What Not To Give for Christmas

I know what it's like. Scrambling around, trying to find that last minute gift for one of your relatives that you only see a few times a year. Or maybe there is a person in your family who is just hard to buy for. Nevertheless, a few days before Christmas you have shopped for everyone in your family except for that one person. So, in a desperate attempt to find something that he/she might like, you pick up the best piece of junk you can find. Not that you think it's junk at the moment, but if you gave it more thought you would realize that the gift would never be used. It would be opened on Christmas only to spend the next 12 months stuck in the back of a drawer never to be used or looked at again. Ultimately, you have just wasted your money. So, why not get a gift card to a popular store or a nice coffee mug? Those are two relatively cheap things, that will be used and maybe even enjoyed! Below is a list of things NOT to buy someone for Christmas.

10. Manicure/Pedicure at Home Set
Why? While the idea of being able to do your own manicure and pedicures at home sounds nice, it's highly unlikely that it is really going to get used. Mainly because the machine needs batteries, and mainly because there isn't enough time in a day to do something like that. So, while it's a nice thought, it is one of those gifts that will sit in a drawer or closet, unopened and unused. And don't even think about re-gifting it.

9. Perfume
Why? Unless you have been instructed by the person you are giving the gift to of what type of perfume they like, then I wouldn't try it. Everyone has their own personal preferences for perfume. Some like musky perfume, others like sweet perfume, while some like the strong make-your-eyes-water perfume. It would be in your best interest (and your wallet's) to not purchase perfume for another person unless you know (for certain) what they wear and/or like.

8. 5 Dollar, Dollar Store Movies
Why? If it was a box office hit movie on sale for five dollars, then by all means get it, BUT if it's one of those World's Funniest Sports Bloopers movies or a made-for-tv movie, then don't! You will just be helping that person add more clutter to their DVD Collection where it will sit in their DVD cabinet, unopened, collecting dust, and each time they look at it they'll wonder what in the world you were thinking. Back away from the 5 Dollar shelf at the Dollar Store.

7. Purses
Why? Most women have their preferences of purses. Some like them big and open, others like them small and compact. Some like neutral colors while other like vibrant patterns. So, unless that special lady has told you what color, shape, size, serial number (kidding), and brand of the purse they like or want...I wouldn't venture into this territory. My Mother In Law once asked why I carried a big purse, and then bought me a tiny one for Christmas. I never used it, and it is still sitting in my closet. Don't waste your money on a purse for someone else...they won't use it.

6. C.D's
Why? This is another one of those things that, unless you were instructed by the person as to what CD they want or what artist/band they like, it's not a smart thing to do. I've been given CD's by artist that I didn't even like, and their CD sat in my CD collection, collecting dust. CD's aren't all that cheap either, so, save your money and get that special someone an iTunes gift card, or something of that nature.

5. Video Games
Why? I know that those 10 dollar Wii, Playstation & XBOX Games look enticing, but there is a reason why they are 10 dollars, and it's not because they are so intriguing and fun. It's because they're terrible, and you're lucky if your gaming system doesn't spit the game out itself from pure disgust. So maybe instead of picking up one of these horrible games, get a nice gift card that can help pay for a game that special someone might actually enjoy.

4. Annoying Toys
Why? I never understood why my Parents got so agitated when we'd get some kind of annoying, singing, chattering toy for Christmas from one of our relatives. I understand now that I have a child. I swear these things play by themselves in the middle of the night, and the kids don't really play with them. They use them to aggravate the Parents. Settle for a nice stuffed animal, a Barbie, or even a Hot Wheel. Silence is key.

3. Clothing
Why? You really shouldn't buy clothes as a gift for anyone that you do not live with or are very close to. There is a good chance you'll get the wrong size, wrong color, or even wrong style of clothing. Besides that, you are setting yourself up to offend someone. Maybe they wear a medium size shirt, and you bought a large. It's happened to me before, and it is offensive. Nevertheless, it will inevitably hang in the closet for days, weeks, months, and even years. Mid as well hang a 20 dollar bill in your closet, and call it quits. Again, gift cards fix these problems perfectly!

2. Books
Why? Only the reader knows what they like to read. So it is in your best interest to save your money on a book that will just sit on a shelf, and perhaps get a gift card to Barnes and Noble instead. Unless, of course, you know there is a book that they have been dying to read, but do not randomly buy a book that you think they might enjoy.

1. Pillows, or Blankets that are stuffed with feathers
Why? I saved this one for last because I received a blanket stuffed with feathers a few years ago, and have been vacuuming up feathers off of my floor and couch ever since. It's a nice decorative piece which is the only reason I have kept it on the back of my love seat, but the feathers are not so enjoyable. If you decide that a pretty blanket or throw is what you want to get that someone for Christmas, just make sure it doesn't have any feathers in it.

I know that money is tight for everyone at Christmas, and I hate to see someone waste money on a gift that will never get used. Of course there are exceptions to everything I listed above, and I hope that I didn't offend anyone. Let me know what you think about my list, or if you have anything to add to it.

Oh, and if you are an online Christmas Shopper, check out this website for lots of GREAT deals: 6pm.com

...Samantha

Try This! Thursday - Homemade Time Capsule Ornament

I remember for a brief period of time while growing up, my Mom had a few ideas for some home made ornaments. This of course only happened after we got internet. Before the internet, we didn't know a thing! Which leaves me to wonder how the world functioned before the internet was invented. Anyway, that's beside the point. My point is that there were a few years there that me, my Mom, and my two brothers made Christmas ornaments. One year this included making an ornament out of a plastic spoon, and one year we made snowmen out of those powder puffs that come in the powder compacts. It was fun, and the ornaments still decorate my Parent's tree to this day. So, while I was "googling" unique crafts to feature on Try This! Thursday, I ran across this adorable ornament! So, have a look and Try This!

Time Capsule Ornaments


Commemorate your baby's first Christmas -- and each one thereafter -- with a tree ornament that's filled with handwritten recollections of the year. The plastic balls are easy to open, so your child can reread the notes every Christmas.

What You Will Need
- Fillable clear plastic ornament (ours is 80 mm)
- Double-sided tape (we used Terrifically Tacky Tape for its extra-strong hold)
- Rickrack or ribbon
- Scrapbooking paper cut into strips (ours are 5/8 inch wide)
- Small photos or other memorabilia that fits inside the ball (optional)

Instructions
1. Separate the two halves of the ball. Apply a strip of tape around the outside of the wider half. Carefully press the ribbon to the tape so that it's close to but not touching the outer edge.

2. Write notes on the strips of scrapbooking paper, then roll them up and tuck them inside the ball. Add pictures, a photocopy of your child's newborn footprint, and other mementos, if you like. Put the ball back together, then tie some ribbon and a tag with the year written on it onto the plastic loop.

Picture and Craft found here

...Samantha

Wordless Wednesday: I see London I see France I see Santa's...butt crack?

This is certainly something that you DO NOT want to see under your tree.


...Samantha

Merry Early Christmas to Me!

So...the very funny Beth over at Laugh Until You Cry gave me an early Christmas present!! An award!! Yay!! Thank you so much Beth, I love it, and it'll look perfect with the others!


As with most awards, there are a set of rules & they are as follows:
- thank this person who nominated you for the award
- copy the logo and place it on your blog
- link to the person who nominated you
- name 7 things about yourself that people may not know
- nominate 7 creative bloggers
- post their links
- leave a comment on each

So...here are 7 Random Things About Me:
1. Eating broccoli makes me pee a lot.
2. I really do not like Fall or Winter.
3. I remember the moment that I met my hubby & I knew in that moment that he was the One.
4. I have a lot of regrets that are beginning to surface through my dreams at night.
5. I dream often about tornadoes, hurricanes, and tsunamis.
6. I am addicted to Desperate Housewives.
7. I actually do have a heart.

I am going to bend the rules a bit and nominate anyone who is reading this right now to take this blog award. It's yours, go on, take it...you deserve it. Call me lazy, but I really just like so many different blogs, I don't like not choosing everyone!

...Samantha

Christmas Movies Make Christmas Traditions

Christmas movies were a very significant piece of our Christmas traditions growing up. We watched the same movies at least three or four times a Christmas season, and rarely added a "new" movie to the list. These Christmas movies were our "classics", and I have yet been able to accept any other Christmas movies into my list of favorites. Below is a list of the movies that we watched religiously, all Christmas long.

- National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
- The Santa Claus
- Home Alone
- Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
- A Christmas Story
- It's A Wonderful Life
- Jingle All the Way (This would be the newest movie accepted into the collection)

Don't get me wrong, I have actually seen other Christmas movies like The Polar Express, Elf, and White Christmas...but nothing compares to the hilarity found in list above.

No story could ever compare to that of Clark Griswold and his desperate attempt to have the "hap hap happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tapped danced with Danny fucking Kay", or poor little Ralphie who just wanted a BB Gun for Christmas.

Nothing Compares to the awe inspiring wit that Kevin McCalister exhibits by taking down two bad guys with his 8 year old booby traps. There is nothing to compare Tim Allen as the Santa Claus, and what is funnier than watching Arnold Schwarzeneggerr in a Christmas movie?

Each of these movies holds a special memory for me. They represent a happy childhood, and wonderful times held at Christmas. Although some of my fondest memories are of the Summertime and the Beach, Christmas movies allow me to remember the happy childhood memories and traditions of Christmas.

What Christmas movies are included in your list of Classic Favorites?


...Samantha