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Overdue Idea: The Digital Physical Gift

Santa Claus goes digital

THE ISSUE: Christmas lights are in the trees, you’ve cleared space on your points card, and you’re humming carols as you stroll down snowy streets looking for gifts.

You search for something for your bookworm friend, but realize you don’t know whether her reading habits tend towards analog (read: books made of paper and ink) or digital. You could ask her, but then you’d be giving up the farm, right? And does she already have that biography of Brian Mulroney you were eying? If she does, she’ll have to lug the thing back to return it, cursing you all the way.

For another friend, you’re thinking music, but you doubt he still has a CD player. And digital song files don’t really lend themselves to wrapping paper under Christmas trees.

Defeated, you trudge to the cash to buy gift cards that you know will probably take up residence in a drawer somewhere alongside five-and-free coffee punch cards, before disappearing altogether. Your Christmas high is fading.

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THE VICTIMS: Apologies for pining for the days of yore, but the digital age has really taken a bite out of the fun of gift buying. Sure, gift cards are easy. But what’s the fun in easy? If it’s about transfer of value, why not just email cash and be done with it? The best gifts are ones that are sought out specifically for someone, and the recipient knows the sender spent time and endured stress to choose it. That’s why it means something. Even if the socks are ugly.

That said, it’s true that some people like some choice in what they get, since it is a hassle to take gifts back for returns. And the digital version of the new (insert obscure Indie band here) album might be exactly what cousin Ronald wants.

But it would be nice to have presents come in a box that can be put under a tree, or at least be wrapped, rather than in a sterile card form or an inbox. I mean, it should at least look like Santa came, right?

THE FIX: The Digital Physical Gift would be a have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too solution for people who like a ribbon around their gift, even if it’s downloadable.

It would all start with a box that could be wrapped like an old-fashioned present. Inside would be a code, which could then be entered on a website that would provide the recipient with a short menu of gift options chosen by the sender. It could be a selection of books or albums, so if you’re not sure whether your friend wants the new Beyonce or the Best of Placebo, let him choose (because you wouldn’t want to get that one wrong). He could also choose whether to download it on the spot or get a CD shipped.

Or it could be handbags, with different colour possibilities. Or maybe yoga pants, with size options (because you REALLY don’t want to get that wrong).

If you’re saying this sounds complicated, you’re right. But it’s okay if it takes effort, because that’s the whole point, right?