The great Christmas gift debate

I remember sitting on Santa’s lap whispering what toys I just had to have.  I still remember when my parents braved the madness to get cabbage patch dolls for me and my sister decades ago when they were HOT.

I remember carefully re-writing my Christmas lists because I always changed my mind over and over again.

Is it a wonder that Christmas evolved into my dad telling us what he wanted and getting us what we asked for in return?  This evolved to my sister and brother and I each getting the other exactly what the other asked for.  This became the norm for us as we grew older.

And then my husband came into the picture and then kid.  Each year we argue over the “way Christmas should be.” He argues that each person should purchase a thoughtful gift that they believe the recipient would enjoy and that asking what the other wants is cheating.

Each year I argue that this is how we do Christmas.  The kids tell “Santa” via his mall representative, Frizzl our elf on the shelf, or by writing their Dear Santa letters.  Why can’t the adults get exactly what they want too?  Even if it’s a stainless steel skillet or a vacuum.

This year Christmas snuck up on everyone (except my sister who buys gifts year round and saves them).  Dad had to unexpectedly buy a new water heater.  I had to get new carpet.  So Dad decided to agree to “small gifts,” except for the kids.

And I have to say that this Christmas was awesome!  The gift the kids have played with the most was not on either of their lists.  Yes, it’s loud and annoying (and has no volume control) but it is also fun.  I’ve picked it up a few times myself.  It’s a Multi Voice Changer by Toysmith: Change your voice with 8 different voice modifiers – Kids Toy (Colors May Vary).

My sister got the perfume she wanted but was obviously more delighted by these ThinkGeek – Zombie Plush Slippers (One size fits most) that my Hubs picked for her.

She also loved the mini key chain tape measure I snagged for her.  See, she has this problem with driving past thrift shops without stopping.  She just can’t do it.  Once inside she has to check out the furniture and she usually has a wishlist in her head that includes furniture of certain dimensions.  She turns these pieces into beautiful decor in her Charleston home.  Check out her Christmas tree.

I hope my brother in law enjoyed the kindle books (he likes zombies too) and remote release camera cord.The hubs chuckled at the funny tees I got him.  And my Dad got a kick out of this lunchbox. 
He loves spam.  I filled it with spam and a can of peas since he enjoys to eat them together.  True story.

I got the DSLR I have been drooling over for years but even better is my new laptop.  I didn’t even realize I wanted one.  (I got my first kindle from my husband when I was totally against replacing the comfortable weight of a real book in my hand a device.  Needless to say, I LOVE my kindle.  He was right.) The hubs’ reason for getting the laptop for me was that it would make it much easier for me to write and work on my blog!  The absolute best present I received this year was the knowledge that my husband has confidence in my writing and completely supports my blog.  That kind of love and support are PRICELESS.

So I guess that means I lost the great Christmas gift debate.  The hubs is right.  Christmas is much more fun when the gift you open is not the blah blah you asked for (and sometimes even provide the link to!) but something fun and thoughtful.  2013 was the best Christmas ever.  Even if I had to dodge low flying remote control helicopters and a crashing flutterbye.

What side of the debate are you on?  What awesome gifts did you receive this year?