Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts

Friday, December 10, 2010

What I don't want...


It's that time of year where everyone is rushing around trying to figure out what the perfect Holiday gift will be for their friends and family. While so many people are coming out with their wish list and holiday gift guides, let me help in the opposite direction, by eliminating some of the guesswork. So many times we tell clients, "tell us what you don't like" because it helps us narrow in on what they would like, this is a list to help do just that. Let me tell you what I (and I assume most women) don't want.

1. The latest "As seen on TV" item that is on sale at the checkout counter at CVS. I don't care if you think it will make my life easier/better/more convenient.

2. Any jewelry/bag/scarf/accessory that you are also buying for your mother, but in a different color. We aren't 3 year old twins.

3. Household items, including but not limited to: cooking items, appliances, towels, hangers, trivets, coffee cups, electric blankets, etc. *EXCEPTION* if someone clearly expresses that they want a specific item that falls into this category. Get them the exact item, not a similar version. EXAMPLE: I wanted a Cuisinart Griddler a few years ago, I was very specific and my fabulous sister-in-law got it for me and I love it. However, buying a pink blender is not the same, don't do it.

4. A star in our vast galaxy. If you are going to spend money on something intangible, make sure it goes to a worthwhile cause. Y.S. approved examples:

WWF - World Wildlife Foundation. Adopt an animal for me...something cute of course.

Heifer International
- Buy a Llama in my name. The money you spend goes to giving a lovely llama to a family in the mountains of Latin America where they can sheer the fleece off the llama and use it to make clothes for themselves or for sale. If you aren't into llamas they have several options including, geese, goats, rabbits, just to name a few.

World Vision - For $25 you can give a child clean water, or for $32 you can give them notebooks and materials for school.

The point is, if you are going to spend on something, don't buy me a damn star that I will never be able to find.

5. If you are going to buy me clothes, and you don't know my size, DO NOT mess up by getting me something too small. If you think I might/maybe/almost am a medium, get me a large. If you lower my self esteem on Christmas Day, I won't be naughty or nice to you, just indifferent--that's worse.

Happy holidays--go forth and shop!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Inching towards holiday spirit...

I am not really one for the holidays. Nothing against Christmas, Jesus, Santa or any other holiday entity, it's just not my thing. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy certain aspects, gift giving & getting, family gathering, and all of that heartwarming stuff. So far our holiday season has been pretty fun and I am gearing up for another round of yule-tide events. Holidays are tricky for our family, with half of us not being from Atlanta Thanksgiving is the trade off holiday where we all scatter and flee the south. I go home to San Jose, where my favorite thing occurs right after turkey day....Christmas in the Park! It's a tradition in Downtown San Jose that I drag my husband to every year. This year I realized how cool it was when I was younger...and not so much now since it took us about 4 minutes to walk through the whole thing...but it's still a necessary event that begins to put me in the holiday mood.


Where are these Gingerbread People's mouths?


Sorry Sandy, I cut you off...


I think it's an owl? Not entirely sure.


Creepy plastic Santa.


The Rat King from The Nutcracker


NCIDQ rubbing off, the Underwriters Laboratories had a Christmas Tree, ironically it had no lights. Any time you have anything electric and you see a little circle with UL in it, that means these people checked it out for you.


Rows and rows of Christmas Trees


The Fairmont Hotel had a life size gingerbread house in their lobby. I remember when I was little they used to have giant nutcrackers and Christmas trees made out of chocolate & candy.


Yummmy!