If you were to look back through my December posts of years past, I’m pretty certain that you will find a post or two on the topic of Christmas wish lists. It has been my strong opinion that these lists only serve in taking the personal touch out of gift giving.
Let me illustrate. Let’s say that you give me a shopping list of things you need or simply want. I buy one or all of the things on your list, wrap them up and put a pretty bow on them. On Christmas Eve or morning (depending on household traditions) you unwrap this gift, acknowledge that it was one of the items on your list, and move on. There’s no surprise or feeling of wow, she really gave this some thought.
In my option, it’s no different than picking up toilet paper and milk at the store — because they were on the list. Why not simply leave money on the counter and let you get it yourself?
Well, the notion of this self-serve Christmas leaves me with a bah-humbug feeling. It’s just no good for me. And yet…
There are only 2 weeks until Christmas morn and I have only a few gifts purchased. Furthermore, I have no clue what to get anyone. I mean NO CLUE.
Take BoBo for instance. He’s entering basic training on January 4th. Do I really want to buy him a bunch of things that he can’t possibly take with him or use for 4 years? No! But what can he take. I’ve no clue, nor do I want to email the Sgt. and ask. Although that thought obviously crossed my mind. I can see it now: “1,000 pushups for the boy whose mommy emailed me for Christmas ideas.” Nope. I’m not going to make that mistake. I’m still rebuilding our relationship; I’m about to mess it up with something like that. I’d rather miss on my gift-giving choices.
Then, there are DD, YaYa, and this wonderful man that I’ve been spending a lot of time with. I thought that each, with all their individuality, would provide me with a vast expanse if ideas merely through being around them. But no. That notion was a facade.
I do not want to resort to the self serve Christmas. Oh, but I need help.
BoBo will be needing a good pair of running shoes… fer sure…
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080101110822AA41WWK
Looks like PHONE CARD (cell phones locked up during basic) is the number one suggestion. Nice journal, address book, letter writing materials were also on there. “Footcare” was mentioned at another source. Maybe powders and really good socks? Another suggestion at another source was to line up people to write letters; I guess mail call is a HUGE deal, and getting a letter every (or most) days is a real treat.
Sounds like basic is pretty locked down, but there’s more options once they get past those first 9 weeks.
Good luck, and I’m thinking you should print out this post and put it in an envelope for him; the fact that you’ve thought so much about this is pretty much the sweetest gift.
xoxo
Mia
Oh wow am I with you on the list thing. Got a “list” from my daughter the other day. Unsolicited. Ha! She is in for a surprise. Unfortunately I find myself stuck with respect to my son. Less than two weeks to go. Tick-tock, tick-tock, …
Apart from the 1000 pushups, the journal and/or writing materials sounds like a good idea.
I sometimes ask their friends for ideas based on what they observe or do together.