Ricochet 2011 Gift Guide
In my house, we give gifts throughout the Christmas season. And, in fact, I wait for the after-Christmas sales to really get going. I need to get gifts for people aged 2 on through 75.
Could you help me out and tell me what some of your favorite gifts were? Either the ones you gave or the ones you received?
For what it's worth, my 4-year-old's favorite was this World's Largest Piano Mat from Grandma and Grandpa H. I asked my 2-year-old for her favorite gift and she rambled on and on about "the polka-dot one." I'm pretty sure she's referring to the way I wrapped some hand-me-down pajamas from the cousins in polka-dot wrapping paper.
I liked this sampler of Penhaligon's I got for my husband -- he can pick whichever one he likes and I'll start saving for next Christmas.
So, for those taking part in the gift giving merriment, what was the best gift you gave or received?
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Dec '10
Re: Ricochet 2011 Gift Guide
Best one given was my wife's idea - we gave our daughter a Yamaha electronic keyboard (purchased used from a friend). She's an accomplished performer in acting, singing and dancing but has yet to learn an instrument. Her BFF is an accomplished pianist and is thrilled with giving the girl lessons.
On the flip side, my mother-in-law once again holds the title for the strangest gift. Her son (my brother-in-law) is wealthy and pretty much has whatever he wants. But the mom-in-law came up with a box of food stuffs that included a jar of foot long vienna sausages and a box of rainbow colored pasta - that was called "mother-in-law's tongue". We're all still scratching our heads - while simultaneously trying to stifle the laughs! (the gift was most definitely not intended as a joke).
Edited on Dec 26, 2011 at 9:54amMar '11
Re: Ricochet 2011 Gift Guide
The best gift for any child is any gift which will take them outdoors; swing set, soccer ball, jump rope the use of one's imagination is encouraged here. Anything that takes children away from their Nintendos, their PS3s or their Facebook accounts for even an hour is priceless. By happy coincidence this is also the best gift for their parents.
May '10
Re: Ricochet 2011 Gift Guide
No help here. I specifically asked my wife not to get me any Christmas presents this year. I got only one ... from my brother .... an illustrated family history that goes back to 1620, and by oral history to 1215. THAT is something I cherish.
Edited on Dec 26, 2011 at 10:23amSep '11
Re: Ricochet 2011 Gift Guide
A piece of embroidery commissioned by Liz from a friend who is a magnificent quilter and needlewoman - ostensibly a cushion cover, but much too good for that, so I shall hang it. I think there is something very special about anything that has been crafted or painted and is unique.
Apr '11
Re: Ricochet 2011 Gift Guide
While not a Christmas gift per se, my 87 year old father gave us his reminiscences of WWII when he was in Europe with the Timberwolves of the 104th Division, 1944-45. Simply titled, "The First Trip to Europe," it is 12 pages of single-spaced wonderment. For me, this is priceless.
Nov '10
Re: Ricochet 2011 Gift Guide
My parents gave our daughter her own flute for both her Christmas and December 30th 12th birthday present. It was refurbished, so it's not new, but she loves it. When asked what her top three favorite Christmas presents were, she said. "Well, my favorite is the flute. Everything else is a blur."
This is her second year in band, and it did not occur to me that she would be so taken with playing the flute. But she is, and learned to play it quickly, and loves band. And my mom, who was a music major, is so pleased to see musical interest in her progeny that she made arrangements to provide my daughter her own flute instead of one borrowed from the school that "had a sticky key that was driving me crazy."
Another special present amongst many was a label maker from my husband. I love to label bins, plastic drawers, and whatnot when I organize. I feel like things are more likely to stay put that way. But he detests labeling, and claims that I will stick labels on all the kitchen cupboards and drawers. So I was touched by this present--a sacrifice, I thought.
Aug '10
Re: Ricochet 2011 Gift Guide
We were thrilled to receive a packet of smoked salmon that requires no refrigeration until it's opened.
And we're always thrilled to give and receive interesting books. (This year, several friends and family are receiving de Soto's "The Mystery of Capital" from us. It was on sale.)
Edited on Dec 26, 2011 at 12:28pmSep '11
Re: Ricochet 2011 Gift Guide
When I was about 10 my sister handed me a smallish box for Christmas--about the size of a shoebox--it was a shoebox, in fact! In it were about 50 items of clothing she had sewn over the year for my Barbie doll. I'm not sure it was the best present I've ever gotten, but it's a present I certainly remember--and I appreciated the many, many hours she had spent making them.
Dec '10
Re: Ricochet 2011 Gift Guide
I can't help much, Mollie. The best received gift I gave was a bow and arrow set to the youngest, but that doesn't seem appropriate. My beloved is not happy with the gift I gave her, because she doesn't yet know I have a hidden gift, for her.
What I can do is suggest what not to give (though I kinda like it). My beloved's sister gave me this. My office/workshop is tucked into the far corner of the property, exactly the same place that my beloved decided we needed to build her new chicken pen, so I have clucking and randy birds, basically everywhere. Plus this is where I sneak away to smoke a small cigar, grab a cigarette, or stab my eyes out. So sister fell in love with this piece in an antique shop, but couldn't think of a person that might appreciate chickens. Or smoked. Then she realized, "Wait, CJ's got chickens all around his office! And he smokes!"
I'm just sharing, not suggesting.
Sep '11
Re: Ricochet 2011 Gift Guide
Liz says her best gift came from a "Secret Santa" at work (you draw lots to buy one of your colleages an anonymous gift costing no more than $10). It's a tote bag with the words on the side, "Wear your beliefs lightly". Good advice, I think.
Sep '11
Re: Ricochet 2011 Gift Guide
Sep '11
Re: Ricochet 2011 Gift Guide
May '10
Re: Ricochet 2011 Gift Guide
I got a Swiss Army knife, something I always wanted but could never bring myself to buy.
Re: Ricochet 2011 Gift Guide
CJRun: I can't help much, Mollie. The best received gift I gave was a bow and arrow set to the youngest, but that doesn't seem appropriate. My beloved is not happy with the gift I gave her, because she doesn't yet know I have a hidden gift, for her.
What I can do is suggest what not to give (though I kinda like it). My beloved's sister gave me this. My office/workshop is tucked into the far corner of the property, exactly the same place that my beloved decided we needed to build her new chicken pen, so I have clucking and randy birds, basically everywhere. Plus this is where I sneak away to smoke a small cigar, grab a cigarette, or stab my eyes out. So sister fell in love with this piece in an antique shop, but couldn't think of a person that might appreciate chickens. Or smoked. Then she realized, "Wait, CJ's got chickens all around his office! And he smokes!"
I'm just sharing, not suggesting. · Dec 26 at 2:32pm
I want that ashtray. And I don't even smoke.
Dec '10
Re: Ricochet 2011 Gift Guide
That's just wrong.
We also have eldest boy home from boot camp for another few days, but when she and I lie back, we will laugh until she gets the hiccups, when I remind her of the Randy Chicken Ashtray.
Aug '10
Re: Ricochet 2011 Gift Guide
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
I want that ashtray. And I don't even smoke.
Well, there's something like it for sale on e-bay, if that helps. Have you got a chicken that needs stimulation?
May '10
Re: Ricochet 2011 Gift Guide
One of my daughters got me a shiny, china-blue tea kettle. I hadn't realized till she did that my old tea kettle was looking a little ragged and nasty.
Dec '10
Re: Ricochet 2011 Gift Guide
CJRun: I can't help much, Mollie. The best received gift I gave was a bow and arrow set to the youngest, but that doesn't seem appropriate. My beloved is not happy with the gift I gave her, because she doesn't yet know I have a hidden gift, for her.
What I can do is suggest what not to give (though I kinda like it). My beloved's sister gave me this. My office/workshop is tucked into the far corner of the property, exactly the same place that my beloved decided we needed to build her new chicken pen, so I have clucking and randy birds, basically everywhere. Plus this is where I sneak away to smoke a small cigar, grab a cigarette, or stab my eyes out. So sister fell in love with this piece in an antique shop, but couldn't think of a person that might appreciate chickens. Or smoked. Then she realized, "Wait, CJ's got chickens all around his office! And he smokes!"
I'm just sharing, not suggesting. · Dec 26 at 2:32pm
Lawsy! That's gotta win somethin' in the gift giving annals!
May '10
Re: Ricochet 2011 Gift Guide
My daughter and I went to Whole Foods in Baltimore, and I was unsuccessful in finding Terra blue potato chips, made from the wonderful purple Peruvian potatoes.
On Christmas, I got a very large box from my daughters. Jeff Bezos is a Democrat, but he is stull an incredible businessman.
Re: Ricochet 2011 Gift Guide
I got this book, Seth Godin's latest, "We Are All Weird," which is great. So far, anyway.
But I particularly like giving books that are both classic and funny, especially to young people. Anything by Wodehouse, and this book, Tomfoolery, are good for various ages.
And what husband wouldn't want one or two excellent cigars? Because with every cigar comes the promise -- and the necessity -- of two hours of solitude.