Originally Posted By pennyring Oh oh! Erik and I had Starbucks on Friday and toasted your generosity then too. (Peppermint mocha for me, venti hot chocolate for him.) Oh hey! Did your power go out on Sunday? We were at my Mom's -- she lives on 5th Street in Bremerton. We had to do presents by candlelight!
Originally Posted By MissCandice No, mine didnt but a lot of people's did. The hospital near me was on generators and they lost all their turkey dinners for the patients and had to serve soup and sandwiches.
Originally Posted By mickeymeg my not so useful present.... so my dad shows up for christmas (understnad that he has not spoken to me in about 3 years or shown any kind of fatherlyness at all) he sees me a few days before christmas as I am dropping my brother off at my mums place and he happens to be stopping by at the same time and he says something about my car being loud (its that kind of car...nothing wrong with it, it just happens to be a little loud)so at christmas he shows up with a $200 midas muffler gift certificate ... thinking he is superman or something... nice try but there is nothing wrong with the car... I just thought it was in bad form to show up and see me for 2 seconds then produce all kinds of money to fix a probelem that he assumed existed. Ok Rant over... thanks for listening =)
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Real Hallmark cards we need: "Dad, I haven't spoke to you in a few years but in the spirit of the season I want you to know I don't hate you and I'm trying to prove it with this card."
Originally Posted By Ursula <JBStew and I had a "moment" on Christmas morning. We both got a DVD of Sound of Music 40th Anniversary. (I bought her one, she bought me one!) Luckily, I kept the receipt!> This made me smile. The Husband and I have done this three times. Once, we gave each other the exact Valentine's Day Card (there are literally hundreds to choose from, too!), the exact same Christmas Card, and the exact same sit-on, plug-in back massager. I am pleased to announce that I did not get any clunkers this year and zero cash. I often get cash, so this was odd. (and I don't mind it, either!)
Originally Posted By hopemax Ursula, in the future just send the cash to me. I love cash! For me, this was the year of getting things I already had. I have an duplicate "whale of a punch" Mickey head, so if any LP scrapbookers would like to trade for it (I would like one of the other "whale of a punch" (I have the tag one)) email me at hmaxwell@gmail.com. DH got me duplicate WDW scrapbook paper, but I was able to exchange it for things that he couldn't find the day he went shopping. I also got a duplicate WDCC Alice In Wonderland Title. I haven't a clue what to do with it, unless someone would like to trade for it. And like usual, my in-laws gave me stuff more appropriate for DH. And they seemed a little on the "cheap" side. I feel bad to say things like that, because it's not too cool to complain about how much someone spent on you, but they say "it's the thought that counts," and the only thought that comes to mind is, "this is punishment for not coming home for Christmas" (we were at my parents.)
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost My Mom passed away on the 30th of November. A friend thought it would be nice to make a Christmas Tree ornament with my Mom's picture in it. Although I appreciate her thoughts, it just seemed wrong to hang a picture of my dead mother on the Christmas tree. Correct me if you think I'm wrong but I just cannot wrap my brain around it.
Originally Posted By melekalikimaka Memorial ornaments can be very nice but not if you're still in the first stages of grief. You might feel differently about the ornament in a year or so. Or maybe it will always be too painful for you. I'm sorry to hear that you lost your mother.
Originally Posted By trailsend Mele's right, Goofyernmost. You don't want it now, but, most probably, in a year or so, you might take it out and remember all the good Christmases you had together.
Originally Posted By retlawfan Goofyernmost-I have to agree with Mele & trails. As time goes on, you'll want to see little remembrances here and there once in a while. My mother passed away October 2004. Last Christmas was very difficult, and this year was a lot easier. When my siblings and I all got together(this year), we had a little impromptu moment together to remember Mom, and it was nice. A year ago it would have been a cry-fest. In fact, I got a gift this year that NOONE had ever given me before in my life, except for my Mom, and I about cried. It was a good feeling though. Almost like she(my Mom) just popped in to say Hi!. My thoughts are with you Goofyernmost. I know what you are going through. Now, back on topic a little. My siblings and I do a gift exchange for the adults. One couple gets to buy for another couple who buys for the third couple who buys for the 4th couple, and we rotate each year. Anyway, I got a Red Lobster gift card. Who can't use one of those! Then, I also got a bottle opener. I'm really not sure why, except that maybe they were over at my house once and I couldn't find ours? Anyway, I'm sure I'll use it at some point.
Originally Posted By retlawfan pennyring said: "It would ok if I collected cookie jars"... It sounds like you do pennyring(whether you want to or not)!
Originally Posted By chickendumpling Bad presents you say? DH got me a knife block one year. One of my very best g/fds had a brain freeze one year and bought my 5 yr old son sheets for Chrimbo. Sheets! Sheets. We all burst out laughing at her. Fast and furious teasing followed shortly. DS was such a trooper about it. I get socks every year from MIL so now it's just a running joke and she buys them for ALL of us in the whole family now. I've gotten loads of *I.O.U.s* from my uncle. Gotta love him. Every family has one right?
Originally Posted By Pixie Glitter Goofyernmost, although your friend was trying to do a thoughtful thing for you, I hope you don't feel obligated to hang the ornament on your tree. If it makes you unhappy or uncomfortable, tuck it away somewhere. You can always change your mind in future, but there's no way you should have to have it out on display if it makes you feel bad.
Originally Posted By -em Well the worst gifts of them all were: a book from Dylan's sister in law over something titled to the effect of "living a child free life and loving it..." Course his mom gave us a gift certificate to Babies R Us... in her words.. "Just in case" Yeah talk about adding insult to injury -em
Originally Posted By Mrs ElderP I'm sorry -em. I have to say that this year ElderP got me two GREAT gifts, a crossstick kit I've been eyeing everytime I go to Micheals and a pattern book for cute crocheted ponchos, but one clucker, a hooked rug kit that really isn't my thing. However, he happily let me exchange it, so now I have the best gift EVER! ($20 in Micheals store credit!)
Originally Posted By Stacers76 I got dried fruit. Not homemade or anything overly amazing, just the kind in a bag from Costco....go figure )
Originally Posted By poohbear14 <<<---I got another one of those micro fiber blankets and a beaded coin purse. From the same person that gave me a blanket and beaded coin purse last year. I guess she forgot she already gave me these last year.
