My 2017 Christmas haul
Every Christmas, I take inventory of the holiday gifts that my wife gives me.Some people wish for cashmere sweaters, the latest gadget, stylish watches, and jewelry. My hope is often…
The two birthday gifts you should be asking for above all others
My birthday is approaching. My wife often asks me for possible gift ideas, as I can be a difficult person when it comes to presents. I am much more interested…
3 petty bits of nonsense that should never bother you (unless you are equally petty)
1. Friends or relatives who name their baby the same name or a similar name as your childYou don't own the name.You didn't invent the name.The name is not a…
Just eliminate gift registries entirely. Also, divorce registries are disgusting.
A recent New York Times piece tracks the rising popularity of gift registries for occasions other than weddings. While it’s hard to count how many exist, registries for not just…
Seven years of marriage today!
Yesterday was our seventh wedding anniversary. I couldn’t imagine a better day. Best of all, we ended the day in the negative. My anniversary officially kicked off the night before…
The Matthew Dicks Law of Thank You Notes
Inspired by a pair of insipid aunts in Will Schwalbe’s memoir The End of Your Life Book Club, I offer this bit of indisputably accurate wisdom regarding gift giving and…
Based upon this year’s birthday gifts, I’m much more mature than I was two years ago.
My wife gave me tickets to American Idiot, the theatrical adaptation of Green Day’s rock opera of the same name, for my birthday. Coincidentally, a friend who shares the same…
A holiday gift idea that is unusual, renewable, charitable and might gleefully annoy the materialistic moron in your life.
My classroom operates a microloan account through Kiva that has been funded over the years by students through the sale of poetry. We have a total of $250 that we…
