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Even I can't be a scrooge
Dec. 25th, 2008 03:44 pmI like giving gifts more than getting them, and this year I made some good calls for people, I think. Which made it worth it. Especially for my family, who I managed to arrange for one thing handmade in addition to a couple little things bought. I'm particularly proud of the memory shadowbox I did for my dad--since grandma passed away, he hasn't really talked about her, so a shadowbox with some of her things and a picture when she was younger seemed appropriate. I think I managed to actually choke him up a little, which is hard. In the good way, of course! Mom got a bag so she doesn't damage her camera (is it sad that I'm wicked proud of the sewing job I did on it?), and some earrings since she's been dropping hints that she wanted some of my handmade jewelry fiddlings. And Missy got some Anderson's Fairytales and Sinatra movies (apparently she's a fan, The Favorite Aunt also got her a Sinatra movie, thankfully not from the set I got her). Her handmade gift isn't being made by me and is coming later. ^^ I've only got two hands.
My dad and I are the last minute types. The both of us took a trip downtown while Missy and Mom were cooking--not that we don't want to help, but we've always been the types that get in the way more than actually help, and tend to get shooed out anyway. Christmas Eve is basically the perfect time to check out the little local shops. It's not crowded, but if it is, it's full of very nice and happy people. You can go at a leisurely pace and pick up some rather unusual things on the cheap. For the three members of my immediate family (and something for my girlfriend and a CD I've been trying to track down FOREVER for myself) I managed to stay under $50. I wouldn't suggest doing this for people you don't know as well as I do my family, but it's worth a gamble once in a while. Also, this Christmas Eve was delightfully warm; rainy, but warm. And the rain stopped once Dad and I got out of the car to walk around. It was like fate or something.
I got some lovely things this year--lovely and USEFUL. Not that I dislike frippery (it's obvious I've got a thing for certain fripperies) but my favorite things have always been the most useful. This year's top gift of awesome?
A rice cooker.
No, seriously. I live in a dorm, and they're not only an approved appliance, they're like... wicked useful. While I've gotten quite skillful at microwave cuisine, I've rather missed things like rice and noodles that don't stick together if prepared wrong. A rice cooker means variety in my cheap food high starch diet! Yay, one more thing to start my fully independent life!
My sister got a DS Lite. XD Mostly for the cooking game thing. Also, the fact that she's the A student in the family. The parents are afraid to get me "distracting things". Since I haven't looked at my grades yet, nor want to yet, I'm thinking they're probably wise to hold back on that. I'll take the rice cooker and be glad. I'll prolly make a bag for it for her, since I'm liking working with my sewing skillz.
I haven't finished sending out all the cards I intended on, since I got sick on Tuesday and have been battling congestion since then. So if you get a card sometime later, sorry. And thank you people for the cards I've gotten; I didn't do one of those "hey let's exchange cards!" things because I didn't think about it, and I didn't know whether or not I'd have time. So I figured not promising anything would keep people from being disappointed. XD At the very least, I'll finish up the EPs before the New Year, since that IS something I could promise without too much trouble. Got some packages to send too--my parents found something for a friend of mine from earlier in college (who now works at Blue Sky, the dudes that did the Ice Age movies, among others) that I have to send out. I've got such a full address book now! I just realized that. Wow, I've met so many people in such a short time. It's kind of awesome.
I hope you all had a good time, even if it was stressful.
~Cendri
P.S. Yuletide Santa(s): Oh, thank you so much for the multiple stories! I was worried my prompts were too general, but it seems that keeping it general gave me some great variety! I loved reading such interesting and fun stuff, from new and older fandoms alike. <3
P.P.S. Some pictures later. Since I have awesome things to take pictures of around the house.
My dad and I are the last minute types. The both of us took a trip downtown while Missy and Mom were cooking--not that we don't want to help, but we've always been the types that get in the way more than actually help, and tend to get shooed out anyway. Christmas Eve is basically the perfect time to check out the little local shops. It's not crowded, but if it is, it's full of very nice and happy people. You can go at a leisurely pace and pick up some rather unusual things on the cheap. For the three members of my immediate family (and something for my girlfriend and a CD I've been trying to track down FOREVER for myself) I managed to stay under $50. I wouldn't suggest doing this for people you don't know as well as I do my family, but it's worth a gamble once in a while. Also, this Christmas Eve was delightfully warm; rainy, but warm. And the rain stopped once Dad and I got out of the car to walk around. It was like fate or something.
I got some lovely things this year--lovely and USEFUL. Not that I dislike frippery (it's obvious I've got a thing for certain fripperies) but my favorite things have always been the most useful. This year's top gift of awesome?
A rice cooker.
No, seriously. I live in a dorm, and they're not only an approved appliance, they're like... wicked useful. While I've gotten quite skillful at microwave cuisine, I've rather missed things like rice and noodles that don't stick together if prepared wrong. A rice cooker means variety in my cheap food high starch diet! Yay, one more thing to start my fully independent life!
My sister got a DS Lite. XD Mostly for the cooking game thing. Also, the fact that she's the A student in the family. The parents are afraid to get me "distracting things". Since I haven't looked at my grades yet, nor want to yet, I'm thinking they're probably wise to hold back on that. I'll take the rice cooker and be glad. I'll prolly make a bag for it for her, since I'm liking working with my sewing skillz.
I haven't finished sending out all the cards I intended on, since I got sick on Tuesday and have been battling congestion since then. So if you get a card sometime later, sorry. And thank you people for the cards I've gotten; I didn't do one of those "hey let's exchange cards!" things because I didn't think about it, and I didn't know whether or not I'd have time. So I figured not promising anything would keep people from being disappointed. XD At the very least, I'll finish up the EPs before the New Year, since that IS something I could promise without too much trouble. Got some packages to send too--my parents found something for a friend of mine from earlier in college (who now works at Blue Sky, the dudes that did the Ice Age movies, among others) that I have to send out. I've got such a full address book now! I just realized that. Wow, I've met so many people in such a short time. It's kind of awesome.
I hope you all had a good time, even if it was stressful.
~Cendri
P.S. Yuletide Santa(s): Oh, thank you so much for the multiple stories! I was worried my prompts were too general, but it seems that keeping it general gave me some great variety! I loved reading such interesting and fun stuff, from new and older fandoms alike. <3
P.P.S. Some pictures later. Since I have awesome things to take pictures of around the house.