Gift Guide 2008

I don’t know about ya’ll but I am freaking out a bit that Christmas is just around the corner! I am having a hard time getting in the Christmas Spirit this year. It doesn’t help that we are broke and the economy sucks. And I know that buying presents is not what the Season is all about, however, it is something I really enjoy doing each year.

I love to buy presents for people. I come from a family that doesn’t exchange presents except for a few times a year (birthday and Christmas). And friend-wise we are not in the habit of that either. Maybe now and then, but on a regular basis – no. So, you see, that is part of the fun of this Season for me. I like to really think about the gifts. Spend some time looking (on the internet) for unusual things that I think match the recipient well. I am not one of those women who likes to wander around the mall for hours at a time. You can’t do that in your pajamas right? Ugh I like to know what I want; go in and get it (or order it online.ha).

Anyway, I am always looking for gift guides with cool ideas so I thought I’d make my own this year. Kind of like a poor man’s “Oprah” list. ☺ Let me know what you think AND if you have any other ideas – post them. The more the merrier!

Girly Gifts

• Personalized Pocket Mirror ($14) - nice, simple gift. Who doesn't need a mirror for your purse?
  
• Shea Butter Lotion Sticks ($7.50) - I think these are just cool.
  
• Monogrammed Sticky Notes ($14) - Stationery is awesome. so are sticky notes. Can't go wrong with these babies. Check to see if you have a store in your area because it looks like several letters are sold out on the website.
  
• Scented Stationery ($16.50) - Anyone who loves stationery has to love these. I mean look at the boxes! They alone are worth buying! You can find them on other websites but this one also donates to causes. Look around the site - lots of things to see. A gift that gives!

Techy Gifts

• Flash Drives ($24.95) - I love these drives, they make me laugh.
  
• iTurbo iPod charger ($19.99) - I bought these for S. & I last Christmas. They work! and also come in a Razr charger, if you have one of those cell phones.
  
• Mini Doc Amplifier ($3.99) - how freaking cool are these?? AND they look like legos.
  
• Screwdriver Set ($7.99) - can't have too many of these sets. not only for glasses but also computer tweaker types.
  

Food Gifts (some may also qualify as girly.ha)

• Vosges Haut chocolate bar set ($25) - This website is overflowing with nice gifts. It was hard for me to select just one. Check out the travel guide/chocolate set. yoga and choc. wine and choc. ohhh too many to count. plus its delicious.
• Joe Kelly Truffle Fudge ($13) - This is the best fudge I have ever eaten. and I've eaten my share of fudge. You can order it online or if you live in a town with a Central Market, they have it too.
  
• Effin Sauces ($5) - ok so this is more Texas-y. But the name itself is a keeper. That's really their family name. HA just spreading some Texas culture ya'll.
  
• Tea Pots/Sets ($24.95) - You can probably find some cheaper pots but I love these glass ones. Then you put one of those flowery, bloomy tea things in it - tasty and pretty.
  
• Smoked Turkeys - Yummy smoked turkeys out of East Texas. We get one almost every year and they are delicious. Was also on Oprah's Favorite things list one year. Sure makes dinner easy.

Miscellaneous

• Table Topics ($29.95) - this game may not be new but I've just discovered it. Thought provoking "break the ice" questions. Perfect for that couple who has everything.
  
• Phaidon City Guides ($9.95) - If you have a traveler to buy for who has an upcoming trip - just pick their city and your done. I love these guides. the clean modern look and the contents. They also have other cool books so look around.
  
• Cool Mouse Pads, etc. ($6.95) - If you are anything like me, you LOVE office supplies. This website has so many fun things, I almost just posted the link. check out those cool paper clips, and journals, and staplers! whew I need to stop, I can go to town on office supplies, especially if they are cute!
• Funny kitchen timers ($8.95) - These are just fun. would totally complete that nice gourmet gift basket you're working on.
• Alessi - ahh Alessi. again, too many things to chose. Being Italian and therefore very stylish, many are priced higher than my budget can handle. but I love the wine stoppers and bar equipment. We have several pieces collected over the years and I always want to add more. Those that know modern style will definitely appreciate these things.
  
• Pocket Pad ($3.99) - just because I am ALWAYS looking for paper in my purse. aren't you? and its cute.
  
• Document Envelope ($7.99) - another for the traveler. All your necessary info in one place. makes it easier to go thru check-in and security. A must have.
  
• Movies. Here are a few that I think are cool for men and women. Also, if you have a movie buff to buy for, any movies in the Criterion Collection are classic must haves (or so my nerdy, movie loving husband says).

So how about that? :)

More later...

Birthday Aftermath

Thank ya'll for the birthday wishes! I had a nice day. I got several phone calls, emails and e-cards - it made me happy. My Italian in-laws sang me happy birthday in English no less =) I also got the lovely flowers from my sweet husband. Aren't they bright and happy? Tulips are my favorite (as is the color red) - they are always so beautiful and vibrant. ::sigh:: One day, I want to go Holland and walk amongst all the colorful Tulips, happily snapping pictures. ::sigh::

So I had a day of well wishes which is EXACTLY what I like (along with a few presents.hehe) and then my friend and I went to dinner. and YU-UM it was good. We had tex-mex and margaritas at a restaurant that just opened up "near" my house. They have delicious chips and salsa plus a yummy queso mixed with spinach dip. my favorite! I realized last nite that I like salsas that are not hot immediately when you eat them but have the kind of heat that comes afterwards. mmm it was good.

Being the sweet friend she is, E. brought me a couple of computer games and a GORGEOUS cake. Here's a pic. Aren't you jealous??? Those are fresh flowers on top, I hope you can see them well cuz they are so pretty! She got it at a bakery here called Dallas Affaires. I love their cakes. When S. and I were planning our reception (which we didn't ever have.lol), I went there to taste their wedding cakes. oh so good. so many combinations of cake and icings. ah heaven.

Here's a pic of the inside of the cake. look closely - in the middle you will see an amazing raspberry/chambord filling. I cut it weird because I didn't want to mess up the flowers. Man it is good and now I have a ton of cake left. Oh the sacrifices I have to make in life. Maybe I will share some of it with my parents who are coming in this weekend but we can't be sure. lol

All in all it was a nice birthday. I missed my Italian A LOT and wish so much he could've been here. But I know he was with me in spirit and he was the first one to wish me a happy birthday. However, it was a birthday full of love and well wishes - not to mention great gift cards, good food and gorgeous flowers. In my book, that's a pretty good day.

More later...

Conversations with S. - Birthday Edition

So tomorrow is my birthday. yep, for you Americans out there - the day after taxes =) Anyway, I'm not too excited about this bday. ::sigh:: Probably because my honey will not be here and I don't really want to turn 37. But I do like to tell people so they can send me good wishes (or thoughts) - is that bad? lol I don't need presents but I like to know people are thinking of me 1 day a year. =)

Well, enough of that - now on to my conversation with S. First let's go back in time a couple of weeks.

Scene:

S. and I were talking on Skype. I was reminding S. that my birthday was coming up (HA - forgetting birthdays will NEVER be a problem in our house) so he asked me what I wanted as a present. hmm what do I want? I didn't really know! There are a lot of things I "want" per se, but nothing I really need or want him to spend money on. So I settled on a department store gift card and some flowers. I know - it is not much of a surprise nor terribly romantic but boh.

End scene.

Flash forward to today. Again, on Skype with S. just having a normal chat. Abruptly S. interrupts the conversation:

S. - I have to make a phone call, I'll call you back.
Me - taken aback a little but say - Ok.

about 5 minutes passes. then skype starts ringing. it's S. - he's back.

S. "giggling like a school boy and using a teasing lilty voice" - hey. I made my phone call.
Me - ok.
S. - "still giggling and using the teasy voice" - I called someone in Texas. hehehehe
Me- "getting suspicious" - ok. who was it? was it J(my sister)?
S. - no. "STILL giggling like a school boy" it wasn't anyone in the family...
Me - hmmm. was it a flower shop? (am laughing now)
S. - it's called the flower box and I think these flowers are going to be better than the other places.... etc etc. (here he really warms to the subject and starts going on about the various shops he could use and how he thinks this one is the best)
S. - are you going to be home tomorrow?
Me - well most of the day, but not early afternoon. have an appt. @ 1:30pm.
S. - "sounding defeated" oh... I told them after 12. "giggling ceases"
Me - don't worry, they always deliver to me late. you know, on their way back to the store.
S. - "perks up and is back to being excited" - OK good!

So I am getting birthday flowers! YAY!

My husband is not the most thoughtful man but he is SO CUTE when he buys a present or does something for me. He gets so excited he can hardly stand it. giggling like a little boy, I can almost see him dancing around with the secret (maybe not literally), always wanting to give it to me early - it just melts my heart. At Christmas, I make him wait and WRAP the presents - as well as stocking gifts, hello - Santa still comes - so for birthdays or anniversaries, I give him a break.

LOL. he can sure make me laugh. I just love that Italian.

More later...