Christmas presents?

[SleepyWitch]

I'm not sure if it's been done before but I'm quite sure it hasn't been done this year :) and, yes I know, it's a bit early :)

What are you giving your family and friends for Xmas this year? Got anything in mind yet? Done any pressie shopping already? Do you give presents at all? Who do you give presents to (only to your close friends or also to colleagues, acquaintances etc)?


I've just ordered my boyfriend a box of exquisite handmade chocolates filled with walnut, macadamia and lots of French words. (it was 'only' Euro 24 including free shipping and a greeting card)

as for my family and best friend I haven't thought about presents yet

[higley]

My mom collects nutcrackers, so I'm trying to get her this really cool Ohio State one I know she'd love to have. Not sure what to get Dad though. :( A lot of the things he likes are gadgety stuff I don't know much about, so I wouldn't really know what to get him! I could ask, but that spoils the surprise. x) I'll think of something.

[~Maude~]

I make baskets with candy, cookies, cakes (my son and I start baking early december) handmade ornaments (we start those early too) and if it's a close friend/relative I add a book or two with bookmark/s, maybe a hat and scarf, a movie, a game, a bottle of wine, it depends on what I find.

[Idril]

I am a notoriously late shopper. I haven't even given it much thought although I know my oldest wants a DSlite and my youngest wants an iPod shuffle so those are probably on the list but beyond that...it's much too early for me to worry about that yet. :p

[Shannanigan]

Erg...I've been putting off thinking about this. My boyfriend and I are going to California from Dec. 8-22, and I'm supposed to buy all my gifts there (including for the family that lives there). I guess I should compile a list before I go.

I usually try to only buy gifts for immediate family, and people who have been very present and helpful in the past year...like this year I'll probably include my boyfriend's mom like last year, but I'll add in a gift for his dad, who I've gotten to know better and who has helped me a lot this year...

I have friends who buy literally EVERYONE at least a card or trinket..but I really don't see the point in that, nor do I have the money for it. I'd much rather donate that money to a charity and have all the money spent on the little cards for me put towards it...

I'm not saying I'm ungrateful, but a phone call, e-mail, or letter makes me just as happy as a card...

[SleepyWitch]

I make baskets with candy, cookies, cakes (my son and I start baking early december) handmade ornaments (we start those early too) and if it's a close friend/relative I add a book or two with bookmark/s, maybe a hat and scarf, a movie, a game, a bottle of wine, it depends on what I find.

wow, that sounds nice! It must take an awful lot of time to bake all those cookies and cakes!

[kilted exile]

Bah Humbug

[~Maude~]

wow, that sounds nice! It must take an awful lot of time to bake all those cookies and cakes!

Well it takes some planning but once we get started it goes fast and it's a lot of fun, my son likes pulling the taffy best and licking spoons. :) We just pick 2-4 items/recipes a weekend to work on and freeze them till we need them.

[Shalot]

Last year my husband and I spent all of our money buying presents for everyone else and we shopped for ourselves last and we didn't get anything that great (I think I got him some socks and a video game...how lame is that?) He got me a perfume gift set.

This year we told the family we didn't expect presents from them and we weren't ablet to buy them anything and we bought ourselves a new TV because the one we had was old technology and we got it scratch and dent out of the box. We decided that we deserved a decent TV.

We're going to buy the nieces some presents and that's it. We're going to visit with them on the holidays but the gift giving thing is just too much when you've got a big family. And I can't bake or cook so I won't be doing anything like that.

[grace86]

I've been thinking about it, but funds are kind of low, and I know a lot more people now than I did last year.

I am trying to stay away from the books for my siblings, as they prefer to get something else...my sister still hasn't read the book I got her last year.

My siblings are giving me a list of cd's. I never know what to get my fiancee as anything that would make him really happy is too expensive (he's one of those computer gamer/techie kinda guys). My parents, well last year I bought them a gift card for dinner, and my dad some books and mom some perfume...that went over well but it was quite expensive!

So I am thinking of going a bit smaller this year.

[Nightshade]

Bah Humbug

spoilsport:p Idont even celebrate christmas and I get pressies for people, granted theyre the side of the family who do celebrate christmas...I think christmas elves might be visiting my grandmothers house while shes away over christmas again this year that way when she comes back she has lots of little presents hidden all over the house. ( Its great fun):D and this year I have friends who are foriegn student who cant afford to go home so Im buying then christmas presents too makeup, dvds, a home made christmas cake, bags ,and I might invade with a christmas dinner and the sound of music on christmas day.

[Stanislaw]

Well first off...awesome avy Shalot!

well...for christmas...I usually finish on Dec 23...but not this year! I have already bouthg somes stuff:

For my Sister: LOTR Extended DVD Box Set
For My Mother: The 50th Count Dracula movei special ed.

...but I still need for the other members of m family, friends, and such.

[SummerSolstice]

Bajeebers. I haven't the slightest clue what I'm going to get for my family... I'll probably make my Mom a necklace or something (my dad used to be a jeweler, among a half-gazillion other things, and he taught us some silversmithing over the summer).

Shamefully enough, I DO know what I'm going to get my new friend from college. She's a freshman like me, and she wants to teach 6th grade, so every time I mention kids' books, she hears it in the context of what she wants to read to her class when she gets one. ^_^ Well, she's in my English class, and I wrote a paper on the Alice books, both Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, but when I tried to talk to her about them she admitted she'd never read EITHER! I scolded her and said they'd be perfect for her future class, since both books owe their current popularity to adults just as much or more as they do to children. SO, I'm going to drop by a bookstore sometime before Christmas break and get her an inexpensive copy. I love giving presents! ^_^

[Shalot]

Well first off...awesome avy Shalot!





I thought so. I re-watched The Phantom Menace the other day on the new TV that we got ourselves for Christmas. It's not my favorite Star Wars movie, but it looked good on our new quality TV (as opposed to the TV we had before). :)

[Nightshade]

Bajeebers. I haven't the slightest clue what I'm going to get for my family... I'll probably make my Mom a necklace or something (my dad used to be a jeweler, among a half-gazillion other things, and he taught us some silversmithing over the summer).

Shamefully enough, I DO know what I'm going to get my new friend from college. She's a freshman like me, and she wants to teach 6th grade, so every time I mention kids' books, she hears it in the context of what she wants to read to her class when she gets one. ^_^ Well, she's in my English class, and I wrote a paper on the Alice books, both Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, but when I tried to talk to her about them she admitted she'd never read EITHER! I scolded her and said they'd be perfect for her future class, since both books owe their current popularity to adults just as much or more as they do to children. SO, I'm going to drop by a bookstore sometime before Christmas break and get her an inexpensive copy. I love giving presents! ^_^


Have you read the looking glass wars? differant take on the story- cant really rember it so it couldnt be that great but I do rember that I thought the way the authour had put it was rather unique.

[Pensive]

Christmas presents always reminds me of The Gift of Magi. :)

[SleepyWitch]

I am trying to stay away from the books for my siblings, as they prefer to get something else...my sister still hasn't read the book I got her last year.

My siblings are giving me a list of cd's

how many bro's and sisters have you got?
My brother isn't fussy about presents at all. Last year I gave him a bubble bath, a pack of specialty tea and a pair of red and black woolly socks each (He often wears one read and one black sock because he's an anarcho-communist).
I think he wouldn't mind if I gave him the same again this year :) Plus, he normally forgets to get me something or gives me something he made himself 5 weeks after Xmas :)

My dad isn't fussy either, he likes foreign beers, peanuts, liquorice and books about weird things (like mediaeval beasts) or reference books. He doesn't mind if we give him peanuts and liquorice year after year, either.

But my mom is a nightmare! She's so picky! She's not even satisfied when we give her exactly what she asked for :(

[Shannanigan]

how many bro's and sisters have you got?
My brother isn't fussy about presents at all. Last year I gave him a bubble bath, a pack of specialty tea and a pair of red and black woolly socks each (He often wears one read and one black sock because he's an anarcho-communist).
I think he wouldn't mind if I gave him the same again this year :) Plus, he normally forgets to get me something or gives me something he made himself 5 weeks after Xmas :)

My dad isn't fussy either, he likes foreign beers, peanuts, liquorice and books about weird things (like mediaeval beasts) or reference books. He doesn't mind if we give him peanuts and liquorice year after year, either.

But my mom is a nightmare! She's so picky! She's not even satisfied when we give her exactly what she asked for :(

heehee...your dad and brother remind me of a friend of mine who I gave bubbles, blopens (those wierd pens that you blow in one end to make a sort of air-brush?), and some crayola stuff. All of it totalled about 20-25 dollars...and she was 17 and loved it all, lol. Sometimes, you just have to know the personality...

[Idril]

My family doesn't exchange gifts at all. Quite a few years ago we decided instead of buying each other presents, we would take the money we would've spent on presents and give it in a lump sum to a charity that we would take turns picking. I was a little skeptical at first, I was only 19 or something like that and still wanted to get stuff and I thought Christmas would seem so empty and boring without any presents to open but you know, I was very pleasantly surprised. It was so wonderful not to have that pressure of buying things you can't afford, finding the perfect gift and then after supper, instead of the usual present opening frenzy, we sang some hymns while my Mom played the piano(my family is a little on the nerdish side), then we sat around the Christmas tree drinking our coffee and having treats and talking and reminiscing and it was seriously, one of the most meaningful and satisfying Christmases I've ever had. Of course we've all married since then and had children and while we still don't buy gifts for each other or each other's children, the giving to charity thing has passed by, now our respective children are the charities. :p We still have my husband's family to buy for but it is such a relief to know we don't have to worry about mine.

[Stanislaw]

I thought so. I re-watched The Phantom Menace the other day on the new TV that we got ourselves for Christmas. It's not my favorite Star Wars movie, but it looked good on our new quality TV (as opposed to the TV we had before). :)


he he he...another convert to the cult of HDTV!!!...heh...every movie is awesome on HD (especially if its 57"):D :thumbs_up

[Shalot]

wow, 57! We got 52 I think but it's too big for our den. Did I say anything about HDTV? But it is great -- it's like you're right there in it and the playstation games are so much better. What is your gaming system? We're not diehard gamers by any stretch but I just can't believe how much better everything is.

However, I did watch Bram Stoker's Dracula on it and before, I never noticed how cheap the set was in that movie prior to getting HDTV. But it did come out in the mid 90's so I shouldn't expect too much from that movie...

[SleepyWitch]

It was so wonderful not to have that pressure of buying things you can't afford, finding the perfect gift and then after supper, instead of the usual present opening frenzy, we sang some hymns while my Mom played the piano(my family is a little on the nerdish side),

heeheee, that sounds so cute. I've got this image in my mind of a woman playing the piano very vigorously and singing in a high pitched voice :lol: She's wearing a cornflower-blue linen dress and a white blouse :lol: :lol:

what about Christmas dinner? Did you have a Turkey?
My mum also insists on playing vinyl records of real hymns (vs Xmassy songs like Jingle Bells) and singing along. We won't get presents unless we at least pretend to sing along. Then she pulls us down on the sofa an forces us to sit there with her and kisses our cheeks as if she hadn't seen us in 20 years....

We have potato salad and wiener sausages every year because mum says that's the traditional Christmas dinner in the region where she's from. The traditional German Xmas dinner is goose and dumplings, but never mind :)


heehee...your dad and brother remind me of a friend of mine who I gave bubbles, blopens (those wierd pens that you blow in one end to make a sort of air-brush?), and some crayola stuff. All of it totalled about 20-25 dollars...and she was 17 and loved it all, lol. Sometimes, you just have to know the personality...

blopens? wow, I think my brother would actually like them! where can I get them? I've never heard of them!

[Idril]

heeheee, that sounds so cute. I've got this image in my mind of a woman playing the piano very vigorously and singing in a high pitched voice :lol: She's wearing a cornflower-blue linen dress and a white blouse :lol: :lol:


She is a soprano and while she doesn't have a cornflower blue dress, it does sound like something she would wear so you're pretty close. ;) We always have to get out the red hymnals because that's the one with the 4-part harmony. :rolleyes:

On Christmas Eve, we have a very electic meal, Potato sausage, lefse, oyster stew, lutefisk, Swedish meatballs and potatos and on Christmas day we have beef ragu and more lefse. Mom says the odd menu acknowledges all our ethnic backgrounds, potato sausage is German, the lefse and icky lutefisk is Norwegian, the Swedish meatballs are...well...I think that's pretty self explanatory and the Beef Ragu is French. I'm not sure where the oyster stew came from and I don't know where the English food is, I told my mom we really needed to remedy the lack of English representation in our holiday meal so we did some research and she came up with some kind of red cabbage dish. :rolleyes: My vote was for mulled wine but I was out voted.

[SleepyWitch]

heehee :)
what is lefse?

[Basil]

I am buying From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler for my niece. Great book.

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/5260/0689711816largeyu1.jpg

[ElizabethSewall]

In my family we all exchange gifts for Christmas. With my friends as well which is very nice though costs a lot of money... :lol:
I try to give personal presents, paying attention to everyone's tastes and desires, and trying to make something significant to them out of it.

[Idril]

heehee :)
what is lefse?

Lefse is very silimar to a tortilla in shape but it's made of potatos instead of corn and a little thinner. Typically, at least here, you put butter and sugar on it and then roll it up like a cigar but you can put all kinds of things on it, my sister-in-law even puts jelly on it! :eek:

http://www.hormel.com/images/glossary/l/lefse.jpg

[thevintagepiper]

My dad isn't fussy either, he likes foreign beers, peanuts, liquorice and books about weird things (like mediaeval beasts) or reference books. He doesn't mind if we give him peanuts and liquorice year after year, either.




That sounds like my dad! Every single year we get him licorice and Almond Roca.

This year the only gift I have planned is a CD my grandma is sending from America and then I'll send it to my friend Samuel in Bahrain. It's David Crowder's A Collision.
I will probably get one of Tolkien's side books for my little sister; she's obsessed with The Lord of the Rings!

Still need to think about everyone....I'll probably go to the souk and get things for everyone back in America.

[Bluebiird]

My mother will be the proud owner of a new pair of soft warm, M&S (Marks and Spencer) or BHS (British Home Stores) slippers :santasmil .
My father will be recieving something that doesn't look like anyone's thought about it (Because his a grumpy old man who will openly tell you if he finds a problem with what you've bought him, so we just get him a wallet or a hat or something like that) :confused: .
As for the rest of the family, it'll be a joint effort between my mother and me.:santasmil :santasmil

[SleepyWitch]

I try to give personal presents, paying attention to everyone's tastes and desires, and trying to make something significant to them out of it.
mee too, Liz. Sometimes I even make things myself. I made a teddy bear from felt for my bro once when he was small and we sewed a toy monster out of scraps of cloth.

You're in Dubai, vintage? I've got a friend there who's originally from India.

the chocolates I ordered for my boyfriend arrived today...
They cost me a fortune a fortune so I expected them to be good, but they are way better than anything I could ever have imagined in my wildest dreams
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o120/SleepyWitch/HPIM2802.jpg

[Pensive]

the chocolates I ordered for my boyfriend arrived today...
They cost me a fortune a fortune so I expected them to be good, but they are way better than anything I could ever have imagined in my wildest dreams
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o120/SleepyWitch/HPIM2802.jpg

Seems lovely. I bet he would love them! :)

[Niamh]

They look yummy!
I got most of my presants out of the way before i got sick. did most of it on line because i couldn't deal with the crowds in the city centre at this time of year.
Got my boyfriend the Red Dwarf boxset and the rest of the presants am going halves with my twin sister Claire. but unfortunately i'm going to have to get in to town next week and get the last of my presants as i'm finally able to go back to having a life.:(

[SleepyWitch]

yep, Pensy, he loves them, we've already opened and tasted them :)
i had them delivered a week early so they wouldn't get lost in the mail on Christmas Eve when everybody has their presents delivered.

poor Niamh :( I've got most of my presents sorted, there's just one or two more I need, but I hope I can figure out what I want to buy before I go into town, then go there and get them as quickly as possible and dash home

[Niamh]

poor Niamh :( I've got most of my presents sorted, there's just one or two more I need, but I hope I can figure out what I want to buy before I go into town, then go there and get them as quickly as possible and dash home

I'll probably have to do a quick dash in on tuesday but unfortunately i havent a clue what to get the last two people; my brother and my niece. i might just get my brother the Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy on dvd so he'll stop robbing mine.:(

[kilted exile]

I have managed to scrape together $40 for presents. I have finished making a DVD rack for the mother, so now I just need to sort out the brothers, father & Gran.

[Niamh]

you made a dvd rack? wow thats impressive kilted.

[Schokokeks]

Yippiiiie, I already have everything:
My lovely brother will get a new belt, the only one he owns until now looks girlish in my eyes :D.
For my dad I bought a book on the cultural history of wine (my parents have a wine shop).
My mum will get a ticket for a flight in a balloon. I knew she wanted to do that for ages.
For my best friend I've booked and arranged a low-budget-student holiday weekend in Dublin during the semester break. Guess who'll accompany her ? :brow: No, I'm not selfish at all :D
And, finally, my boyfriend will get his very own key to my flat so that he'll be able to sneak in whenever he wants :).

[Niamh]

Well i hope your friend like her trip to Dublin. I mean it is only the best city in europe! (And i'm not only saying that because i'm from there or anything! :D )
Something tells me your boyfriend might like that present.

[cleo]

Thank god I am finished with all my holiday shopping for all my family.
This year I decided to take my staff out to lunch rather than buying them individual gifts

[Shadowsarin]

I'm giving out a happy mood, love and friendship.

Because I'm too damn broke to afford anything else....

[papayahed]

I'm getting my mom a DVD player, and her favorite perfum.

We do a round robin gift exchange in my family. We each put in a $20 gift and we pick from the pile. It needs to be pretty generic but it's stull fun. I'm still trying to figure out what to get for that......any ideas?

[dramasnot6]

Theres a wonderful organization where you can "buy" (sponsor the purchase of) various farm animals for people in third world countries. I'm getting both of my parents chickens :) Last year they gave me a goat and gift card to a bookstore(my favorite present :p) but this year i told them to use the money usually spent on the card to combine with the goat money to buy me a cow. I have waaaay too many books waiting impatiently on my shelves already, another shopping spree will trigger a literary earthquake :p I'm making Christmas cards on photoshop for all my friends in America, each one pertaining to their indivdual interests. I find it really fun and relaxing. I also wrote some poems for a few of my friends who have had a tough year so far, poetry usually cheers me up :D

[dramasnot6]

hmm a $20 gift papaya? I find a great general gift are those unisex spa sets containing fancy soap balls, loofahs, bath fragrances, lotion, etc. Ive seen all types, sizes and qualities for ranging prices. I'm sure youd be able to find a nice one in the $20 range.I bought many of those for my teachers before i left and they love them! Of course, i always attach a card to the gift bag saying "A small gift to help you at least somewhat recover from the hours of stress I've put you through this year" :p

[Shalot]

We're doing a secret Santa thing at work...sort of. There's the department I am in and we drew names among ourselves. I have to buy a $20.00 present for one of my immediate coworkers, who happens to be the employee I am training. I want her to stay with us because she seems intelligent and needs the job so I got what I think is a pretty decent gift for about 20 bucks.

Then there is the "draw-a-number" game with the other departments. I had to buy a $10 dollar gift for that. I got a crystal vase from the department store. I was there today shopping for funeral clothes and I saw that thing which was exactly $10 bucks so I got it. I don't know if a "crystal" vase is such a great gift but I've been there a few years now and it seems that the object of the game is to buy the worst present ever, so I didn't really put too much thought into it.

We're having a Christmas lunch thing tomorrow, and then we will play all these games and exchange all these gifts. I was supposed to prepare some food, but I didn't. A family member died today and I just didn't feel like putting anything together for the stupid office party. I will go to work tomorrow and do a little work, and tell them that I will taking time off for funeral and they should excuse me for not contributing towards the party.

[Virgil]

I'm down to one present to get. For my six year old niece. Any suggestions in the $50 range or even a little more?

[SleepyWitch]

Theres a wonderful organization where you can "buy" (sponsor the purchase of) various farm animals for people in third world countries.

wow, that's such a cool idea, drama! maybe I'll get something like this for my parents next year. Their home is so cluttered they don't need any more knick-knack.




We're having a Christmas lunch thing tomorrow, and then we will play all these games and exchange all these gifts. I was supposed to prepare some food, but I didn't. A family member died today and I just didn't feel like putting anything together for the stupid office party. I will go to work tomorrow and do a little work, and tell them that I will taking time off for funeral and they should excuse me for not contributing towards the party.
Sorry to hear that, Shalot! I'm sure you're colleagues will understand

[dramasnot6]

wow, that's such a cool idea, drama! maybe I'll get something like this for my parents next year. Their home is so cluttered they don't need any more knick-knack.

Oh, it really does make for wonderful gifts! A great organization too, very honest and popular. It's called Heifer, ill give you the link!
http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.183217/


I'm really sorry to hear about your loss Shalot, my deepest sympathies.


I'm down to one present to get. For my six year old niece. Any suggestions in the $50 range or even a little more?

Oh, theres all kinds of gifts to get for a six year old! I love shopping for little kids, theyre not very picky and there is nothing like the gleaming eyes of an excited kiddie to warm your heart :) I used to buy little stickers or party hats at my local $1 shop in the US for the kids i babysat every so often and they loved it! Do you know what she's interested in? Most little girls get fairly barbie obsessed at that age. Barbie dolls with accesories or a barbie house to spend the $50 on one thing. They also sell "kiddy" CD players fairly cheap with little kids music or books on tapes to listen to. I bought those for my cousin and her mother plays them for her in the car to keep her quiet:p She's probably learning to read now? Maybe a few appropriate books too, i couldnt get enough when i first learned :) Kids books are wonderful to shop for anyway! Well, all books are, but kids ones are more carefree and relaxing to buy. What they also love are interactive things, i remember recieving a talking globe when i was 7. It hand a little wand attached and you pointed to anywhere country you wanted and they told you fun facts. You could spend the money on one big thing and I'm sure she'll love it, but kids sometimes get more excited with lots of little trinkets more then one item. Of course, the parents arent too fond of the mess created from that:p :lol: I once bought some little girls i babysat an old fashioned marble kit and they went everywhere in the house! Probably took twice as much time to clean them up then it was to buy them :p

I'm sure youll pick something great though Virgil! Good luck with it!:D

[papayahed]

hmm a $20 gift papaya? I find a great general gift are those unisex spa sets containing fancy soap balls, loofahs, bath fragrances, lotion, etc. Ive seen all types, sizes and qualities for ranging prices. I'm sure youd be able to find a nice one in the $20 range.I bought many of those for my teachers before i left and they love them! Of course, i always attach a card to the gift bag saying "A small gift to help you at least somewhat recover from the hours of stress I've put you through this year" :p

Thanks Snot, I mean Not. (HaHa, I couldn't resist!:lol: ) I was thinking along those lines but I think I got it covered my uncle called and said he found me the perfect gift - an electric dip warmer, you know for you're chips and dip. I may take him up on it, I'm just not sure anybody will like it.

[dramasnot6]

Hmm Electric dip warmer? Sounds like it would a very practical thing for a dinner party or something :) I'm sure someone will like it

[Schokokeks]

I'm sorry to hear about that, Shalot. I hope you will be able to have some happy moments, too, these days!


Well i hope your friend like her trip to Dublin. I mean it is only the best city in europe! (And i'm not only saying that because i'm from there or anything! :D )

Aw, great to know! :D Since I'll be going with her and will be responsible for all the sight-seeing organisation, I'll take the liberty to consult you somewhen in February on where it's worth going around the city ;)

Now that I'm done with present, the really time-consuming thing starts - Christmas cards! There are so many people I want to send one to, and I would like them to be as personal as possible, so I put a lot of effort into writing them. I have already come down to writing them during lectures, otherwise I won't get finished before Christmas...

[Niamh]

Aw, great to know! :D Since I'll be going with her and will be responsible for all the sight-seeing organisation, I'll take the liberty to consult you somewhen in February on where it's worth going around the city ;)



Just post and i'll enlighten you!

[jon1jt]

okay, Christmas is officially over, there's no more egg nog or christmas tree cookies or cheesy christmas songs to distract us. Time to report what you got for Christmas, boys and girls!

1. Did you like your gift(s)?
2. Who gave it to you and was he/she spppppppecial? :lol:
3. or maybe you bought yourself a gift? (the best kind!) :)

Okay, i'll start: my older brother bought me a new acoustic guitar, not that i know how to play or anything! :lol: it comes with a cool carrying case and everything! i had mentioned early this year that i was thinking of buying one, and he actually remembered.:thumbs_up


OKAY, YOUR TURN NOW! c'mon, don't be shy, it's okay to brag!

[dramasnot6]

i got....a goat! :D I think i mentioned on another thread an organization where you can buy farm animals on behalf of people in poor countries. I asked my parents to buy me a goat this year and they were very happy to oblige. Ive even named him Hillbilly Goat :p :D I also got the last season of Six Feet Under and Curb Your Enthusiasm on dvd!
Are you going to learn how to play jon? or just put it in it's case and look cool? :p :cool:

[Scheherazade]

A little headache and a serious case of indigestion.

[Jay]

Somebody wasn't maybe a good girl this year? ;) Though I thought it was supposed to be coal or something of that sort, not bodily harm... gotta update my bookmarks...

*plays with her pile of coals* :D

[higley]

Dad got me Flags of Our Fathers, which I had had my eye on for a while. And both parents got me a Norman Rockwell calendar, which I loved! <3

Scher, I love yer icon. :P

[Virgil]

Wifey got me a remote hard drive for the computer so I coud back everything up. I asked for it.

What does Scher's avy mean? I don't get it. Other than Whore to the third power.:lol: Which I don't think is what is meant. :D

[Jay]

Think ho ho ho? :rolleyes:

[Logos]

@ Virgil -- oh! :eek:

I gotta' kick in the ... oh wait! I got a pressie from Scotland! an' some DVDs.. an' chocolates.. an' a very ni$e gift from $omeone.. and.. a very thoughtful unexpected gift from someone very sweet :D
I wanted a pony but it wouldn't fit on my balcony:bawling:

[Virgil]

Oh. Ho-Ho-Ho, Ho to the third power. :lol: :lol: Boy was I off. I guess my Brooklyn slang thinks of Ho as slang before of a Santa laugh. Sorry to shock some. :D

[genoveva]

Strep throat :sick:
...and a gift certificate to a book store!:banana:

[Stanislaw]

man lots of people got the plague!

...but me:

I gots some cool stuffs:

1. A vintage car calendar.
2. A new seat cover for my car.
3. A cool new coat (well...I bought it with a gift certificate)
4. A new case for me PC (one I requested)
5. Sid Meyer's Pirates (the new one...though the old one was awesome)
6. DVD's: A-team season 1, MI season one, Dilbert the entire series
7. and...Some cool books!

[TEND]

I got a record player, which I was very excited for....
Money towards my trip to Italy.
About a million movies (okay it was 7 but still a lot :D :D ) which were, The Godfather series, Last Tango in Paris, The Thin Red Line, Raging Bull, aaaand A Clockwork Orange.
Some CDs (Jason Aldean, and Corb Lund and the Hurtin' Albertans)
Some books;
Nietszche - Thus Spake Zarathustra
Hesse - Steppenwolfe
Kant - Critique of Practical Reason
Beckett - Waiting for Godot
aaaand clothes, clothes, clothes. :D
I was very happy with it all, lots of books to read, music to listen to, and movies for me and my soon to be step-sister to watch (my moms christmas present was a proposal).

[jon1jt]

i got....a goat! :D I think i mentioned on another thread an organization where you can buy farm animals on behalf of people in poor countries. I asked my parents to buy me a goat this year and they were very happy to oblige. Ive even named him Hillbilly Goat :p :D I also got the last season of Six Feet Under and Curb Your Enthusiasm on dvd!
Are you going to learn how to play jon? or just put it in it's case and look cool? :p :cool:


um...did you say goat??? and you named him...um...Hillbilly Goat?!?!?! :eek: so do you at least get a photo of ole Hillbilly?! :lol:

yes, i just recruited my friend for lessons who is really good - he sings and plays acoustic at cafes/used bookstores. i'm getting my first mini lesson sunday and figure if i practice hard i'll be ready for a show in NY's Central Park by the summer! :D hey if Dave Matthews can do it why can't i?! :lol: :lol: (i'll probably just put the guitar in its case and try to look cool!)

[Scheherazade]

Scher, I love yer icon. :pThank you, Higley. I have always been a fan of yours as well! :)
Oh. Ho-Ho-Ho, Ho to the third power. :lol: :lol: Boy was I off. I guess my Brooklyn slang thinks of Ho as slang before of a Santa laugh. Sorry to shock some. :DIt would be, more accurately, 'ho cubed = ho ho ho'

See, I was rather hesitant whether I should pick that avatar because of its ambiguous meaning but the temptation was far too much.

Yes, it was a test... And, I am afraid, Virgil, you fail! :p

[dramasnot6]

That is a picture of my goat jon! He is a real cutie :DGood luck with your lessons! Keep us updated of what songs you learn too :p :thumbs_up



www.heifer.org/card2.asp?icard=lwIYIhM1JiK3jOQKaJXKcOQIeI1LjM1IxH

[SleepyWitch]

*loads of money from my parents
*a whole box full of dried figs and plums chocolate coated dried fruits and chocolate bars for my boy friend and me to share (from my parents)
*an espresso pot (right word???), a bread knife and rose flavoured sugar crystals from my boyfriend http://www.klaus-j-fuchs.de/bildgal/big/kanne.jpg
i already had a smaller espresso pot but it only gives you one cup and seeing as my bf wants to drink coffee for breakfast, too, he gave me a bigger pot...
well, you can guess what's the story behind the bread knife
*bought myself a handmade toy chameleon/monster thingy, it's black with multicoloured spikes and orange eyes.
(I'll post a pic later, because I need a name for it anyway)

[dramasnot6]

Hey admin, for some reason i keep posting the link to my Goat Card and the post never shows all of it. How do i let it show the whole link? It always cuts it off... it's icard=lwIYIhM1JiK3KjOQKaJXKcOQIeI1LjM1IxH not what they had instead after the icard....:(

[dramasnot6]

Well, here is the pic at least, even though the card page has a cool personal message. the website is www.heifer.org if anybody is interested. Thank ye very kindly for helping me out Jay!

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p231/dramasnot6/goat.jpg

[ShoutGrace]

It looks delectable. :D

[dramasnot6]

It looks delectable. :D

*hugs goat tightly and slowly backs away from Shouty*

[ShoutGrace]

*hugs goat tightly and slowly backs away from Shouty*

:D

:p. I thought you were the one we were worried would eat it? :) Though, I am a hungry student, and it is generally assumed by those who know me that I can't be trusted around potentially ingestable nutrients of any kind. ;)

[dramasnot6]

oh, great suggestion from jay to paste what the card message too, just doing my bit of Heifer promotion :p One of my fav organizations

To: Mira Nair
From: Mom and Dad
A gift of goat has been given
on the occasion of
Christmas
May this gift bring you joy as it brings hope to a family in need

A message from Heifer International
Heifer International is a nonprofit that alleviates hunger, poverty, and environmental degradation through gifts of food and income producing farm animals and training. These animals provide a source of protein, such as eggs and milk, for children and generate income for families through the sale of animal products. Since 1944 Heifer has helped over 4 million families in 125 countries become self-reliant. Each family "passes on the gift" by giving one or more of its animal's offspring to another family in need.

[dramasnot6]

:D

:p. I thought you were the one we were worried would eat it? :) Though, I am a hungry student, and it is generally assumed by those who know me that I can't be trusted around potentially ingestable nutrients of any kind. ;)

Naw, im a vegan. I couldnt eat my goatie anyway :D I picked him because he can be used to give milk and cheese and not just be a meat source for a reason :p Ask Cookie for some cookies if you are hungry Shout! :D

[ShoutGrace]

I was thinking of asking her for some noodles for Christmas, but I was worried about getting rejected on account of the infeasability of the shipping, etc. :D I hear she makes absolutely delicious pastas, somtimes (as is clearly in her nature) with Schokoladen inside. ;)

[Schokokeks]

I was thinking of asking her for some noodles for Christmas, but I was worried about getting rejected on account of the infeasability of the shipping, etc. :D I hear she makes absolutely delicious pastas, somtimes (as is clearly in her nature) with Schokoladen inside. ;)
Oh boy, now it's out :D Well, I assume I'm a hopeless case, being utterly addicted to this most heavenly sort of candy. Guess what, I even mix it with my shampoo, it can do miraculous things to shaggy hair ! :D
But still, you'll get the benefit of my addiction: *hands over plate with post-Christmas choco cookies to ShoutGrace and the rest on the sofa, giving an extra plate with vegan ones to Drama ;)*

For Christmas, I got a washing machine. Yay :D
My brother gave my a DVD (Good Will Hunting, I love that movie). I'm still waiting for two presents from my friends (who somehow didn't notice the arrival of Christmas in time :rolleyes: :D).

[Virgil]

Thank you, Higley. I have always been a fan of yours as well! :)It would be, more accurately, 'ho cubed = ho ho ho'

See, I was rather hesitant whether I should pick that avatar because of its ambiguous meaning but the temptation was far too much.

Yes, it was a test... And, I am afraid, Virgil, you fail! :p

:lol: :lol: I know. I'm bad. I wasn't thinking Christmas. Sorry.:D

[Virgil]

Hey drama, those goats are great for garden maintenence. I knew a guy who had bought property that was over run with shrubs and in desperate need of a lot of physical work. He actually rented a goat who went and ate the shrubs down to a managable level. What are you going to feed him?

[Madhuri]

Well, here is the pic at least, even though the card page has a cool personal message. the website is www.heifer.org if anybody is interested. Thank ye very kindly for helping me out Jay!

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p231/dramasnot6/goat.jpg

Hey, is this the real goat you have? I mean this doesnt look like Australia, but more like India....


Naw, im a vegan. I couldnt eat my goatie anyway :D I picked him because he can be used to give milk and cheese and not just be a meat source for a reason :p Ask Cookie for some cookies if you are hungry Shout! :D

Correct me if I am wrong do 'he' goats give milk? :confused:

And, so far as I know 'she' goats are never killed. I think in no species females are killed as food source, I could be wrong though.

[Laindessiel]

I don't know about goats and if "he" or a "she" gives milk. All I know is that they eat grass. Lots of grass. They even pull it out of your hand even if they're not done. ;)

What I got for the holidays?

Mandu. A Korean delicacy. It's kind of like siomai but they put steamed and mashed tofu and less ground pork and more herbs. Koreans don't use salt very often. Korean food actually taste bland for most Filipinos but they're delish! You try out Kalbi too: a tasty barbecue Korean-style! Masisoyo!

[Laindessiel]

And I forgot. Clothes from a model-cousin.

[Shadowsarin]

I got a new PS2 (My old one broke) and a lava lamp. And a few other bits anf bobs.

[RobinHood3000]

An all-day lollipop, green hat that looks great (even if a bit small), and a plush Goofy. All from the same person!! :blush: She's so good to me...:bawling:

[Laindessiel]

You're crying becuase you're super flattered or because you can't give her something meaningful back? Or neither?

[Shadowsarin]

How about spending hours and hours and hours on like the single most beautiful card you could ever make, really elaborate and all, and just write something like "I love you" or "For my perfect friend" or something? Seems cheap, but the meanings behind it, if they go for that sort of thing, are immense.

[Madhuri]

I like that idea, Shadow. :nod: I am sure it will work for Robin.

[RobinHood3000]

You're crying becuase you're super flattered or because you can't give her something meaningful back? Or neither?Closer to the first one, although I'm still working on trying to do her wonderful gifts justice...

[dramasnot6]

Hey, is this the real goat you have? I mean this doesnt look like Australia, but more like India....



Correct me if I am wrong do 'he' goats give milk? :confused:

And, so far as I know 'she' goats are never killed. I think in no species females are killed as food source, I could be wrong though.

Naw, its not my real goat. They are a very popular organization and dont have time to photgraph each individual goat. It's just their sample goat that they send to everyone who has bought one. They dont deliver it to where you live, you just send money and they give the goat to someone in a third world country. I like the organization because its a very direct trade off so you know where the money is going and can trust them not to pocket it. I dont know what gender it is, but i hope it can provide milk and cheese too.

[higley]

Sure, there's goat milk. And oh yes, they are terribly grabby with their food ;) One ate my uncle's jacket years ago.

[Virgil]

Unless something is different in the goat world, I can't imagine He-goats providing milk. I wouldn't tug on his thingy expected milk if I were you. :p :p :D :D

[dramasnot6]

Sure, there's goat milk. And oh yes, they are terribly grabby with their food ;) One ate my uncle's jacket years ago.

I was petrified of goats between 4 and 6 yrs Im told. My parents took me to a petting zoo when i was 4 and when i reached over to a goat, it ate my name tag right off of my shirt! Of course, all is forgiven now :D

Virgil: :lol: I do not plan anytime soon to tug on a goat's "thingy"! He would probably get rather indignant and kick me or maybe bite my hand off :p

[higley]

I wouldn't tug on his thingy expected milk if I were you. :p :p :D :D

Way to be eloquent, Virg. ;)

[RobinHood3000]

I wouldn't tug on his thingy expected milk if I were you. :p :p :D :DEspecially if you're Lorena Bobbitt. :sick:

[SummerSolstice]

Just what I asked for: an unabridged thesaurus (enormous!!) and The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. Also what I didn't ask for: A gargantuan dictionary that probably weighs 15 pounds, and a G. C. Levine book, and a video game and an mp3 player!!! Yay :D I've never had an mp3 player before. It's very exciting. My brother's still trying to get me to NOT sing along with it. But it's hard. ^_^

[dramasnot6]

The Tale of Despereaux is a wonderful book! im sure you will love it. be warned, mp3 players become your very best friend veeeeeery easily :D :p

[IamMissingaLink]

i got money - which i promptly banked. I'm so festive.

[Stanislaw]

The Tale of Despereaux is a wonderful book! im sure you will love it. be warned, mp3 players become your very best friend veeeeeery easily :D :p

MP3...GOOD...CD...BAD...er well, not so good. :D

You can download the chronicles of narnia, listen to podcasts and best of all, listen to music...lots of music!

[kilted exile]

I gots a six pack of Sierra Nevada beer brought in from a friend visiting from LA & a puppet of the character in "The Scream" ~ it does scream when you press its stomach.....I told most people not to get me anything this year.

[Poetess]

I got nothing :D

[alhara]

I got nothing :D
do they celebrate x-mas in lebanon?
i got a toilit paper holder??? and an orange scarf form my host family and copy of notinger abbey from my best friend the rest is back in america I don't know what it is

[Madhuri]

I too got nothing, but, I have asked my Christian friend to get me some chocolate cake when he comes back to Delhi. :D Yeah, I know I dont wait for gifts, I ask for it...:D

[SummerSolstice]

The Tale of Despereaux is a wonderful book! im sure you will love it. be warned, mp3 players become your very best friend veeeeeery easily :D :p

Indeed. :D I'd actually checked Despereaux out from the University library (They call it the "curriculum center." I call it the "kid's section!") and ended up keeping in the whole three-week limit and reading it three times. I don't actually get books unless I know I want them and will want them years from now--shelf space is precious!

I know already about the mp3 player trap!! I'm going to have to hide it from myself so I can keep my writer ears open if this gets to be too much of a habit!

[Poetess]

do they celebrate x-mas in lebanon?
i got a toilit paper holder??? and an orange scarf form my host family and copy of notinger abbey from my best friend the rest is back in america I don't know what it is

Of course we do. Christians and Muslims, we both do.
But still, not tha majority of Muslims celebrate it like Christians. At last, it is the birthday of Isa, a prophet.

[papayahed]

I got socks and underwear!!! It's kind of a joke, every year my mom asks what I and I tell her socks and underwear. I also go one of those "puzzle a day" calenders and a Rachel Ray cookbook, which will definately help with my ban on fast food.

[Taliesin]

They say the (only) difference between the toys of big boys and the toys of little boys is the fact the first ones are more expensive.

http://tn3-1.deviantart.com/fs15/300W/i/2006/365/4/d/Camera_by_Taliesintoomas.jpg

[dramasnot6]

Nice camera!

[Misscaroline]

A bunch of stuff for the coming trek to Universityland... and a few awesome books and movies, as always... who else could find time to satiate the Slovak Catholics constantly and still take in almost four hundred pages of Eoin Colfer in a few days??? Oh, and I spent all morning helping mini MC take things out of boxes, and teaching her how to work stuff... only this morning did I get to look at more than one present to myself.....

[zanna]

A CD, some socks . . . (I was actually happy about the socks . . . :lol: )
Also, lotsa moohlah for my trip. That was really nice, because I'm having a hard time scraping the money together. No special people, but that's prob'ly cuz I didn't call him . . . :( . . . too chicken . . .

[Misscaroline]

:( Can't I loan you my guts for the holidays so you can do it? No one should have to go through the near-but-too-scared-to-get-closer bit....

[zanna]

thanks . . . :) My motto: Life sucks when you have less guts than a fish stick! :lol: I was actually getting better at it for a while, but it's been hard lately. Blah. And I might tonight, seein' as most everyone's up until midnight.

[Misscaroline]

I'm not even going to point out how many guts might actually be in a fishstick...:sick: And that's sweet. Let me know if you need a pep talk...

[stlukesguild]

I got a lovely coffee table sized picture book on archeology. Fabulous photos of Angkhor Wat, The Colleseum, The Sphynx, the Pyramids of Giza, etc... I love it as my own art work has begun to show influences of such ancient ruins. I also got a bunch of cds: Haydn's sonatas, Grieg's piano concerto, Brahms/Sibelius' violin concertos, Granados' Goyesques, Mercadante's flute concerti, Howell's Missa Sabrinensis, Elgar and Vaughan Williams by Barbirolli, Mendelssohn's Elijah, and more. I also got a new digital camera. OK... I bought it myself for both the wife and I... but you can do that when you get "older".:blush:

[dramasnot6]

Dont worry, not just an "old" thing to buy things for yourself :p This New Years i couldnt help but treat myself to a pocket book of poetry :blush: Just cant resist those!
Sounds like a really wonderful colelction of music though! Have a great time enjoying it! :D

[thevintagepiper]

-New converse shoes!! Yay!! My old high tops were so dirty and I'd wrotten and drawn all over them. These are low top, pink and black ones.
-Money for my room
-iTunes card (which I've already mostly spent on Flyleaf, Red, Blesk, and Loreena McKennitt)
-Spending money (in American dollars!! Haha....it's strange but that always seems like so much to me now, cause it's almost 3 times as much as a dirham)
-Lovely bracelet that my aunt made from a necklace that my late Grandmother owned.
-Northanger Abbey, Emma, and Mansfield Park by Jane Austen, so now I own all of her books!
-Invasion of the Body Snatchers (SO excited...I adore that book)
-Coupon saying I could buy Eisley's new CD as soon as it comes out

In the evening we went out in the desert which was really fun :)

[Leon]

I got a vail of holy water from Turkey.

More importantly, it was from a friend whom i had fallen out with for sometime. So it was a pleasant surprise, and i suppose, a reason to start talking again - although i still find him oddly annoying. A fault of my part i'd say. But to be very cliched about it, the best gift of christmas is the gift of friendship.

O and i also got a job. Thats always good.

[Shadowsarin]

i also got a job

I wish someone would get me one of those :(

[Scheherazade]

:lol: :lol: I know. I'm bad. Surely not the first adjective coming to mind...
I wasn't thinking Christmas. We all could tell, Virgil...
Sorry.:DAnd apology is accepted. :p


Dramas> I usually give similar gifts too through World Vision (http://www.greatgifts.org/GiftSelection/home.aspx), through which we sponsor children as well. They are much better than generic gifts given because we *have to*, I believe.

For children, I have opted for Adopt An Animal Scheme (http://www.donation4charity.org/wwf-adoptions.php) couple of times because they really get excited with the idea that you 'own' a wild animal and getting the news of them! :)

[dramasnot6]

Oh i love the Adopt An Animal program too! I got a dolphin for my grandmother last year on her birthday because she loves them so much. Its also a wonderful organization :D

[dramasnot6]

i think it was the same WWF organization but maybe a different program, i think the American branch of the program or something. Theres several of them out there, thats probably the best one though

[grace86]

okay, Christmas is officially over, there's no more egg nog or christmas tree cookies or cheesy christmas songs to distract us. Time to report what you got for Christmas, boys and girls!

1. Did you like your gift(s)?
2. Who gave it to you and was he/she spppppppecial? :lol:
3. or maybe you bought yourself a gift? (the best kind!) :)

Okay, i'll start: my older brother bought me a new acoustic guitar, not that i know how to play or anything! :lol: it comes with a cool carrying case and everything! i had mentioned early this year that i was thinking of buying one, and he actually remembered.:thumbs_up


OKAY, YOUR TURN NOW! c'mon, don't be shy, it's okay to brag!


My turn! Well what I got for Christmas says a lot about who I am, especially for those here who know me.

First: an Archaeological study Bible - a bible in NIV with articles on the geography, anthropology and cultural aspects of the times...fun stuff.

Second: a maple wood lap desk - to accompany the reading light that is in the wall over my bed I got last year...for all the reading and hw I tend to do before I fall asleep

Third: lots of jewelry - a gold and diamond music note from my sweetie, and a gold and silver cross on an anchor from my friend.

An expensive purse from mommy, movies, music, two books (The Thirteenth Tale and The Book of Lost things) and clothes....:D

[thevintagepiper]

First: an Archaeological study Bible - a bible in NIV with articles on the geography, anthropology and cultural aspects of the times...fun stuff.


Oh wow! That sounds awesome!

[jon1jt]

My turn! Well what I got for Christmas says a lot about who I am, especially for those here who know me.

First: an Archaeological study Bible - a bible in NIV with articles on the geography, anthropology and cultural aspects of the times...fun stuff.

Second: a maple wood lap desk - to accompany the reading light that is in the wall over my bed I got last year...for all the reading and hw I tend to do before I fall asleep

Third: lots of jewelry - a gold and diamond music note from my sweetie, and a gold and silver cross on an anchor from my friend.

An expensive purse from mommy, movies, music, two books (The Thirteenth Tale and The Book of Lost things) and clothes....:D


Mmmm, sounds like my kind of desk! now i want one ...i'm so jealous!!!! :bawling:

[Pensive]

Nothing for Christmas, but yes, hundred rupees for Eid Day. :) I spent my hundred rupees buying candies.

[Rampant]

Many, many things that I quite enjoy from people who are quite a joy to be around. God I love christmas.

[SleepyWitch]

Surely not the first adjective coming to mind... We all could tell, Virgil... And apology is accepted. :p


Dramas> I usually give similar gifts too through World Vision (http://www.greatgifts.org/GiftSelection/home.aspx), through which we sponsor children as well. They are much better than generic gifts given because we *have to*, I believe.

For children, I have opted for Adopt An Animal Scheme (http://www.donation4charity.org/wwf-adoptions.php) couple of times because they really get excited with the idea that you 'own' a wild animal and getting the news of them! :)

wow, Scher, these schemes are great. Do they do gifts all year round or only for Xmas? I'd like to get my boyfriend something for his bday but it's in July

[Scheherazade]

wow, Scher, these schemes are great. Do they do gifts all year round or only for Xmas? I'd like to get my boyfriend something for his bday but it's in JulyAs far as I am aware, yes, they do gifts all year round - though the range might change a little.

[kathycf]

I got an airpurifier and a dvd player from my special guy.

[Niamh]

i got an ipod from my boyfriend even though i've spent over a year telling him how i dont want an mp3 player because i wouldn't know what to do with it. i am completely hooked on the thing now though!

my mam got me most haunted series five. series six will be for my birthday this month.

[Laindessiel]

I wish someone gave me a gift certificate worth a P500,000 ($10,000) for some book shopping at PowerBooks. Gosh. Seems like nobody's ever that generous...

[Virgil]

Poof, you got it. :D :D

Hi Lainy. How have you been?

[Laindessiel]

Great now that you've treated me! ;)

I missed everyone here, especially the Wolf.

Nobody loved viruses. Why do they have to be in our midst?

[Virgil]

Great now that you've treated me! ;)

I missed everyone here, especially the Wolf.

Nobody loved viruses. Why do they have to be in our midst?

Oh is that what happened? Well, welcome back. You and Toni were missed.

[kilted exile]

A parcel has just arrived at my house via courier, I have no idea who has sent it but it contains one of my favourite films (the 1951 B&W version of "A Christmas Carol" starring Alastair Sim) and some new reading material (Rob Neyer's Big Book Of Baseball Blunders).

The game is afoot, now I have to figure out who sent it.

[Nightshade]

lets not some much for xmas but I got for eid/xmas from work a box of cholcates, a diary a headsacarf someone got if for christmas and hated it so she gave it to me...itll do for the summer at the beach though. Oh a bottle of pink champaign bubble bath oh and from the guy how brings the french alchol to the rest of the people a bottle of absaloutly tottaly alchol free grabe rasberry and crabery juice Shloer but still very nice of him:D.


Oh and I got three knitted jumpers for xmas from my great-aunt or is it great-great? no I think just great:D
Wow Drew you have a real secret santa thats lovley:nod::D

[lorrainea]

:idea: anyone any ideas on a great read for my 7year old neice? she loves books and reading but it must be short stories that grab her attention quickly. thanks:)

[samercury]

Any of the Wayside School books (if she hasn't read them already)- they'e very interesting and pretty funny. The Disney Fairies books are pretty short and my little sister and her friends seem to like them.

[dancerchick310]

at that age I was hooked on those goosebumps books. Try a series.

[packersfan]

Something like Because of Winn Dixie might be good....
I don't know if it a little too old for a seven year old though.

[LadyWentworth]

Have you ever tried the "Little House" series by Laura Ingalls Wilder? The first 4 books in the series are simple enough (as Laura grows up in the story, the writing seems to be a tad bit more detailed). Easy reading. These aren't books that are of a story that is told continuously throughout the books. Each chapter is like its own story. Basically, I guess you could consider them like a collection of short stories.

You can check out this website http://www.littlehousebooks.com/

[motherhubbard]

My daughter read the Magic Tree House series when she was 7. There is a web sight that's pretty good http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/magictreehouse/ . They were written by a teacher and they are full of historical facts and other stuff like that. She loved them and wouldn't read anything else until she had completed the series

[cactus]

Hi,

My favourite childhood picture book is The Giving Tree. Your 7 year old neice would definitely love it.

Cactus

[lorrainea]

thanks everyone!
A lot of great ideas. My daughters only 4yrs old but i can't wait for her to start reading on her own and enjoying books.

[Niamh]

How about some of Enid Blyton? I think i recall her have collections of short stories about brownies and pixies for kids in around that age group. I had a book years ago. Last christmas my sister and myself gave our 7yrs old niece the Far away tree books and the Wishingchair books but Blyton.:)

[papayahed]

the goose is getting fat, Please put a penny in the old man's hat.:lol: (I just broke my on rule of no christmas carols until december but I'm on a time crunch this year)


I know it's early yet, but I must beg for help.

My Mom. What do you get the woman who has everything? She doesn't read much. Doesn't really listen to music, doesn't like candles, soaps, or bath and body products, and doesn't really have any hobbies. If she wants something she just goes and gets it herself.... arrgghhhhh.

I'm thinking of getting her Dance Dance Revolution but I know that will just be a fun thing that day and once I leave will be put in the closet never to be seen again...

I'm sure everybody has hard to buy for people, and have you ever given them anything that "knocked they're socks off"?

[Scheherazade]

Why not donate money to some charity on her behalf then? Like getting a goat or some chickens for a family? Or school books for children?

Or even adopt a child? She can write to the child, send little gifts and receive letters from her/him too?

How is she with the internet? Maybe membership on a game site such as Pogo if she likes card and board games?

Or pay for her registration to a hobby course?

Or a weekend at a spa? Or something similar to spoil her?

[papayahed]

Thanks Scher those are some good suggestions. I think I'm going to look for a cooking class near her.

So, I booked a flight to go back home for Thanksgiving through Expedia.com. This morning I received an email to confirm my reservations. I never look at those but this morning I did and I almost crapped my pants. I've booked flights for varios relatives and friends so I have a bunch of names listed as possible passengers. Somehow when I booked this latest flight I listed my mom as the passenger.:eek: The airline won't let you change the name of the passenger so I had to cancel that flight and rebook under my name. To make a short story even longer I could only get a voucher for the cancelled flight that has to be used within a year. It's under my mom's name so she's the only one that can use it! So effectively I just ended up buying her a plane ticket to anywhere continental flies.........

I don't suppose I could give her that as a christmas present huh?????

[Scheherazade]

Hey, that sounds like a nice treat. Is there a specific place she would like to visit? Throw in the hotel fee now that you are at it! :p

[Niamh]

:lol: I think thats a good plan. Give her the voucher and offer to pay for the hotel where ever she decides to go. :nod:

[papayahed]

Wait a minute, I'm not made of money....What if she decides to stay someplace for a week? or two????

[Niamh]

Well then give her the voucher inside a nice card, and say something like "Go somewhere nice on me!"

[stephofthenight]

okay so im done with mom, dad, and my 2 sisters. but i still have to get girlfriend, boyfriend and figure out what to get andy.

any sugestions on good gifts?

girlfriend,~megan~
punk rocker, loves music. loves penguins. realy random and bubbly. addicted to chocolate and gum. fav color is blue. 16

boyfriend~kris~
tatoo artist. 5 months together. realy calm and laid back. doesnt like animals, or randomness. realy imature. doesnt wear colougne(however you spell it) or anything like that. fav. color is green. 19

andy.
umm. for his graduation gift i send him a teddybear and some candy.
neo, or proffesior..or elder khamsa :D

PLEASE HELP ME PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.

[andave_ya]

How about music? I know Neo likes Celtic Woman?

[stephofthenight]

okay, so celtic women. but like what album? what does he have already? arg i hate trying to figure this out.

[andave_ya]

What about "Celtic Woman: A New Journey"? We haven't talked about CW in a while but I don't think he's heard that one yet.

[stephofthenight]

okay so andy is taken care of...celtic woman a new journey...now about the other two

[andave_ya]

How about the movie "Happy Feet" for your girlfriend? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0366548/

[stephofthenight]

she has it and the soundtrack

[andave_ya]

LOL ok that might not work. How about the one with the surfer penguins? I forgot what it's called, though.

[stephofthenight]

lol i think she might have it not sure. megan is taken care of.

now for the difficult one. kris?

[andave_ya]

Calm and laid back tatoo artist boyfriend...I'm sure you want to get something special for him. Maybe tickets for his favorite band? I don't really have any idea, sorry. Maybe you two could do something like paint his/your bedroom together? That might be fun? Or a one day trip to a theme park or something?

[stephofthenight]

hmm. he actualy doesnt like being seen in public with me. :blush: so that is out... umm anything tatto related i could get him or something like that. we cant paint my room, he cant paint his. so that is out... thank you for your help