Gifts So Far
Oops! On Tuesday I said I would be back “tomorrow” with Christmas gifts, and it just didn’t happen. The day got so crazy, but all good things, including the Winter Jazz Band concert at our high school. I’ve seen this concert for so many years (first with my son, and now with Angie) and afterwards I couldn’t help lamenting that I only have one more. Sob! If you stick around reading this blog for another year, just know that I am going to be a MESS. Anyway! This is definitely not a gift guide- I don’t have enough ideas for something like that. But I’m pretty happy with the things I’ve gotten so far. Starting with my son’s birthday (yes. BOTH my kids have December birthdays, WHAT WAS I THINKING). After living his whole life until now in Florida and Texas, Paul is realizing that WINTERS UP NORTH ARE COLD. He requested these Bombas socks. Wow, they are expensive (which is why they’re a good gift- if they were cheap he would just buy them for himself) but I took advantage of the Black Friday 25% off sale. I also got him this chocolate passport from Trader Joe’s: Other than that, we’ll go out for a nice birthday dinner and he says he’s happy with that. For Christmas he’s asking for some mundane things like razor blades, but he’ll also have a few surprises under the tree. I was going to get him an Aura frame, but then I found this very similar product for almost $100 less (again, with a Black Friday deal). Now- I did get this on Amazon. Whenever possible, I’m avoiding Amazon but I couldn’t pass up the chance to save the money. This is a digital photo frame that can be loaded with hundreds of photos- I can send him photos and so can his girlfriend, and they’ll show up in his frame. I think he’ll like it! For my daughter: the hippo plushie has arrived! Also a blank comic book- she and her friend enjoy making snarky comics about their classmates (wait- should I be encouraging this?) I’m still planning to get her the sticker printer, but haven’t chosen one. They really vary in price! I don’t want a super expensive one, but I also don’t want one that just prints black and white. The pebble ice maker is still on my list (although that may be a birthday present). I’m also still waiting for her requests, which will probably include some clothes and makeup. My husband has requested books (all obscure biographies of jazz musicians). I’m also getting him a water bottle so he’ll stop stealing mine (let’s not get into that) and a new coffee mug. For myself- I have loaded my cart at AbeBooks! Here is what I want: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes The Flanders Panel by Arturo Perez-Reverte The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen An Immense World by Ed Yong The Night She Died by Dorothy Simpson Have you read any of these? Do you have any great gift ideas this year? Top photo by Kostiantyn Li on Unsplash