Wednesday, December 26, 2007

THURSDAY THIRTEEN #47 -- Really Good Gifts


THIRTEEN GIFTS

THE GAL REALLY

ENJOYED GIVING


It IS much better to give than to receive! And now that all (but one) of my holiday gifts have been distributed, here are 13 of the highlights.

1. Hudson the Polar Bear (shown). I got my mother a real-live polar bear as part of the Brookfield Zoo’s Share the Care Program. In addition to knowing that she is helping with young Hudson’s care and feeding, she also received a (much) smaller plush Hudson, a color portrait of the real thing, and a commemorative certificate.

2. Small suitcase. It’s black and white and about 12” x 6”, purchased for my niece. She loves trunks and cases and jewelry boxes. I have no idea how she’ll use this – purse or storage – but she’s imaginative and enthusiastic so I know it has a good home.

3. Cars Mater National. It’s the latest GBA game based on the Cars movie (just released last month), and my nephew didn’t even know it existed! You should have seen the mix of joy and genuine surprise on his face. Yes, I’m the coolest aunt ever.

4. Chicago Bears Claw Glove. Technically speaking this was a Hannukah gift for a friend’s little boy. He was behaving so well under such trying circumstances (listening to his parents and me babble about things of no interest to him at all) that I was happy to relieve his boredom, and it made me happy to watch him joyously swiping the air, most likely imagining the Green Bay Packers.

5. St. Louis bottle opener and magnet. More than twenty years ago, when I first met the dad of the boy mentioned above, I got him to tell me an embarrassing story about himself. It involved beer, a road trip to St. Louis, and a group of frat boys relieving themselves on the Arch. I believe he forgot having told me that story until he opened the jewelry box and discovered this treasure, decorated with the poor Arch. Watching his look change from surprise to recognition to … well … embarrassment was great fun.

6. Personalized cat ornament. My uncle has always been very good to me. I’m saddened by watching him suffer through a slow, painful and ultimately failing bout with Parkinson’s disease, However this doesn’t get in the way of my recognizing that he can be a real pain in the ass -- lately he has been guilting and tormenting my poor mother big time, and he’s become very hard on his caregivers and his only child (my cousin). He could be very high-handed before the disease struck, and Parkinson’s hasn’t helped. All this helps me understand why his cat, an old and regal gray tabby, has become his best friend in the world. She is descended from Egyptian gods, and consequently feels she and my uncle are complete equals. Roommates, if you will. She is impervious to his uglier moods, and loves him even when he’s having medication-induced fits. So it made me happy to have an ornament made with her name and picture on it. I included a note that his best friend deserves a place of honor on his tree. And she does. She’s brought him comfort and companionship when he’s needed it most. so I’m grateful to that old furry girl.

7. Bush and Cheyney chew toys. My friends who live in the Keys have been together nearly 20 years and just bought their first house. Since they’re both men, it’s hard to find an ornament commemorating their first Christmas in their own home together, so I had one made. Of crystal. I think it’s quite lovely. But that isn’t what excited them. It was the Presidential and Vice Presidential squeaky chew toys I included for their dogs. Those are what completely delighted them! Oh well, gifts are supposed to be for the recipient, and I’m happy that the silly dog toys brought them such laughter.

8. Vintage post cards. My family has been going to the same resort in Wisconsin for generations. I first went with grandparents. Now my kid sister takes her kids up there. I regret every wasted, boring moment, but my sister thinks it’s the loveliest place on earth. She’s very into scrapbooking, so I was thrilled to find 1960s postcards of the place for her to add to her albums. Thank goodness for eBay!

9. “Head sock.” My brother-in-law can somehow always guess what’s in a giftbox before he opens it. This year I thought I had him because I didn’t even know what this was called. A polar fleece hood or cowl … thing … that will keep his head, ears, face and neck warm. Before he had all the paper removed, he asked, “Is this a head sock?” Damn if that’s not the perfect name for it, and yes, that’s it was! How does he do it?

10. Houdini corkscrew. I’ve been getting my hair cut by the same stylist for decades. Over time I’ve given him bigger tips at Christmas, or gift cards, but it’s all become a yawn. Last year I noticed how happy he was the bottles of wine he got from one of his clients, proudly displaying them at his station through the holiday season. That’s when it hit me: I’ll get him a corkscrew to keep in the shop so he can share his Christmas spirits with his customers. I was glad it made him so happy.

11. “Believe” bracelet. A charm on a dainty blue ribbon for a friend of mine who has had a hard time finding her niche professionally. She’s good at her job, but she gets disillusioned quickly and leaves each place of employment after just a year or two. She really wants to be a success at her current position, and so I gave her an ongoing, pretty and wearable “pep talk.”

12. Massage. My gift to me. I’m nervous about my upcoming trip to the Keys. I don’t like to fly. I don’t have much time between planes and it’s supposed to snow. The airlines have been known to lose my bags when I fly this route. I’d prefer not to be some gator's Happy Meal, thank you very much. So Thursday afternoon, I’m treating myself to a massage. Hopefully it will relax me so much that I won’t be able to awfulize myself into a pathetic, terrified frenzy again before I board the plane.

13. Toy drives. A red purse, a pair of SpongeBob books, a Bratz doll, a Lego set, a pair of woolen Chicago Bears mittens and a Rubik’s Cube. I never saw these goodies opened, but purchasing them made me happy just the same. Maybe it’s because I’m in advertising and feel somewhat responsible for how commercial Christmas has become, especially for kids. It breaks my heart to think of a child NOT being joyfully surprised at Christmas. I’m proud and peaceful knowing that I made it possible for 5 kids to get something unexpected this season.

What about you? What gift gave you the most pleasure to give?


Put your link in the comments and I'll add you here:
1) Deb shares the most popular resolutions people make each year 
2) Ellen B. has a universal, multi-lingual New Year's TT
3) Chelle Y. revisits last year's resolutions
4) Moondancer shares 13 favorite quotes from a story she knows very, very well!
5) Malcolm's TT is back!
6) How do you think Tinkerbell did with her 2007 resolutions? Find out here.
7) Nicholas makes a compelling argument for sequels that are better than the originals
8) Sue got a stocking filled with fragrant goodies
9) Sobeit asks 13 questions about "after Christmas"
10) Open Grove Gloria has an inspirational TT
11) Monday through Sunday looks back on an eventful year
12) Lori got some way cool stuff this year!
13) Susan Helene Gottfried takes us to Yellowstone
14) Lazy Daisy's self assessment is brought to us by the letter "Y"
15) Sandy Carlson introduces us to the world of fairies
16) Natalie shares her resolutions for 2008
17) Yen remembers 12 wonderful months
18) Fresh Girl looks back on her Christmas celebration
19) Gattina shows us her Christmas gifts
20)Deanna goes down memory lane and comes back with some adorable retro dolls
21) That Grrrl shows off her photos of abandoned farmhouses
22) Toni gives us the highlights of her holidays, including a shih tzu named Cujo. (Sorry, Toni, but the connection kept timing out before I could leave a comment.)
23) Nancy discusses what she doesn't want to do in the future
24) Ornery's Wife shares 13 facts about Ornery himself
25) Nancy J. Bond reveals her favorite Christmas gifts
26) Dane Bramage looks back on those we lost in 2007
27) Michelle O takes us on a tour of her daughter's toy box
28) Angelie tells us what she gave, and what she received


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



28 comments:

  1. Great list, I enjoyed it very much! Come take a look at the most popular resolutions of the New year!

    DEB

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  2. Yep I'd love #12 right now!

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  3. I love giving gifts too. The reactions on the faces of those you love makes it all worth it, doesn't it?

    I hope you had a very nice Christmas!

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  4. Interesting list, I'd have liked #12 myself.

    Happy TT

    http://moondancerdrake.livejournal.com/

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  5. That's cool that you are very attentive. I'll bet your hairstylist appreciates the corkscrew. The Bush/Cheney chew toys made me laugh.

    One Christmas, me and my then girlfriend were exchanging gifts at her apartment. Once we finished, I told her that I had left on my car headlights. When I came back, I rolled in a mountain bicycle! I loved the look of joy and surprise on her face because she had mentioned wanting one.

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  6. 1, 6 and 12 are my favourites!
    In my TT I'm looking back at my 2007 New Year’s resoutions…

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  7. Anonymous5:22 PM

    Great list! I hope you enjoy #12!

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  8. #7 is too funny!!! Happy TT and all the best in 2008!

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  9. Those are great gifts and show that you really took time to find the perfect one. I really like the Polar Bear! Happy TT!

    sobeit
    http://sobeit89.squarespace.com

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  10. I bow down to your gift giving-fu. You are clearly a master gift giver. Really, I am impressed with the diversity and creativity and, of course, love, with this you give.

    Happy TT!

    My TT is up: Thirteen people who inspired me in 2007

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  11. Massage..Yep..that would be nice!!

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  12. It sounds like you and yours had a great Christmas...awwwwwwww, a massage. Wouldnt that be a wonderful gift to myself?? Thanks for the idea. Happy TT my friend.

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  13. Those are great gifts -- I really like the cat ornament. Happy TT!

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  14. Wow, I bow to your creativeness. We gave a goat to friends from the goat bank....to help a widow provide for her family.

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  15. The gift I most enjoyed giving to family and friends was the book "Father Knows Less" by Wendell Jamieson. It's chock full of the questions kids ask and the answers from experts.

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  16. I LOVE #7...if I had a dog I'd want them! LOL!

    My Thursday Thirteen is up too! :)

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  17. Anonymous9:39 PM

    I love your TT! Specially the #8:) I love collecting those stuff! And I have a lot from around the world:)
    Here's mine for this week!
    Thursday 13
    Enjoy the rest of the Holidays!

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  18. Great gifts! I love that polar bear...just want to cuddle him close, which would probably be right before he ate me. ;)

    Your BIL sounds like my mom...she's scary good at guessing her presents.

    My favorite gift to give was actually two -- scrapbooks I did for my mom and my dad. :)

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  19. I have to admit I also love to get gifts, lol ! But the one you choose are really great ! I appreciate the cat ornament (of course) and the Bush dog toys !

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  20. great list!

    momworksathome.blogspot.com

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  21. Anonymous3:36 AM

    The vintage postcards is a very cool idea!

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  22. Happy Thursday 13 and Happy New Year.

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  23. Anonymous6:16 AM

    I love your ideas for #1 and #11.

    #1 reminded me of that gift where you can buy a star, or have a star named after someone. So sweet!

    And #11, that was really thoughtful of you. Visual reminders like that are great motivation boosters. Your friend is lucky!

    Happy TT!

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  24. I'm all about the Bush Chenney chew toys, too. Hysterical.

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  25. This was the strangest Christmas, yet the best ever. We really didn't give or get much this year, except for bringing my son home from his Air Force Base 900 miles away. What a joy it was to be surrounded by my kids and enjoy a peaceful, quiet time. It truly was the best ever.

    I enjoyed your list. You are my kind of giver, thoughtful and considering.

    My TT is up here:
    http://thoughtsfrommillermanor.blogspot.com/2007/12/thursday-thirteen-12-ornery.html
    TM

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  26. I want to be on your gift list next year.

    My Thursday Thirteen #62 13 People Who Left Us in 2007 edition. Stop by if you get a chance.

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  27. Great list! I love how thoughtful you were in choosing each gift.

    The best one I gave was "Star Wars: A Pop Up Guide to the Universe" to my fiance. He just about died.

    http://unmainstreammom.blogspot.com/2007/12/thursday-thirteen-2.html

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  28. Wow! You are an awesome gift giver. I think I was happiest about the things I gave my baby brother. I just love seeing him all excited opening things.

    http://crushedglass.livejournal.com

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