Welcome to the first ever Tribal Blogs Carnival! For our first carnival we are talking about the worst Christmas gifts ever. Some of us received them and some of us gave them.
My ex, Anastasia was not a good gift giver. Often times she forgot holidays, or perhaps she didn't forget them, they just snuck up on her and she succumbed to the pressure by shopping at Walgreens. Ok, I guess you could say she shopped like a guy. Now I'm sure if one were creative enough one could find a wonderful gift at Walgreens, or create a thoughtful gift basket or...something. Something that didn't look like they ran into Walgreens in a panic and bought the first thing that they saw.
Our last Christmas together was the worst. I suspect because she was already seeing
the other woman. (Yes, if you're new to this blog, she was cheating on me.) She had asked for a list of things I would want (she always did that for Christmas for me and the kids). I don't think I've ever asked a significant other what they'd like for Christmas, I just pay attention! I'd even email her links to buy the items online at the cheapest price. Yes, I did all the leg work. The item top on my list was a cast iron dutch oven. I found the best buy at Walmart. A few days before Christmas she declared that she was tired of Christmas shopping (she had already bought gifts for everyone else) and asked me to pick up the dutch oven. She also said she ran out of money and
could I pay for it. So yes, folks, I went to Walmart, braved the crowds and purchased my
own gift with
my own money. It wasn't just that I had to go get the gift that bothered me, it was that I also had to pay for it.
What are some of the thoughtful creative (and I might add, usually expensive) gifts I've given in the past?
1. Ipod Nano which I not only loaded with lots of music that the recipient loves, but also with a slide show complete with appropriate songs that played during the slide show. Also play lists created by me with various themes. Music mixes if you will.
2. Ipod Nano loaded with lots of music that the recipient loves.
3. Digital SLR camera and case for the photography lover.
4. Amazon Kindle. (Which by the way is what I got Anastasia the year I had to buy my own Christmas gift with my own money.)
5. Photo collages and a photo album of old family photos which I obtained by secretly meeting with Anastasia's sister and Mother and spending hours at Wolf Camera scanning photos and getting reprints.
6. A dutch baby pancake pan for the dutch baby pancake lover. A pan that is expensive and very difficult to find and I seriously doubt has ever even been used.
7. A very expensive Nike driver for the golf lover.
8. A very expensive set of Nike golf clubs. (And I actually was chastised for not buying the matching bag. The nerve!)
I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. I'm thoughtful, I pay attention to what the recipient likes and I'm creative. The fact that many of the gifts were expensive is beside the point. The point is that I took care in selecting something I knew the recipient would love.
So how can you avoid giving the worst Christmas gift ever?1. Pay attention always.
Does the recipient have any hobbies and do they need any upgraded equipment for those hobbies?
Has the recipient mentioned in passing that they like a particular gadget or item?
2. If you have little money to spend, is there something that you can hand make or create that is thoughtful and just perfect for the recipient? Is there a gag gift that would be hilarious that you could create from some inexpensive items?
3. Check around the recipient's place, do they have any family photos up and if not, can you get access to some photos to make reprints? I think the person who doesn't appreciate old family photos is rare and who wouldn't appreciate copies of photos from their childhood or family? Or take that box of photographs in the back of the closet and put them in chronological or thematic order and create photo collages or photo albums.
4. Is the person a music or movie lover who would appreciate a gadget pre-loaded with their favorites?
Click on this link to go to the next Tribal Blogs Carnival participant:
The Christmas ProposalLola's Diner ©2008-2010
It's gift giving time and if you're stuck for ideas, how about an intimate or romantic gift? Something you and your significant other can enjoy together, or how about something for yourself?
