Thursday, December 20, 2007

Debra - MY GIFTS TO YOU


It's that time of year. My mind seems occupied with gifts (the buying, not the getting) and food and surviving the holiday.

So often I see a lifestyle celebrity on television who makes the simple gift or kindness look so sophisticated. I think, "Why can't I do that? Why do I worry that I haven't gotten the right gifts or enough gifts for people? Why do I compare what they got me to what I got them?"

Why can't I accept a gift and say thank you instead of cringing because the gift is from someone who isn't on my "exchange" list? Why didn't I have a clue they might get me a gift? Why does it matter if I haven't gotten them a gift? Why do I feel like a grinch if that happens? Why am I so clueless and shallow ??????

Okay, I'm not actually self-aware enough to have asked myself that last question.

But I have decided that I need to offer you--RWTTD's faithful Hadji's, Xanders, Jugheads, Jimmy Olsens, Pucks, Samwises, and Katos--a gift. (Well-known sidekicks were easier to come up with than well-known buds. After you type, Thelma and Louise and Butch and Sundance, you're pretty much done. Besides all those "ands" are confusing. So the sidekick list was more fun for the writer in me. Psst...did you notice I have a thing for male sidekicks? Who are our female sidekicks besides Cheeta?)

But back to you... In appreciation of your slogging here for coffee with us each morning, lunch on the odd Wednesday and cocktails whenever we flick-on the OPEN light, I'm giving you laughter, joy, and health.

Re: Laughter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8
Give these boys a chance. It's hysterical and if you don't have a smile on your face by the time they're done singing, you need to see the Wizard about a heart.

Re: Joy
(Yes. That is what you think it is but it's really small. Counter intuitive, huh?) Okay, I understand the "waterproof" bit but what's the little carrying strap for? My best guess is that the manufacturer believes this is the female version of the Swiss Army Knife and that the strap is only the tip of the iceberg. If future versions of this thing have a nail file and a screw driver on board, I'm getting one for my whole gift list. Joy to the world and all that. Plus it ships with free batteries.

Re: Health
Women are special, so here's a list of foods that address our particular nutritional needs. If you click on the item the content box will display a picture and tell you why the food item is good for women. Now you can say, "Take me to dinner. I need curry and I need it now." No one can argue with you.

These are my gifts to you. What are you giving out this year?

15 comments:

Jane said...

Your post is similar to Oprah's favorite things show. Pocket rockets are the best. They're small, but powerful. I think I'm giving gift cards this year because I haven't done much shopping.

Dara Edmondson said...

Darn - why didn't I think to buy my friends the pocket rocket? This year I bought healthy gifts for family - a punching bag for DH, a bike for DD and a GPS system for DS (to keep him unlost and safe). I've also done lots of gift cards for friends - my fave to receive!

Anonymous said...

Deb, you are my hero! I LOVED the singers! They turned one of my least-favorite-ever songs into a treat. And hey, the pocket rocket. . . a find for lots of reasons!

But interestingly, the "16 super foods for women" was a blessing, too. I'm really working on the health thing and just seeing these made me want to work harder. I printed it out and stuck in on the fridge.

Oh, great. Now I have to come up with a present for everybody, too! And I thought my shopping was almost finished!
:) Betina

Debra Dixon said...

Jane-- I too am a gift card giver. Especially to the young men on my list. It's either a shirt from the gap, gaming store gift card, or movie passes!

Dara--GPS. That's an excellent one. I can't say what I'm getting my DH for Xmas since he often reads the blog!

Cindy Gerard said...

Betina - I'm shocked. Shocked I tell you. nice girl like you. Giving a gift like that.
All I have to say is - WISH I were on your Christmas list!!!!
And I loved the choir boys.:o)
And thanks for the food list too. It helps reinforce what I'm trying to do health wise. Only I am responsible for what I eat but it helps to be nudged in the right direction.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone.

Michele Hauf said...

Thanks for the gifts, Deb!
I'm becoming more of a gift card giver. I used to think that was cheating, but seeing my Xmas shopping STILL isn't done, I'm going for the GCs.

My gift to everyone would be the freedom to be yourself, to not worry what others think about you, and to march on, whether you be wise, odd, spectacular, or all of the above!

Debra Dixon said...

Betina-- Yes, I loved the singing group. Cracked me up. And fascinated me. Also the foods list was very interesting. Putting it on the fridge is a good idea! If only someone, somewhere had TOLD me that magnets don't stick to stainless steel when we were getting appliances back during the great "remodel!"

Debra Dixon said...

Cindy-- LOL! It's a Deb post, not a Betina post, but I'm considering that YOUR gift to me. Betina does such thoughtful clever posts. I love that your fingers typed "Betina" when commenting on the post. Yay for me!

Michele-- Okay, that's a good gift--the ability to march on and embrace who we are. Wish I'd thought of that.

Christie Ridgway said...

I love to give gift cards too. Yes, especially to the young men on my list. I give the usuals as well as the Wii points card. Much appreciated by my gamer relations.

Oh, my. Pocket Rocket. 'Nuff said.

For my little guy this year I bought him an old-school Rubik's Cube and a new-school Suduko Cube. And Surfer Guy is getting one of those homedics back massagers with heat...I figure we'll all enjoy it.

Cindy Gerard said...

Whoops. sorry Deb - and Betina :o)
Call it Christmas muddle. The mind is on overload.:o)

Debra Dixon said...

Christie-- The Sudoko cube is great!

Cindy-- Not to worry. I loved the comparison. :)

Playground Monitor said...

I love the a cappella group! So clever.

My sister and I give our mother a Blockbuster online membership every year. She gets movies all year long and can get a lot of the old movies she enjoys so much.

My sister and I stopped exchanging gifts a few years ago and instead we take a "girl road trip" each year. One year we went to Nashville and did all the country music stuff. Last year we drove the Natchez Trace and stayed in B&B's the whole way. Last month we took a 4-day cruise to Cozumel. Fun, fun and more fun!

Pocket rocket indeed. If my mother knew I was hanging out with girls like you, she'd ground me. *g*

Marilyn

Debra Dixon said...

Marilyn--

I only just now gotten my sister to agree to draw names in the family! I probably could have gotten her to agree a lot sooner if I'd thought of a road trip.

The family keeps talking about taking a cruise one year instead of presents. I'd love to do that if we can convince everyone at the same time.

Helen Brenna said...

Thanks, Deb, what fun! LOVE the singers.

I wish I'd had the pocket rocket idea earlier - will keep in mind for next year.

Giftcards are great. I love the video membership idea, too.

My kids each got 1 big gift this year, and that's it other than a few little stocking stuffers. It was an easy shopping year for me, thank heavens!! Had a 12/31 deadline.

I got a great xmas present this year - a 3 book contract with HQ Supers! Merry Christmas to me!!

Anonymous said...

Deb! Deb! As a woman of age now, I am shocked. (Where can I get one of those pocket rockets again?)

Great post! Wonderful gifts. Thank you.

Carol Anne