I thought I’d share with you some of the most original ideas under our tree this year:
First, the drawstring bags that mom decorated for the girls with their photos, and images of all of the things that they love (their names are on them too, but I covered them to maintain the illusion of privacy that I convince myself we have). “Frannie” and “Maggie” adore their new bags!
My talented, woodworking father loves to take signs and turn them into cabinets. My sister-in-law and I each got this beautiful Paris design, which opens up to hold jewelery (and thankfully came with installation included!)
My favourite gift (besides my family, friends, health, home, job, readers who never judge me for my moments of consumerism because they know I’m about so much more than that) came in this little box:
It wasn’t exactly jewelery, but a beautiful silver key ring, which was exactly what I asked for. Fancy jewelery is for special occasions…my keys I use every single day! See how it was a really practical gift? (Tiffany = practical, isn’t that what everyone says?)
One of hubby’s best gifts was a docking station for his iPod, and the reason I mention it here is because we were pleased to learn that there is an adapter (shown in front of the device) which will work with the new iPods and other i items, which have a much smaller charging spot. It’s helpful to know that if you think two things are incompatible…there’s always a way to make them work! Am I in a cheesy mood or what?
Most of the girls’ gifts came straight from the North Pole via Walmart (dolls continue to be a theme) but one of the presents six year old Frannie is most excited about is the gift card for 25 prints from a photo store. So what if I I got it with my new camera; she doesn’t need to know that. She just knows that she can now choose 25 of the four thousand pictures she has taken on my old camera and get them developed. Woo hoo! They also loved things like Cineplex gift certificates, because now we “have to” take them to the movies (which doesn’t bother me at all, though I think the last time hubby attended a children’s film he said something about preferring to poke a fork in his eye…) and were thrilled that their aunt and uncle didn’t quite make it to Build A Bear and instead gave them cash to go and purchase new outfits for their bears.
In all seriousness, unwrappable gifts aside, I know very well how lucky I am for all of the blessings in my life. I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions, but I intend to remind myself regularly how much I have to be grateful for, and do what I can to share some of my “gifts” with others.
Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy and blessed 2013.
Very nice gifts! I like the idea of the personalized gift bags. A very unique gift idea.