What do ridiculously rich people (like Bill Gates etc.) ask for/get for Christmas/birthdays/etc.?
I know money can’t buy happiness blahblahblah.
Do they do gift exchanges at all?
Do they ask for anything?
They have enough money that they could get anything made or done for them at a moment’s notice. Like having ChatGPT, but for services. Ridiculous things we couldn’t imagine.
Anyone have any insight into general trends along those lines?
I’m nowhere near Bill Gates money and never will be.
I think amongst my circle of family and friends, I probably net 3-4x more than the highest earner I know. For the most part, I can buy myself whatever gadgets or books or food or things I typically want.
But…I don’t, well, I don’t always.
In fact, oftentimes I find myself putting off buying Book A or B because I just don’t feel like it’s a good use of money right now.
Sometimes I won’t even buy myself new socks until all of mine have been worn down to absolute tatters. I own two pairs of jeans and one pair of shoes and they’re going to go until they completely fall apart.
Other times, I want this new game and I don’t buy it because I can’t really justify it for how much time I might end up having for it.
But if anyone I know gets me any of the above or similar, I’d honestly be super happy. It removes that mental battle for me and I get something I actually want / need.
In my defense, at least in 2023, I’ve spent more money on donations, paying other people’s medical premiums, holiday and birthday gifts for others, and vet bills than anything directly for myself 🫣
It’s not that, I can be the same way. I don’t feel I need or have the time for a lot of things. I help charities and do reduced rate work for non profits all the time. Ask me to buy myself sushi, and I’ll consider if I really need O Toro tonight.
I tried that one time. I went over budget and sent a really nice gift. I didn’t receive a gift myself. Then my recipient reported that I didn’t send a gift. I got banned.
The whole idea of a designated time of the year to mass purchase items is just one of capitalism’s greatest tricks. But to answer your question, the ultra rich aren’t human and don’t receive gifts like you and me. Their gifts are the loopholes, human suffering and collapse their greed creates. Merry Christmas.
Doesn’t take extreme wealth for that. I make enough that I can buy whatever I want. The best Christmas gifts are things I wouldn’t think of needing or wanting.
For birthday, it’s usually just a dinner without gifts.
I think that some people, regardless of wealth/income don’t really want “items” to unwrap. That makes sense.
I was imagining that, for Bill Gates (etc.), they could literally just hop on a private jet and fly anywhere in the world to eat at any restaurant they want prepared by a world-class chef. So even certain experiences would be hard to match at home.
Is it usually a home-cooked dinner or a restaurant for you?
No insights, but all the money and resources in the world couldn’t replicate a homemade customized gift of some kind. Probably end up with a lot of knitted scarves and hats lol.
When it comes to a point where someone can buy anything they want, gifts become more of non-material things, like spending time with family or personally crafted items that aren’t necessarily expensive.
I’ve talked about it with people who are not rich themselves but who are around the mega rich because of their jobs… Apparently at a certain point, “things” lose their meaning and experiences become their new materialism. Hence why so many rich people get caught up in depraved shit that makes it on the news, because theyre down the rabbit hole of collecting wild experiences as opposed to cars or jewelry or whatever other entry level rich person stuff. Flexing becomes more about “have you been to x, have you done y” etc
Add comment