Tick tick tick – send Christmas ideas, quick!

There’s an old song by Nancy White called, “It’s Chic to be Pregnant at Christmas.” A few of the best verses:

It’s so chic to be pregnant at Christmas
I feel like the “round yon virgin” of yore
‘Cause though I have a warm bed to sleep in
There’s no room for me when I go to the store

‘Cause the aisles are so narrow and crowded
Christmas shopping has never been such a pain
(gasp) Here comes another Braxton-Hicks contraction
And I’m knockin’ over knick-knacks again

Oh, the salesclerks are so friendly this Christmas
One said, “Oh God, lady, don’t have it here”
Their discretion and manners go right out the door
When I and my stomach appear

It’s so Biblical to be pregnant at Christmas
No matter what stories you believe
And I may suffer from gravid senilis…and heartburn and nausea and charlie horses and overwhelming fatigue…and frequent micturation and varicose veins and…swollen ankles and shortness…of breath…and that…tired, achy feeling in the grooooooin…
But I won’t be alone on New Year’s Eve
Fa-La-La-La-La La-La La La

Yeah. What she said.

I’ve got about half my Christmas shopping done. The good half. The “oh, what a great idea, it’s the absolute perfect gift for so-and-so, I can hardly wait to see his/her face!” Now comes the agonizing, clock-ticking, “I’ve got no friggin’ clue what to get for so-and-so and so I’ll just keep throwing money at it until I feel better about my choices” part of the shopping.

I know I make it hard on myself. I take my Christmas gift-giving very seriously. Each gift is carefully chosen based on an offhand remark from some time in the past 360 days, or a known favourite theme, or by divination, ESP and intuition. Gifts are balanced so that everybody gets a more or less proportionally appropriate gift value. I rarely give a gift I wouldn’t like to receive. In short, I drive myself CRAZY every year over Christmas shopping.

This is almost entirely my mother’s fault. (Sorry, Mom.) She has a knack for the perfect gift, and I have learned a lot from her. Mostly about excess, but also about how gift giving really is a covenant between two people. It’s an acknowledgement of how that person has touched your life, made a difference, been a friend.

No pressure or anything. Ugh.

I like personalized gifts. We make a photo calendar each year, and have given photo mouse pads, coffee mugs and jigsaw puzzles. The boys are *almost* at an age where we can start substituting my handcrafted gifts for theirs (just in the nick of time, too – what’s cute from a six year old is a little odd from a thirty-something woman, and I’m running out of macaroni and glitter.)

I’m past the Christmas shipping deadline for online shopping and I still need ideas. Don’t make me go out there and aimlessly wander the malls – I need some inspiration! What is the best gift you ever got? What is your favourite gift to give?

Author: DaniGirl

Canadian. storyteller, photographer, mom to 3. Professional dilettante.

17 thoughts on “Tick tick tick – send Christmas ideas, quick!”

  1. Oh god, Nancy White! “Leonard Cohen’s Never Gonna Bring My Groceries In” makes me giggle uncontrollably.

    Wait, did you need help on Christmas shopping? Er. Sorry, I’ve got nothing for you.

  2. I got an email from Chapters yesterday that said they’ll still deliver for Christmas, which would work if you don’t need to send along. My best gift ever was a jar of Cheez Whiz when we were too broke to afford it. I don’t imagine you have anyone on your list who is a student, though. Now that I have so much stuff, I appreciate donations, consumables and experiences. How about trinkets plus donations for people – egg cups and a donation to World Vision of a rooster and chickens or a baby in a snowsuit and a donation to the Snowsuit Fund. Pass the Torch (http://2passthetorch.com/2007/12/11/best-teacher-gift-chai-tea/) posted a gift-in-a-jar recipe for chai tea that might work. Otherwise how about gift certificates to local museums. (They could be gifts that give twice if you can get yourself invited along ;+)

  3. Best gift ever – A tie between an Atari 2600 (I mean, Space Invaders came with it!!…and 2 joysticks!!!) and the Automatic QB…a machine which threw footballs to kids with no friends. I mean, I had friends, just they weren’t around all the time….I was 10 and a skinny short kid, gimme a break!

    Best Gift to Give – Every one is so unique, the best ones are always the ones I am as excited to give as I think they will be to get it. The ones that, first thing Christmas morning, you sit and barely breathing, almost shaking with anticipation, mutter to yourself ‘Pick mine, pick mine, pick mine….’. That, and if its something I can use after like when I gave my wife that 18volt cordless drill.

  4. I know what you mean…my problem is not finding present, it when to stop buying! I mean, I already have about 6 presents, large and small, for my mum, since I keep seeing stuff that would be perfect for her!
    Best gift I ever got? From mum of course.
    21st birthday, I woke up and found the dining room table covered in 21 bottles of champagne, each one bearing a ribbon with 21 euros tied to it.
    Booze and cash…it doesn’t get any better than that!
    Oh wait though. Last summer, Nico came to visit me in Paris, and brought Ottawa Bagelshop bagels, Kraft Dinner, and two-bite brownies. All my favourite stuff you can’t get there!

  5. The best gifts I’ve received ? Hmm. My in-laws gave me a great espresso machine last Christmas. This is the truly gift that keeps on giving! (She says as she takes a sip of her latte.)

    It’s tough to make suggestions, because everyone is so different.

    Me: I’m short on good reading material and would love a new stack of books. I could also really use a carrycase for my MP3 player because I bring it to the gym every day and tucking it behind the waistband of my pants just isn’t cutting it anymore. 🙂

    I also have a real passion for nice socks, especially knee highs.

    But this isn’t supposed to be about me, is it?

    I think MANY people would enjoy a magazine subscription, a really good cookbook, a great bottle of booze, or a gift certificate to their favourite restaurant.

    … but then again it depends on who you’re buying for, right?

  6. The Papery has some gorgeous journals and notebooks. One particular brand is the same kind that the likes of Picasso and da Vinci and other greats used. Pair with some pretty pencils or pens, and you have a gift that will be useful and (hopefully) treasured.

  7. I love making photo albums from http://www.shutterfly.com – they are great!

    Dani, I thought you’d like this website: http://momsspeakup.com/ it talks about issues like the whole insane dangerous plastics issue… and toy recalls, etc.

    Speaking of plastics, have you written a post about the topic yet? I think you should! Here is a post on the topic from http://www.mom-101.com Very scary considering my son has been using the Avent bottles for 2 years now… and now with a newborn 3 weeks away… I am torn!

    http://mom-101.blogspot.com/2007/09/plastic-bubble-has-burst-or-why-7-is.html#links

  8. The men in my life all seem very pleased with any type of flashlight. Maglites are a hit, along with LED flashlights.

    Lego is popular with young and older. (I ALWAYS loved my Lego.)

    The adults in my life have to settle for baked / homemade goodies. They all prefer consumables over things they need to store.

  9. I think the perfect Christmas for my son would be..

    hmmmm…

    thinking…

    wondering…

    dreaming…

    yeah right! the one my son was dreaming.. about lately..

    I think I will gift a bicycle….

    thanks for reminding dear..

  10. Hey, I was at Walmart today shopping for my office Angel tree and they have a Cranium Memory game on for $5, $5 (it just begged to be repeated!). I was at the South Keys one (I work in the south), but i am sure they have them at all the stores.

  11. I love gift cards, as in the video store, Chapters, the cinema . One great gift from my daughter one year was a bag of M&Ms for my husband, a bag of Goodies for me plus a certificate for a movie.

  12. Gee tough one. (As she prepares to hit the malls and not come back till she is DONE… Finished)

    Cd’s are a favorite for me. I love music but hardly everbuy it. SO I love it when people take my Cd list adn get me a few… So if your buying for me it’s Small Miracles from Blue Rodeo, Kalan Porters new one.. I want some Colin James too… Oh and how about Nickleback (they are on the radio right now and I love that one Everyone cares)

    Movies… I love to watch good movies over and over. And Movie Vochers.

    Christmas Ordiments…Love LOVE getting those…orginal ones

    Gift cards to Chapters…LOVE to spend a day there with a Caramel Corretto. HEAVEN!

    That’s all I can think of.
    😉

    Hugs

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