts and that they weren't going to force their values on her. My parents were honestly the exact opposite of that and it made me grow up to feel like I was bad, terribly flawed, and never good enough. Thank you for being sensitive parents!

Happy Birthday! Thank you for the inspiration and I was excited to join the private podcasts. Heading toward 70 this year and happy to be learning from you and your guests. We give experiences and favorite consumables for birthday gifts.

I just gave a big bag of craft supplies to my neighbor. If I haven't used it in a year, it's gone. I am 71. Happy Birthday. Tina

I do not need gifts but I do like a road trip, a new place to explore, a natural wonder to see. Gas and lunch is all we spend money on.

Happy Birthday! Turning 40 myself in a few weeks. LOVE the documentaries and the podcast. Recommend and spread the word about you both and all you do to anyone who will listen. Grateful for you both and all who help bring you to us.

After retiring early I began volunteering at the Hermitage No Kill Cat Shelter in Tucson, AZ. My social circle of friends skyrocketed from there. Now whenever one of us is celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or has a death in the family, our gifts are always donations made to the shelter in that person's name. With the ability to set up a birthday donation request on Facebook, more people than ever are following suit. Earlier this year one of my closest friends from the shelter was able to have over $1,000 in donations made to the Hermitage on her behalf.

Thank you for your book, podcast and message. I would like to share an opinion concerning gift giving in regards to raising and training children. Since children have a natural bent towards narcissism one of the tools I used to try to move them outside of themselves and focus on their friends, cousins, siblings is by requiring them to use their own hard earned money to purchase gifts that they took time to ponder and focus on the gift receiver and purchase something that they think the other person would like to get.

Happy 40th Birthday Joshua 🎂 🤗 My gift is my appreciation for you guys 💝

Happy Birthday Josh! 40 is the new 30 ENJOY!!!

Happy Birthday Joshua! Thank you all for your wonderful podcasts, I listen regularly thanks to my husband introducing me to your minimalism doc on Netflix Less is now & the original documentary is where it started and from then followed your podcasts , so thank you for this 💕🥰.

I am so inlove with your friendship Josh and Ryan 😍 Friendship is the best gift that you gave with each other 💚

My favorite gift is a hug!

A pack of Phillies blunt cigars??!!! 🤣🤣😅🤣😅 You guys are hilarious

Happy Birthday Joshua! Wishing you a spectacular day! I really enjoy your podcast and am considering the private version!

Happy Birthday Joshua!!

Happy birthday man! Thank you for what you all are doing!

Happy Birthday Josh! I had a friend who decided to have a fancy dinner and invited her friends (we paid for the dinner - no prob) and the invitation said "no gifts please". I honored her request by not bringing a gift, as did one other friend. Everyone else knew her well enough to know she didn't mean it and brought a gift. It became clear that we were all supposed to bring a gift and my other friend and I felt uncomfortable. When my birthday came up I told my "no gift friend" that I REALLY didn't want any gifts, explained my preferences as a minimalist, and suggested that she could buy me lunch (I chose an inexpensive place). She brought me three gifts and didn't pay for lunch - wtf? I really don't understand people sometimes.

One of your best videos. Covers so much more than gifts. Loved it

Happy Birthday Joshua, loved today’s video!

Happy birthday Josh. Thank you for your podcasts. Take care

Joshua! Belated Happy Birthday! Another great episode! Thank you and Ryan, for continually sharing your insights. Continued success!! See you in January 2022 in DC!!

thanks for this. this is really helpful.

Happy Birthday Mr M! 🌹

These days my best birthday gifts are spending time with people, a good meal. Some of my best birthdays are just spent on my own, a good coffee in a cafe, etc If your going give money, don’t put conditions on it

Love y’all’s videos keep it up :)

Love this podcast! Makes me happy and laugh. ❤️

Happiest Birthday Josh 🎂 you deserve a big hug🤗

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSHUA !!

Happy Birthday Joshua!

Happy birthday Josh! I share the same birthday😊

Y’all, this is free therapy! What great advice about boundaries! Love you guys. Nope, really LIKE you guys. 😉 Welcome to the 40s, the decade of our mid-life crises! Ha! Planning mine now...

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Josh!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Yes. I keep telling a person to please not buy/exchange gifts. This person refuses to stop. Causes me stress. Why do we have to give anything?

Happy Birthday! Plaid Boxers can be the new separator when you are traveling! :-D

There’s a term used in the , UK, and maybe the US in medical notes when referring to patients ‘Non compliance’ often linked to underlying untreated problems, either mental health or lack of support It’s a term I hate

Happy belated birthday!! 🥳🥳🥳

Happy birthday Josh 🎉🎉

Happy birthday 🎉🎂🎊

Happy 40th Birthday Josh! Take care.

I have been giving visa giftcards for years and now Cash app money to my friends and family with a HB message in the note line. Go buy what you want or spend it on an experience. So stress free. For kids, we just purchase gift cards to a restaurant or store the kid likes, just ask the parents. 🤗

Happy Birthday! I don't do apple, so I'm sorry that I won't be going over there to rate your show. I'll like it here, though. Also, thank you for all you do! Have a Blessed Year (whatever that means to you)!

Happy Birthday Josh.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday nice to see your wife in the video hi great listening

There is nothing wrong with being 40-yrs-old. :) I hope you have a fun Ireland trip!

I feel guilty not showing up with something due to my Midwest upbringing and my mamas teaching. So if I bring something I try to bring perishable items such as favorite snacks, lip balms, etc. When I was gifted plastic Tupperware by my mom I said thank you for the thought but I really don't use plastic anymore. She was a bit upset but she now doesn't buy me plastic things. Joshua and Ryan I really think you should read the 5 love languages book . I read it and it helps me show my kids affection that is tailored to them such as my daughter's is being touched. just a pat on the head and she beams and behaviors better when she gets hugged or head patted. my sons is spending time so I make an effort to talk to him when I pick him up. You don't have to show up with meaningless gifts if a person feels cared for if gift giving is their language ask their close family what their favorite perishable goods -makeup , drinks, lip balm, food , tp. People like those things and then they don't have a thing they don't need.

Ryan, look me up when you come to Ireland 🇮🇪 xxxx ❤

My thought on reading books: you don't have to read all of it for it to be meaningful or beneficial. Same for KZread be channels. I can't watch everything that I want so sometimes I need to just watch 3 minutes and that's enough. It was still meaningful to me

Gifts, yes people want to give.. even when moving to a new place. Happy birthday!!!

What a beauty Rebecca is and a lovely person.

I think you guys are obsessed with food. Between the grocery store and the coffee shop you might just be foodies

Most of the things we get as gifts are paper weights :)

Lol, have you been to MN, we burn trash. I figure I'd rather have the atmosphere handle vs killing something in the ocean. We do recycle.

+

You'd make the JWs proud by not celebrating

Happy Birthday!