Ok, this thread is obviously confinded to those who don’t have loved ones who are dopers or are going to see this site in the next 2+ weeks.
But that said…what have you got that can’t wait 2+ weeks to talk about because it’s just that great? What have you got because you had to get something? What are you already regreting?
Me…
Grandma: Sean Connery era James Bond DVDs
Mom: Queens of the Stone Age and the Glands.
Boyfriend: Vintage porn. And a book about organs (no not that kind).
Ex boyfriend: A tie. And a book on comic based movies.
Atheist friends: Jesus and Yaweh by Harold Bloom. Well honestly, I’ve found few people more interested in religion than atheists.
Anyone else want to share? (And I think “What the hell do I get them” queries are appropriate too…I’m not done, suggestions are welcome.)
A radiator
A bunch of gift cards
Godiva chocolates
A bookshelf stereo
books
a purse
A union suit
Boxer shorts
Socks
Brownies
Polar fleece shirt
Ca$h
A hand-held wine shopper computer thingy
Cobalt blue glass
We draw names among siblings, etc. on both sides, so my list is relatively short.
Husband: Quake IV for the Xbox 360 he doesn’t have yet (and might not get for awhile because they’re never in-stock, but it’s what he asked for), and a pair of New Balance tennis shoes
Mom: Set of dishes (the dollar store kind; she picked them out)
Charles and Camilla (my dad and step-mom): Six-month gift subscription to Netflix
Nephew: Terminator III DVD, Nerf basketball hoop for his room, bottle of cologne (his first!)
Niece: Make-your-own diary kit, Clikits bracelet set, book
Paternal grandmother: Set of dishes (going together with sisters)
Maternal grandmother: Wire wall hanging to stick pictures in
Co-worker whose name I drew: ??? I desperately need help with this one.
Husband: a book, The Joys of Engrish
Older son (11): bathrobe, sheets, book (America, Russia, and the Cold War, 1945-2002), computer game (Call of Duty II), Stratego board game. Stocking: puzzle, belt, comic book, assorted candy.
Younger son (5): shirt and pants set, underwear, 2 Dr Seuss books (The Sneetches and Horton Hears a Who), GeoMag construction set, Sorry! board game. Stocking: alarm clock, toy car (a classic Mini), comic book, assorted candy.
Mom: necklace of assorted blue semi-precious stones
Dad: another troll for his collection
Mom- and Dad-in-Law: Don’t want anything this year, so we’re going to say the kids are giving them their school photos in frames.
Niecephews, of whom I have sixteen: money x 10, Bionicle DVD, Brio remote-control train set with horn (mwahahaha), Duplo construction set, sweatshirt jacket I’m making + Fisher-Price school bus, another sweatshirt I’m making + Fisher-Price zoo set, overalls I have made + clothes rack with ladybug pattern.
We’ve agreed to stop exchanging among grown siblings, thankfully, but I’m painting papier-mache stars for my brother and sister to hang on their trees.
Some of my friends: a book.
Many of my friends and all the people who report to me, my surgeon and many of his staff: A solid Silver Christmas ornament.
My boss and his boss: A bottle of nice red wine
Mom: Chanel number five, a new vcr that skips the commercials, two silver neck chains, several bottles of wine, 100 lottery tickets and a silver christmas ornament.
I went to Ren Faire this year and bought a set of four coffee mugs from a vendor we love, planning on giving them to my brother, his wife and two kids as a matched set. My wife saw them, thought “cool idea,” went to the faire herself and bought another twenty mugs…
Fiancé: very very nice robe
Mom and Grandma: same thing they get every year, framed 10x13 photos of my lovely children.
Fourteen year old daughter: I’d rather not say here, because it would be theoretically possible for her to see it.
Librarians: Big box o’ chocolate.
I have no freakin’ idea:
Nine year old son: The one thing I might have considered for him, he already got from his dad. The Calvin and Hobbes box set!
Fiancé’s children: Fourteen year old twins, girl and boy, who already have everything they want.
Secret Santa at work: I drew this lady’s name who was very recently hired, and I don’t work close to her anyway, so I don’t know her at all. She’ll get some generic ten dollar gift thing.
Fiancé’s elderly mother: Her hobbies are going to church and watching TV. She doesn’t get around very well. Last year I actually gave her the gift that says “I’m at a total loss”…fruitcake!
I’m having such a hard time this year, partly because I need to match what I think my SO is spending. Right now:
SO: Fairing for her bike, and probably an iPod Nano.
SO’s brothers & mother: no idea, she insists I don’t need to
Dad: not sure yet (except for a giant calculator - mostly a gag, but he teaches math so he might find it useful.)
Mom: music box
Grandmother: music box with pictures of her family
Uncle: picture frame
Aunt: no idea!
Cousin: not sure, possibly a nice alarm clock. What would a female college student appreciate?
[ul][li]Sister & BIL: A fax machine[/li][li]6-yr.-old Nephew: Thunderbirds DVD, two Hot Wheels cars, small Hot Wheels play set.[/li][li]Ex-Fiancée: Teapot, two mismatched cups, a metal tin with some loose English Breakfast tea, a strainer, Trader Joe’s Cocoa Almonds, all wrapped up in a basket.[/li]Shayne & Spiny Norman: Not posting it here. (Don’t get too excited, you two! Remember anything I bring has to fit into my carry-on bag!)[/ul]
I found a gift for my wife that is so incredibly perfect in describing our relationship that I couldn’t have designed it better myself. A litte background is in order:
I’m a very neat person. Not compulsive, but neat. I don’t like just don’t like stuff everywhere. Luckily, my wife is the same way - still it is the subject of an ongoing joke between us.
The other point is that I’m very kinky in lots and lots of ways. You’d never know it to meet me, but I’m game for just about any sensual and hedonistic experience you can bring on (as long as it doesn’t involve children or animals smaller than a pretty good size Great Dane). This, too, is the subject of ongoing amusement and a whole hell of alot of fun for us and our friends.
The third point is that my wife and I both like Scotch and water with a twist of lemon.
Anyway, to the gift - I found a plate decorated with the picture of a woman taken from a 1950s ad. She’s got the a-line skirt, flip, pearls with the apron, the complete June Cleaver look. She’s also holding a highball glass and giving a very lascivious wink. Under her picture is the following:
“She likes her men just like her cocktails - neat, but with a twist.”
I saw it and said, “OK - who’s been spying on Susan and me.”
For all of you who need to buy presents for Secret Santa occasions at work, I have a suggestion for you. I always buy elaborate christmas tree ornaments at Hecht’s department store. The price is usually $5.00 - $10.00 and the ornaments are very pretty. As far as my family, I just went to www.harryanddavid.com and picked out fruit & chocolate baskets for everyone.
I am so excited, I finally finalized my list and got EVERYTHING off Amazon last night. I have resolved to not go into stores after Dec 1 anymore
MOM: Kitchenaid mixer, Real Simple magazine subscription and Real Simple home organization book, wooden spoons (she asked!), Bunco DVD game
DAD: Army sweatpants, bathroom scale, baseball card almanac
DOG: iQube plush box with balls (a game), a new bed for in my office, a soccer ball with a rope around it for home (her favorite toy at grammy’s house), mint nylabones, “While You Are Away” doggy music CD
BRO: Homicide: The Movie and Season 6 boxed set, Wacky Races boxed set, Neal Peart and record collecting books
BRO’s GF: Some swanky hot-cocoa-flavored bath and lotion set, a home repair book from home depot
BRO’s DOG: “While You Are Away” doggy music CD, iQube box with balls
I really didn’t have too many folks to buy for this year but I managed to spend $600
DeHusband: A huge quilt, some books, small stuff
Boss: Wine and a pound cake
Coworkers: pound cakes
Male best friend: Desktop punching bag, coffee, shortbread cookies
Female best friend: Big clear glass mug and Art Teas
Mom: blouse and lenox ornament
Dad: Turkey fryer
Sister: Lenox ornament and candles
Sister In Law: George Foreman Grill
Nephew: Watch and pocket knife
Nieces: Books
Oldest Niece: silver bracelet
Brother: Serenity DVD, Firefly box set, George Foreman Rotisserie, Teas, Books Etc (He had a hard year.)
DeHusband’s Mom: $100 Walmart gift card (She’s 87, and her favorite store in the whole world)
Far away friends and family: Gift Cards
And nothing was charged!! (Of course I’ve been buying since March, but still.)
I can’t wait to see how much my 1 year old likes her** Clifford the Big Red Dog ** ride-on toy! She has several other toys and books under the tree but I think this will be the big winner.
My 16 year old is getting:
Dance Dance Revolution for her PS2
Japanese language CDs
An ionic straightening iron which I look forward to trying myself
A cookbook and some baking supplies
Bookstar and Starbucks giftcards with a promise to spend the day there (her favorite outing)
