Lately I’ve been listening to a podcast called Christmas Countdown. At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about it- it’s sponsored by Hallmark and I’m not a big Hallmark fan- but it grew on me. Driving around while listening to the recent “Top 5 Christmas Smells” and “Top 5 Christmas Sounds” episodes put me in a festive mood.
In addition to the countdowns, the hosts play games like “This or That?” Gift bags or wrapping paper? (wrapping paper definitely, although gift bags have their time and place.) Skating or sledding? (neither in Florida, but if I had to choose, sledding- because I’m less likely to break multiple bones.) Ham or Turkey? (neither- our Christmas dinner is lasagna.)
Anyway, today at work my manager asked me if I wanted to put my name in for the “grab-bag present.” Thinking it was a Secret Santa situation, I said yes- but then I found out we’re supposed to get a generic gift, and then we’ll each pick one. Arg. That means I have to get a gift that would be appropriate for any of my coworkers, and that includes twenty-year-old women and sixty-year-old men. I was baffled… until I listened to the latest episode of Christmas Countdown.
One of the hosts (I’ll admit I still can’t tell them apart) was talking about his recent trip to Marshalls. He said he had a list of things to get but was waylaid at the “random doohickey” display, which he described as an amazing assortment of gadgets that would be especially perfect for gift exchanges where the price range is $20-$25. AHA! I know where I’ll be heading to find my grab-bag gift.
On the subject of work… remember this?
I decided to give it one more try, and applied it today before going to work. Nope- same sweet, sickening smell. When I got to work I was talking to my manager (about the grab-bag, actually) when he got a strange look on his face. And then he said “What’s that smell?” I knew exactly what he was smelling, but I didn’t want to admit I was wearing “spiked eggnog” deodorant. Luckily one of my coworkers said “I used coconut body wash… do you think that’s it?” He looked uncertain but said “Well… maybe.” Ha ha… no, it wasn’t coconut… it was eggnog. That’s it- I’m throwing that deodorant away.
So if you’ve been reading for a while you’ve probably heard me complain about our weather- specifically, that we haven’t had any cooldowns yet this year. Lately it’s been getting down to 60s at night but it’s still humid AF. I’ve been waiting impatiently for that first cold, refreshing blast of air from the north… well, look at THIS:
42 degrees on Christmas Day????? That would be a Christmas miracle! I told my son I’ll believe it when it actually happens, because we’ve had similar forecasts that never came true. My son said, “Well, if it does get down to 40 on Christmas, we’ll go crazy!’ I’m not exactly sure what “going crazy” would entail- opening the windows? Building a bonfire in the backyard?
Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion- will it really get down to the 40s? What will we do to celebrate? And- will I find the perfect grab-bag gift at the Marshall’s doohickey table? We’ll find out soon.
21 Responses
Hmmm…a random gift that might be for 20- to 60-year-olds of both sexes is a real conundrum. I’d be tempted to put in a nice journal and pen, a rechargeable handwarmer (although I guess that’s not appropriate in Florida – ha!), a portable power bank or some kitchen gadgets (everyone needs new kitchen towels or oven mitts, right?). That is a real challenge! I’m realizing now that a lot of my go-to gifts have to do with keeping people warm, like blankets and hats and gloves and things that people who live in cold climates can never have enough of! I’m curious as to what you decide.
Yes, that’s the problem with Florida- most of those things you mention won’t work. But kitchen gadgets might be good, and the journal and pen are a possibility as well. I’m also curious to see what I decide!
I’m not exactly sure what “going crazy” would entail- opening the windows? Building a bonfire in the backyard?
This made me laugh! We’re looking at a potential snowstorm on Christmas Eve, so our windows will be CLOSED.
My thought is anything that naturally fits into wrapping paper easily (a square or rectangle) will get wrapping paper, the rest is gift bags. I’d say even still the majority of gifts are in wrapping paper and I 100% prefer the aesthetic and excitement of wrapping paper. But I love the convenience of gift bags and they’re also so much easier to clean up after.
Generic gifts are hard! A nice bag of coffee? Artisanal chocolates. I’m sure whatever you give will be most appreciated – unless it’s Spiked Egg Nog deodrant…
Ha ha… too bad I can’t re-gift that deodorant.
I like gift bags or practical reasons- like I just gave my daughter’s flute teacher a gift card and some homemade cookies. Everything git nicely in a small gift bag and it was easy for her to carry. To me, that’s a perfect use of a gift bag.
Wow, it is like minus 40 here, but supposed to warm up for Christmas, so that will be nice.
I think chocolates or something like that would be a good gift, appropriate for all ages!
Well, I really should have read these comments BEFORE I went shopping. I really struggled… but in the end I have a gift (of questionable merit.)
LOL on the egg nog smell!!
We do a grab bag with my tennis friends… it’s always a challenge to find a gift (at least it’s all older women).
Do you think you will get snow?
Out forecast is for rain and 50 on Friday and 10 on Sat!! Snow will be gone and replaced by ice… BOO!
Yes, the grab bag would have been easier if I could have at LEAST narrowed it down to either a man or woman. Sheesh.
Nope- we won’t get snow. But if we really do get down to the 40s it will be incredible.
i’ll be interested to hear how you manage your running with that kind of weather! You always get it done somehow.
It’s going to be crazy cold here this week. Like -45F with the windchill. It’s horrid! I will be going crazy for a different reason as of course the bad weather coincides with our kids being out of school! We are working while watching them so it’s not like we can take them to the library or a museum to entertain them! They did get some presents from my parents last week so we’ll have to let them start playing with them. We’ve kind of distracted them from the new gifts as we like to put some of what they get away to pull out later in the year. And after being gone for 7+ days they had missed their toys at home so we haven’t HAD to introduce anything new.
I giggled about your manager smelling your deodorant!! hee hee.
Man, the gift exchange is tough. I’d be inclined to put some sweets and a Target giftcard in the bag. Or just a target gift card? Or a puzzle?
Yes, that is very hard for you! And -45… I remember those days. Blech.
Maybe I should have gone with a Target gift card… I did a different gift card. I did think about a puzzle, but didn’t end up getting one.
Hey if it can get down to 42 maybe it will go low enough to get you a white Christmas. The good news is that we’re getting snow, the bad news is that we’re getting zero degrees along with it.
Nope, we’ll never have a white Christmas. The last time it snowed down here was in the 70s, and the “experts” say it won’t happen again, due to various factors I don’t understand. It won’t get cold enough- but I’ll take 42!
I once read somewhere that the perfect gift for an unknown Secret Santa was something that lit up. I’m going to hold that one close. I saw a shirt this year that said, “Worst Secret Santa Present Ever.” I thought that was pretty hilarious. I think my husband actually bought that for his recipient.
Would it get down to 42 during the day? Or is this an after sundown event? I feel like here even if it’s in the mid-30s it doesn’t feel that cold when the sun is out. Maybe you should all get funny winter hats and wear them in celebration of cooler weather?
Oh, I wish I could have gotten that shirt! I may have to get it next year.
Usually when it gets cold it’s only overnight, then the sun comes out and heats everything up. But this time it’s 40s and cloudy/windy all day, and we won’t even get up to 50 degrees! That’s unheard of for us.
Man, I wish it was going to be in the 40s here on Christmas Day! We’re looking at temps in the single digits tonight as this crazy winter storm passes through. Memphis never gets that cold, and I’m scared! Not of snow or ice but cold. Hope you have a great holiday!!
Thank you Bianca! Yes… that’s cold for anyone, but especially for a semi-southern place like Memphis. Good luck with it!
We got down to the low 30s on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and that was really wild! I woke up on Christmas Eve to a “feels like” of 25 degrees. I was hoping it would snow 😉 It was nice to have some cold weather, though! I did have to text a friend who lives in Chicago and ask her what I should set my heat at to keep the cats comfortable, since I would be gone on Christmas Eve night and it was supposed to be in the low 30s overnight. Things I don’t usually have to worry about! Ha.
Intrigued by the generic grab-bag gift exchange. A Secret Santa would have been much better!
Yes, it was definitely cold enough for snow where you are- too bad you didn’t get any. Funny story- we had our heat on Christmas Day but then the next day it stopped working, ack! It wasn’t terrible, just a little uncomfortable. We had someone come out to look at it and they made sure the AC unit still worked and told us “don’t use the heat!” Okay, okay… shouldn’t be a problem since by the weekend it’ll be 80 again.
Oh man, shopping a generic gift? That’s really a conundrum.. I hope to find out in one of your later posts (sorry, I am catching up… AGAIN!) what you picked out.
I had to chuckle about the deodorant. I use the vanilla-coconut Native deodorant and I love it, but yeah, eggnog? Probably not a good smell on people 😉
OThis deodorant is really weird. Why would you want your armpits smell like egg nog. Sometimes I am wondering why companies come up with this stuff.
Yes, I can’t imagine anyone who would like it!