Brandon gets irritated at me every year because I am so bad about Christmas presents. Well, my own Christmas presents. I feel uncomfortable with extravagant gifts and I’m too practical to want things just for the sake of wanting them. Brandon is not. He could make a list of 100 things long, no problem. He’d put down everything and anything, just so the person buying has a good range of things to choose from. A long enough list that he’ll still be surprised at what’s under the tree, he says.
I am not good at that. Brandon will ask me what I want, and I’ll say something, then two minutes later, I’ll say, “But, I really don’t need that and I’d rather spend money on things we need.” His brain explodes. It’s Christmas! I should be demanding! Huge lists! Lots of material goods!
And lest you think that I don’t feel comfortable making lists because I’m some kind of Christmas-hater, well, I kind of am. (Shh.) It’s a stressful time for Brandon at work, so he’s MIA, and I feel unsettled and anxious and I hate shopping in huge crowds.
AND, lest you think that I’m one of those girls (you know the type) that say they don’t want anything because they want their significant other to just KNOW and then they cry and carry on when he doesn’t read their invisible brain waves—well, that’s not me either.
When it comes to spending money, I have a different hierarchy. I’d rather spend money on travel or buy something adult and boring than have a $800 handbag sitting in my room. If I have to choose between an $800 handbag and hardwood floors, I’m gonna choose the hardwood floors each and every time.
This year, though, he kinda told me in no uncertain terms that I HAVE to make list of things I WANT and I can’t consider home improvements, bill paying or practical uses for the money at any time. Ugh. Too much pressure. He’ll try and put me on the spot so I blurt out something without thinking, but I’ve even got that down to a science now. “So, what do you want for Christmas?” “New bathroom tiles.” I’m a pro at being boring to shop for.
But. If I HAD to chose things I want, without any much consideration for the practical, logical purchases in life, here are a couple things I’d get pretty jazzed about under the tree Christmas morning.
So, here you go Brandon and godspeed in your shopping endeavors.
- The Fashion File by Janie Bryant - It’s a book about style by the Mad Men stylist. Why wouldn’t I want this?
- Style by Lauren Conrad - I have gazillions of fashion magazines laying in every corner of our house, but not too many style books. I wouldn’t mind starting a little collection of them.
- iPad - Brandon said an e-book reader would be the perfect gift for me for Christmas, and I do agree that anything combining books + electronic gadgets is a pretty safe bet, but one caveat: I don’t like to buy all the books I read. I’m a die-hard local library system supporter, and-(just being practical here)-I read quickly and rarely reread. I only purchase books that I absolutely, 100% can’t-live-without-adore-and-will-reread-within-the-year. So, maybe giving me an opening to going hogwild crazy and downloading every best seller on the Kindle is not such a great idea. But, with an iPad, at least I won’t be limited to book buying and can do all sorts of other things on it.
- Horseback Riding Lessons - I’ve been riding horses on and off my entire life, but I’ve never had a proper lesson. I love horseback riding, and due to the fact that 80% of my body is leg, it’s a pretty good workout too. I’ve been spying out local stables in our area for a while but couldn’t justify the expense on something that’s essentially just a hobby. But, getting lessons as a Christmas gift? I’d probably jump around like a kid. :)
- Tripod - A camera tripod would make taking gratuitous photos of what I’m wearing much easier.
So, there’s my list. How about you? Have you thought about your Christmas list yet?
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