A Perfect
Gift.
by Regina Pickett Garson
As the holiday season
swings into overdrive, many of us agonize one more time over the perfect holiday
gift for our loved ones. No matter the budget, no matter the list, the agonizing
is a yearly ritual. One of my kids early preschool teachers had the best gift
idea of all. She said no matter what else you give them, be sure to give your
kids some memories. When you get down to it, memories are one of the very few
things that you can count on lasting.
I still think about that
bit of advice as I reminisce about the best Christmas ever when my own children
were small. In the classic family tradition, they were all snug in their beds. I
had just finished my holiday cleaning. Every decoration was perfect, all the
gifts were neatly wrapped and truth be known, Santa had already stopped by.
Then, as fate would have
it, the dog needed to go outside. I was unaware it was even raining until he
trotted back in through the kitchen, leaving a tell-tale trail of muddy paw
prints across my fresh shinning floor. I stared in disbelief at the muddy paw
prints. They led right up to the table where Santas treats were still waiting.
And then, in a flash, I grabbed a bowl, trotted right out into the rain and
scooped up my own batch of newly-minted mud.
I pondered momentarily,
wondering exactly what a reindeers footprints looked like. Then I realized that
since no one in my family had ever seen them either, the only thing that really
mattered was that they had to be different from those of the dog. I started the
tracks at the door, and planted muddy little three-toed paw prints right beside
the dog prints. I went all the way up to the kitchen table, and then back to the
door again.
Then I took out a piece of
paper and wrote:
I am so sorry, but Rudolph
saw the snacks on the table and he came in behind me tracking mud all over the
place. I am very sorry for the mess.
Merry Christmas,
Love Santa
P.S. Thanks for the snacks.
Then I took a few really
good bites out of some carrots and placed the stems on the plate next to what
now remained of Santas cookies.
Of course, the kids found
the note and the muddy reindeer mess before I got up. They rushed in to wake me
up and tell me what Rudolph had done and for me to please not be mad at him for
messing up my clean floor. Santa was really sorry. He even left a note.
What were the gifts that
Christmas? I no longer have a clue. But ask the kids about the time Rudolph got
loose in the house and tracked mud all over the kitchen. They will tell you and
I still remember their faces and the excitement over the misadventures of Santas
errant reindeer. Theyll never forget and I wont either.
Christmas was suddenly
alive, it was real and the magic lived. Years later they asked me about that
event and how it came about. A mom tracking mud over her own freshly-mopped
floor never occurred to them. And so they believed. If there had ever been a
shred of doubt in their minds, it vanished and Christmas was born once again.
You can never know when
your magic moment might come. Our best ever was Rudolphs muddy mess. Everyone
has a similar story, and if they dont they most certainly should. My mom told me
that when she was a child all snug in her own bed, late one Christmas Eve, she
heard sleigh bells in the darkness outside her window. She too believed. If you
ask her about it today, she will tell you about those bells of yesteryear as if
it were only last night.
This year, if you can, just
for a moment, put the holiday frenzy on the back burner where it belongs. Its
Christmas. Give the most enduring gift of all. Keep the magic alive. Give a
memory.
Copyright 2005 Regina
Pickett Garson
Regina Pickett Garson edits
and publishes Magic Stream,
http://www.magicstream.org -- which is among the earliest online self-help
and wellness resources. She teaches at Virginia College in Huntsville, Alabama.
Choosing
The Right Gift.
by Bonnie Jo Davis
Although there are many
variables to choosing the right gift for the woman in your life some rules
always apply. Following are some basic tips to help you through the murky waters
of choosing a gift.
Pay attention. Take a good look at the home decor of the woman who will receive
your gift. Does she decorate with angels, candles, family pictures, posters or
art. The items a woman chooses for her home will give many clues as to what she
would enjoy receiving.
Ask questions. It never hurts to ask a woman what she enjoys receiving as a
gift. Ask her to describe her most favorite gift. Ask her to tell you what she
enjoys giving as a gift. This often will be the thing that she enjoys receiving
as well. Encourage an open dialogue about gift giving and listen to the clues
she is giving you.
Don't take the easy way out. Don't just send a dozen flowers or a box of
chocolates and expect an overwhelming response. Women love to receive gifts that
are meaningful and matched to their interest. If you do send flowers (and
sometimes you should) add on a special teddy bear, picture frame or balloons to
make the gift more personal.
Avoid candy or fitness related items. Don't give candy unless it comes with
another gift such as flowers or as part of a gift basket. That way the woman can
give away the candy and still enjoy the gifts that came with it. Too many of us
are watching our weight and avoiding fatty and sugary foods. Fitness equipment
gifts may be considered an insult as though you are criticizing the woman's
weight. Don't think you're being helpful by giving such a gift - it will
backfire on you!
Don't buy a gift that you like or want and give it to someone else. This trick
will not work on any woman with half a brain! Many years ago I had a committed
relationship with a boyfriend that never, and I mean never, bought me a gift.
One year he excitedly told me he had bought tickets to a concert for my
birthday! I was surprised and pleased until he announced that he bought tickets
to a Pink Floyd concert. I listened to Madonna and Michael Jackson at the time
not classic rock. Needless to say, out of politeness I pretended to be happy and
excited and went to the concert and had a good time. Giving a gift to someone
that is something you like or want is selfish and sure to cause serious
repercussions in your relationship. Don't do it.
If in doubt give a gift certificate. Many on-line stores offer gift certificates
that are convenient and easy to redeem. It may seem like a gift certificate is
the easy way out but it isn't. If you purchase a gift certificate from a store
that offers gifts interesting to the woman in your life then you are doing her a
huge favor. Not only will she get a great gift that interests her but she can
choose something that she will actually use and enjoy!
Make your gift giving successful by taking the time to learn about the women in
your life and to appreciate them for their unique gifts. Women love to receive
gifts and will reciprocate in kind. Don't wait for a birthday or other special
occasion. Give gifts frequently and unexpectedly and you will be surprised by
the response you receive!
Bonnie Jo Davis is also
known as "The Gift Guru" by her friends and family. She has many years of
experience shopping and preparing gifts for giving which has led her to create
the new web site Gift Ideas For Women. Visit
www.Gift-Ideas-For-Women.com today for free articles and gift selection and
wrapping guides.
Inexpensive
Christmas Gift Ideas.
by Rick Chapo
The holidays are quickly
approaching, which means its time to buy gifts. If youre a little light on
funds, following are ideas for inexpensive Christmas gifts.
Inexpensive Christmas Gift Ideas
It is easy to blow your budget
and run up credit cards when shopping for Christmas gifts. To avoid this, heres
a list of inexpensive Christmas gift ideas.
Inexpensive Christmas Gift Ideas
Just because you arent "bucks up"
during the holidays, it doesnt mean you cant give great Christmas gifts. Here
are just a few inexpensive Christmas gift ideas. If youre interested in seeing
them, just search for the given name on your search engine of choice.
1. One Head Bar Butler - This
swanky device is a great gift for people with bars in their homes or at least
bottles of booze! The Bar Butler mounts on a wall or table and holds a bottle
upside down. The bottle fits into a simply tap system. Turn on the tap and it
will dispense exactly 1.5 ounces of the beverage of choice. Great for adults and
college students! The One Head Bar Butler can be found online for as low as
$14.99 and is a one of a kind gift.
2. Solar Sunflower Stake - A
really good gift for homeowners, the Solar Sunflower Stake goes in the yard in
whatever strategic position you wish. During the day, it appears as a small set
of sunflowers. As evening sets, the sunflowers light up using solar power
charges accumulated from the sun hitting the leaves during the day. Costing as
low as $14.99, this is one of the top notch inexpensive Christmas gift ideas.
3. Slam Dunk Hamper - A great
gift for parents to give kids. Parents want kids to keep their room clean. Kids,
of course, couldnt care less. To work out this long running war between the two,
the Slam Dunk Hamper has been developed by the United Nations. Just kidding, but
it does make both kids and parents happy. The Slam Dunk Hamper hangs from the
back of a bedroom door. Kids roll up and shoot their dirty clothes into the
hamper. You just pull it off the wall when it is time to do laundry. Another
inexpensive Christmas gift idea, the hamper will run you a whopping $9.99
online.
4. Nomad Writing Journals - If
youre buying for a person that loves the outdoors or to travel, Nomad Writing
Journals make great gifts. These journals are tailored to activities such as
travel, fly fishing, bird watching, backpacking, camping, rock climbing and so
on. They come with or without a case and provide writing space as well as cues
for writing down important information. A great keepsake for family members to
preserve their travel and outdoor experiences. The journals cost as low as $9
without waterproof case and $25 with case.
When youre low on funds during
the holidays, the secret is to buy unique things for people. Hopefully, the
above list will give you a head start on inexpensive Christmas gift ideas for
2005.
Rick Chapo is with
http://www.nomadjournals.com -
makers of writing journals for travel and outdoor activities. Writing journals
make great Christmas gifts for him or her.
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