Holiday Blog

By another teacher

December 6, 2007 7:55 AM | Link to this

Funny this topic came up, I was just going to order my present this morning from LLBean.

I realized a long time ago that in order to get what I wanted, I had to buy it myself.

I don’t really miss being surprised, I’m happier if I get what I wanted but couldn’t justify just buying for no reason than I would be if he picked something out that I wouldn’t use or enjoy.

By JJ

December 6, 2007 8:04 AM | Link to this

My brother and I go shopping together and pick out our own presents from each other. Then we each take the other’s present, wrap it up and put it under the tree at our Mom’s.

We do for our birthdays too. He’s hard to buy for so it makes it very easy on us.

My mom will take the Grandkids shipping and buys a few things they pick out. This seems to work well, as they are 17, 16 & 12. This is done about a month before Christmas, and they forget all about what they picked out until Christmas day.

By FCM

December 6, 2007 8:05 AM | Link to this

I give a distinct ‘Santa’ list to my parents who then take the children looking for my present. I detail what store and approximate price….This has worked several times—I don’t exactly what on the list I will get so there is still surprise. The kids get pickout stuff (and they add special things “Mom Needs to Have This” from them that are not on the list too)…..Now if I could just get my Mom to use that same list!

By FCM

December 6, 2007 8:06 AM | Link to this

Oh! Mom always picks up things she likes/wants for herself then gift wraps them and says they are from the dog…complete with putting ‘Rover’ in the From spot…you could do that.

By fk

December 6, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this

Yes, but only b/c this is one of the busiest times of the year for my husband at work. I am in the stores more frequently, so if I see something that I like, I pick it up. I make him a simple list of items to choose from…books, perfume, etc. He usually throws in a little surprise, but we don’t get extravagant. A couple of years ago, we were in the lingerie dept., looking for flannel-lined silk pj’s for his mother. He strolled over to a very different rack and picked out something for me. He was done….concentration broken. That gift was not opened on Christmas morning.

Since it has become too much for my mom to shop (she’s a yong 84), she gives her older grandchildren money, but I know she would rather give a present. So, I pick out something for my son, 16, from my parents, wrap it up, etc., and she sends the money. He has always liked what Grandma picked out. Hmmmm….

By Jennifer

December 6, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this

I bought my own gifts one Christmas. The Christmas before, my husband declared “no gifts” for no reason other than he didn’t feel like messing with it. The kids thought I was on Santa’s naughty list when I was sitting there empty-handed on Christmas morning. Luckily he realized that idea was stupid so I don’t have to buy my own gifts any more. I do make him a list with plenty to choose from. We both have a shared hobby- cooking- so he’s getting a lot better at getting me kitchen stuff, even if it’s really something he wants.

By poplin6302

December 6, 2007 8:39 AM | Link to this

I was going to say that the movie was from the baby — she’s very smart!!!

I told my husband about me putting the movie back and he was like “oh I’m over that now — you should have just bought it” — I think we only had one child when I got in trouble for buying my own things — now with three, we’ve got to be efficient —

By Theresa

December 6, 2007 8:41 AM | Link to this

that was Theresa above — it doesn’t recognize my other login —

By One

December 6, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this

Mom always picks up things she likes/wants for herself then gift wraps them and says they are from the dog…complete with putting ‘Rover’ in the From spot I like that!!!

I was going to say that the movie was from the baby — she’s very smart!!! That’s a good one too!

By Jeff

December 6, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this

Well, my grandmother generally gives my parents money to buy christmas presents for me and my brothers. We then go and select what we want, and mom and dad wrap it up. We then go over to her house on Christmas day and open them. Typically we’ve forgotten at that point what it was we had gotten, so she gets a genuine surprise and we get an ‘oh yeah….’ moment.

My mom just called this morning and asked what to get T and me, since she had no clue, so while I know generally what I’ll be getting from them this year, I don’t know the exact thing. (I’ve recently started reading a new author, and I just told her the two books that I have and asked her to get one of the others from him.)

As far as what I’m getting from T, I honestly have no clue. She’s good at remembering details of what I say I like when we’re browsing through stores, so I’m sure it’ll be something I’ve mentioned over the past couple of months.

T, on the other hand, knows EXACTLY what she is getting from me, with only one small exception. (A CD I bought for her.) One of the things I handed her my debit card and let her go buy - she was shopping with my mother at the time, I was watching the UGA/Tech game. The two DVD’s she is getting she picked out (I also picked out two at the same time from her). The biggie she knows- she wanted a Wii and her mom found one and I paid for it. One other item she knows about, but I don’t actually have it yet - I’ll pick it up tomorrow - but I’m also getting her a surprise with that one. Still gotta figure out the last thing I’m getting her, but I recieved a really good idea last night that I’ll probably go with - much to my own chagrin!

By lovelyliz

December 6, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this

I had all my holiday shopping As for my take on buying my own presents:

My friends & family claim that I am so hard to shop for because anything I want I go out and buy for myself. I’ve told my sister that this just isn’t true. Anyone who is close to me should know this isn’t true. For one thing I don’t make enough $$$ to do this. Rather than continue the argument, I give in and create a list of things I would like to get from Santa.

The list goes out via the grapevine and I wait patiently for Christmas morning. I open my gifts and surprise! surprise! Almost all the gifts I receive didn’t come from the list and are so NOT ME that I am left wondering where they came up the idea. Of course I graciously accept what I’ve been given and use it appropriately unlike my sister-in-law who returns almost everything she has been given. I am not exaggerating. The family joke is to put the receipt in with her gift. Then the weekend after Christmas I start my shopping for things I would have bought but didn’t because they wanted a list they weren’t going to buy from anyway.

It’s gotten to the point I wish gifts were eliminated and good conversation and dinner were the norm. Either that or give to a charity in the name of the recipient.

By JJ

December 6, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this

Lovelyliz My ex-sister in law (Thankfully) gave each person a specific list of what she wanted from that person. She gave very expensive lists to her parents and my mother, gave me a specific list, etc. On the parents’ lists, there was nothing under $100, and on my list there was nothing under $75.00. Then she would take EVERYTHING back and get the cash, and then go get what she really wanted. Usually around $500.00. Like one year she took everything back and bought herself a nice stereo system. Once I saw what she did, I started to give her cheap presents…..

I am happy with anything anyone gives me. The fact that someone put thought into a gift for me, thrills me to no end.

By nurse&mother

December 6, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this

I’m just curious-Is this what Christmas is all about? Giving each other gifts that no one wants, or having to send out a list of things you would like to receive? I have posted a few times recently (sorry to those regulars on Momania who have already heard this) that my husband and I no longer exchange gifts. We only give the children presents (this year we have included our parents). The rest of our family and friends have decided to go out and do something fun instead of exchanging gifts. We go to the aquarium, the Children’s discovery museum, go to IMAX etc. We spend time with one another which IMO is the most important thing during this time of year. You guys should give it a try!

By nurse&mother

December 6, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this

Reading some of these comments brings back very funny memories of my husband’s extended family. Boy, I don’t miss all the things you guys are writing about. (Although I have very similar tales! LOL)

Just a suggestion. Has anyone thought of baking goodies for some of those on your list? works well for co-workers and those that you don’t know well, but want to think of them. (very little money, don’t necessarily need to know things they like, but you are still being thoughtful:0)

By JJ

December 6, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

I plan a “cookie Party” at my house usually a week or two before Christmas. We invite all my daughter’s friends, a few of mine, and all the neighbor kids. We make sugar cookies, cut them out in cute shapes, and decorate them. Everyone gets to take some home, and some are delivered to the other neighbors, and some are brought into the office.

And I also spend time making treats and giving them to the neighbors and my co-workers. We will deliver plates of goodies to them, wrapped with colored saran wrap and tied up with bows……

By nurse&mother

December 6, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this

JJ- I love the cookie party idea!! That sounds like loads of fun. I hope you don’t mind if I adopt that tradition for my daughter.

By Amanda

December 6, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

Why do these holiday blogs cut off the right margin?

By One

December 6, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this

Amanda, we can thank the geniuses at the AJC for that!

The cookie party is a good idea for family and friends!

Has anyone thought of baking goodies for some of those on your list? works well for co-workers and those that you don’t know well, I don’t know about anyone else, but I don’t eat food from people that I don’t know well (restaurants don’t count, although I’m extremely picky about those too!). If I don’t know you that well, maybe I will buy you a card, Merry Christmas. And I would rather anyone that doesn’t know me well not even bother with trying to give me a gift, that should be reserved for people that are close to you.

By FCM

December 6, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

@ Jeff—- you know T would probably be happy with anything—-however Harry Potter movie 5 is out on DVD next week….and a little ‘sparkler’ never gets a hubby in the dog house ;o) Unless your sure she wants it…don’t get her anything with a cord! (My ex did that to me in front of his mother, and she got after him, he laughed because it was a Kitchen Aid Mixer I wanted…and a necklace in the bowl of it).

By Jennifer

December 6, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

We do family activities throughout the year. It really doesn’t matter what the holiday is called, traditionally gifts are exchanged near the end of December and I want my gifts. It’s not because we need anything, or how much money is spent, it’s just a reminder of “Hey, I pay attention to your interests and I bought/made you a little something as a token”. I don’t like junk gifts, like an ugly picture frame from the Big Lots clearance rack, but little things like a Godiva truffle in a flavor I love, or a book to read are appreciated. I do not go out and buy just anything for people. I pay attention to their interests and buy according to that. When someone opens a gift from me, it’s not just another meaningless gift. For my Grandmother with advanced Alzheimer’s, I make the traditional Christmas goodies I grew up making with her. I don’t think she remembers any of that consistently, but she is always thrilled to bite into the same cookies she used to make. Her taste buds are the same, and I like seeing her light up. I like giving gifts, and I like receiving gifts. Not expensive gifts, just thoughtful ones. Last year my Grandfather gave me a big bag of pecans from his trees, nicely shelled and cleaned. I loved them and use them all the time and they didn’t cost a thing. I think of him every time I make a pie or anything with those pecans. Gifts aren’t just shallow wastes of money, or at least they don’t have to be. I’m appreciative and grateful for things that people give me, and I’d much rather get nothing than to get some junk crap that’s been regifted or grabbed just to mark me off the list.

By JJ

December 6, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this

Nurse&Mother By all means, please start/continue the tradition. Anyone else too. The kids just love it.

This was a tradition fromm when I was little and my mother would make sugar cookie dough from scratch the day before, and then my brother and I would decorate all the cookies. Sometimes mom and dad would help out, and it was really alot of fun. I started doing it with my daughter when she was around 6 years old. I have some of the cutest pictures of her covered with cookie “dust”……. I cheat though, and buy the Pillsbury Sugar Cookie dough, and roll it out the old fashioned way…….we play Christmas music and just have a blast. I believe we are expecting at least 20 for our cookie party. I have a ton of cookie cutters, and I will buy at least 5 rolls of dough. Some people bring their own cutters and share, and I will buy all the decorations. Kids and adults really love to do this.

A few weeks ago, I went over to a friend’s house and her mother made Gingerbread cookies from scratch, and cut them out and we all decorated them. My friend made a Gingerbread House (from scratch - designed it herself) and it is so beautiful. We are using it for a centerpiece for a Christmas party we are planning.

I love this time of year. Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

By RD

December 6, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this

One Christmas I surprised even myself.

I’m getting to be that age, you know? So I spot this wonderful coffee table book that was perfect for me, so I bought it. I gave it to my wife and said wrap it up and get the kids to give it to me. Weeks later it is Christmas morning. I’m handed this package, and I am just blown away by this coffee table book from the kids, and I tell them it is soooo perfect. I couldn’t believe they had made such a perfect choice.

My wife leans forward and whispered: You bought it for yourself, idiot.

Like I said, Im getting to be that age.

By Jeff

December 6, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

FCM:

Well, the Wii has quite a few cords, as does the surprise part of the gift she knows about that I am buying tomorrow. (She wants the game ‘Wii Play’, which comes with a remote. I’m getting the corresponding Nunchuk as well for the surprise part.)

Actually, HP5 is EXACTLY what I am getting her for the thing that I had just thought of… she saw last night that it was coming out on DVD and realized she had missed it in the theater - evidently this is the first one she didn’t see in the theater.

BTW: She got out of jury duty early today, so she’s out shopping right now….

By jmc

December 6, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this

Jeff - is she like 5 or what? I thought you guys were adults but guess I was wrong.

By JJ

December 6, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

Wii is a blast. I haven’t had that much fun with a video/computer game like the Wii……what a great idea.

JMC - if they want to act like kids, let them. It’s not hurting you is it. Plus Jeff and T are newlyweds!!!! Let them have their fun.

“Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional”

By Jeff

December 6, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

JJ:

Thanks for the defense, though I do have an additional point:

a) Video games - even the Wii - are marketed primarily to adult males. The Wii simply tries to incorporate the rest of the family as well. (As Nintendo has always done.) Here’s a tip: Halo isn’t that popular with kids under 12 or so. HOWEVER, it is HIGHLY popular with males in the late teens to early 30s range. Mario, on the other hand, is more popular with younger kids, though quite a few adults play it as well. (Even I am considering the Mario Galaxy game.. looks fun!)

b) TV shows/ movies: Just because something has ‘kids’ in mind doesn’t mean that adults can’t enjoy it as well. Cars is a good example, as is the animated movie dealing with a new retelling of Little Red Riding Hood (the one where the wolf is an investigator).

Even though T’s fascination is HP - which I can’t stand - I share a similar facination with Power Rangers. Indeed, I have seen at LEAST a few episodes of every single season for the past 16 years. Heck, I grew up on Power Rangers.

I can also discuss Power Rangers on the same level I discuss programming.

By FCM

December 6, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this

@ jmc—-I find the games (electronic or board) to be highly stimulating to the mind. Besides they are much better than dozing off in front of a tv…or even with a good book…if your in the mind for company.

@Jeff—your sure she wants the Wii so your golden on that cord set. Just like ex was on the mixer, heck all the marrieds were asking if they could have a mixer too! (except his mother she hates to cook—-she on the other hand got 2 more bracelets from her hubby that year—-which is great by why must she wear ALL her jewlry at once? She looks like a counter at Jared—-anyway).

Good luck keeping T from getting HP5 in the 14 days from out until Christmas morning…I slipped up with my Mom (I am getting her HP 5), I live closer to the store so I offered to get her POC 3 (out this week) and was running the list of coming soons….she goes oh yeah! We need that one too….so I broke down and told her it was already in works for Christmas…However she was very cool about it—she said great!

Last, my two children want a Wii too but not sure we are doing that this year.

By Oogie

December 6, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this

I pick up oogity for my boogity.

By jmc

December 6, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this

Didn’t try to offend Jeff - I just don’t get it how grown adults can sit around playing video games. I have a couple dear friends in their mid-twenties and this is all they look forward to every weekend. Personally, life is brief and time is a theif, so I try my best to spend mine wisely. I would much rather go hiking, boating, skiing etc. on my days off but lately I haven’t been able to do many of those with the hours I’m working. JJ - crosswords stimulate the mind as well, I sometimes do them to help me doze off at night.

By jmc

December 6, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this

oops - meant FCM on the crosswords.

By JJ

December 6, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this

JMC Once in a while I will go to a friend’s house and play Wii with them. There nothing wrong with an adult playing video games. This particular video game actually gets you up off of the sofa and gets you a bit of exercise. Plus, the games really are a lot of fun, especially bowling and darts.

I see how you can’t understand grown up playing video games, I cannot understand “surfing” the internet for hours at a time. I work on a computer all day long at work, but when I get home, that’s the last thing I want to see. The ONLY reason I have a computer is for my high school aged daughter…… other than that - the darn thing is a dust magnet…..

By LM

December 6, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

I am a 42 y/o woman and I would love a Wii. The only reason I have not gotten one is our house is too small for us to play at a good distance away from the tv, can’t wait until we finaly get the new house built.

What I think I am getting is a ring, you know the left hand kind. Excited and nervous at the same time. We have been talking about it for years, but it has come up in conversation several times over the last few months.

Jeff - did you pick out your wedding band, or did she? I have been looking at bands and have seen several I like very much, but don’t want to take away his choice.

By jmc

December 6, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this

JJ - same here with the computer. It’s killing my eyes. And I never actually said it was wrong for adults to play video games but they are consuming some of our young adults. My niece’s new husband that just got back from Iraq can’t stay off of them long enough to get a job and keep it. Between them and my other friends, I guess they’ve given me a negative opinion. Moderation is the key as with anything but I actually think they’re addicted as if it were a drug.

By Jeff

December 6, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this

jmc:

Your neice’s husband may in fact be using the video game for a variety of purposes, some good - simple relaxation -, some not so good - if he had a rough time in Iraq, he may be hitting the video game as an ‘acceptable’ alternative to alcohol. In either case, it is a phase that he WILL get tired of. Trust me. Been there, done that, got the friggin T-shirt!

LM:

T was with me when we bought my band, but I picked it out based on my own tastes. Both of her rings are based on her tastes. (Both white gold, mine is a dark tungsten.) So our rings match - somewhat.

At the end of the day, we are both comfortable with our rings and the only thing that matters is not that our rings match, but that our hearts do.

BTW: I know nothing about the guy, but just in case he’s never been married: The ring takes some getting used to. I’ve been married for nearly two months and just recently got to where I barely notice it anymore.

By jmc

December 6, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

Jeff - I really hate to feel this way but I truely think he’s just flat out lazy. I know he saw some horrible things over there but it’s been nearly a year now since he’s been back and not made a dime other than his military benefits. He never suffered any physical injury, he just tried to drink draino to make them think he was killing himself to get a medical discharge and it worked. He draws a little over 800 a month and is trying to get on permanent disability. Imagine, a lifetime goal of earning 800 a month. Sad….

By Vicki

December 6, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

I’ve been cooking up a storm already for the season. For the kids teachers and office administrators at their schools, I bake special cakes baked in a jar that are sealed so they are wonderful for Christmas morning. They love them and I always hear how they enjoy them with cream cheese or what ever they like on top the cakes. Ironically, I found the recipes years ago in the AJC.

For the neighbors, I bake numerous batches of 4 different types of cookies and 4 different candies. When the boys and I go to deliver the treats we love to hear everyone’s favorite cookie or candy and then our friends/neighbors dive into the packages while were standing there. They say they look forward to the treats every year!

By Jeff

December 6, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this

jmc:

ONLY based on what you’ve said about him, and reflecting back on my own experiences, I would say that he could have a case of depression. If you are somewhat close to your neice, I might suggest gently suggesting she try to get her husband some help.

I know back a couple of years ago, I was intent on becoming a teacher. I had some menial jobs and spent about 6 months out of 12 completely unemployed. MOST of that time was spent in front of a TV playing my XBox.

What I didn’t realize at the time was that God was using that time. (I should have used it a bit more productively though!) Had it not happened that way, had I had a teaching job that August, I would not have been in the position I was in come January. Had I not been exactly where I was in January, I would not have wound up at Newton. Newton led to Randolph, which moved me to Albany. Had I never moved to Albany, I would never have heard of this small town just outside of Albany. And had I never heard of that small town, I would never have met a woman I first knew as ‘Michelle’, but now call my wife.

So, in a somewhat indirect way, video games are responsible for me meeting my wife…. interesting!! :P

By By me

December 7, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

I do not buy my own gifts, because if i did, it would no longer be a gift.

We do not engage in marketing gimmicks where you have to have tenths of gifts. We do limit to one gift for each family member. We do not buy gifts to friends. Instead, we have one big party and do a $10 gift draw from a hat.

We used to buy many gifts for our children, but i hated to see “not so happy” faces on ch-mas morning when they would not get many things on their list. Put an end to that. Not lists. Just one gift. Have been doing it for 3 years, and holidays have been so happy (no complaints from the kids - they always thank for whatever they get).

I also think the people who do buy their own gifts are way too controling and it is their way to get what they want.