The Young Magician's Guide to Gift Receiving

This is advice for everyone, but it’s especially targeted at any younger magicians who might read this site. First, because they’re more likely to run into the situation I’m going to describe. And second because they’re more likely to handle it poorly.

If you’re, like, a 15-year old kid, and word gets out that you’re into magic, you will undoubtedly encounter a situation where you get a Christmas present from your aunt and she’s like, “I got you this book because I heard you like magic!” and it’s some piece of garbage beginner magic book she found at Barnes and Noble.

Or someone will say, “I know you like magic so I got you this deck of playing cards.” And it’s some weird souvenir deck of cards that’s bridge-sized and the cards don’t spread well and there’s no border. It’s the sort of deck you’d never use for a trick.

Or they might even be like, “I know you like magic so I got you this cool Criss Angel Magic Kit!”

In your heart you might be bummed out, but the game you should play is to try and make the person feel great about their gift.

“But I don’t really like the gift.”

I know, but who gives a shit about your dumb feelings?

If you get a gift you don’t love, don’t sulk like a three year old. Instead, take this opportunity to make the other person feel good by being a gracious gift receiver, and set yourself up to perform a trick in the future.

When You Get A Deck You Don’t Like

Bad Reaction: “Mommmm! I told you I need cards printed by the US Playing Card Company! These aren’t going to fan right! Jeez louise. I’m not going to use these cards with the Grand Canyon on the back. I wanted those Ellusionist cards with the cool skulls on it. Dang!”

Good Reaction: “Oh, nice! These are cool. I’ve never seen anyone with this deck. I will think of you every time I use them.”

Set Yourself Up: “I’m going to find a trick that these will work well for, and I’ll show you something soon.”

If they ask any further questions about what you mean about a trick “these will work well for,” you say something like: “Well, all decks are different. They have different finishes, different weights, slightly different sizes, that sort of thing. A lot of beginner tricks can be done with any deck. But some of the more advanced stuff you can only do with decks that work well for that particular trick. I’m going to find something that these cards would be perfect for.”

Not only does this suggest that you’re doing some advanced and interesting stuff (not just card tricks you could learn at the library). But now, when you gather your gift givers to show them a trick (and you’ll want to show them a truly great one), they’ll feel like they’re seeing something special that maybe you’re only able to do because you have this particular deck—the one they gave you.

When You Get A Book or Magic Kit You Don’t Care For

Bad Reaction: “What the…? Joshua Jay’s Big Magic for Little Hands? What the crap is this? I don’t want this kiddie bullshit by this weirdo who’s creeping on kids and their hand sizes! I’m 12-years-old, for cripe’s sake! I’m practically a man. Ask me what I flippin’ want before you spend money on this stuff, you stupid idiot. Sorry, but you are. This Christmas sucks.”

Good Reaction: “Oh, sweet! This looks very interesting. Thank you, Grandma! You’re the best.”

Set Yourself Up: “As soon as I can, I’m going to learn something from this and show it to you.”

Now, what you do is you perfect the best trick you can think of—something far better than anything that can be found in the gift they gave you. And the next time you see the gift giver, you say, “Hey, I have something to show you from that book (or magic set).” And you show them your most amazing trick. They should be excited because you learned this great trick from their gift. With any luck, they’ll buy themselves a copy of the gift they gave you and look for the secret to the trick, and be bewildered when they can’t find it.

I’ve written in the past about the subject of Hooks. That is, something you have, or do, or say, that can lead you into a trick. Instead of looking at a junky deck or a beginner book as a bad gift, look at it as an ideal Hook for a future performance. “Hey, I wanted to show you something from that book you got me.” There’s no better way to get into a trick and bring them some joy, even if the reality is that it doesn’t come from that book or that magic kit or whatever. You see, the truth of the matter is that there are no bad magic gifts. Even a bad gift can be a good Hook. So put a smile on your face and be grateful. And then, at some point in the future, use their gift as a Hook to break their brain.

Now, you might say, “Okay, but what if it wasn’t a bad gift from a well-intentioned loved one? What if it was a bad gift from someone who just put no thought into the gift at all? They just said to themselves, ‘Ah, he likes magic. I’ll get him this deck of cards and be done with it.’”

Well, in that case, my advice is just the same. Turn the gift around and use it as a Hook for a future performance.

You see, this isn’t just magic advice. This is good practice for a mindset that you should develop where you are able to take everything you’re that comes your way—whether that be gifts you’re given, comments someone directs towards you, bad breaks you get, or life situations that are dealt you—and turn them into something positive.