making my list, no checking needed

Done!

Last night, I wrapped gifts (okay, gift. One singular gift. The rest happen to fit neatly into pre-decorated containers that require neither artsy-craftiness nor paper cuts) and declared Christmas ready to roll. Even if I wasn’t done buying gifts, I was done. Though I’m pretty sure my weekend happened, I don’t remember much of it, except a whirlwind of errands and way, way too much time spent in the car – all well earned punishment for waiting until the last minute and not ordering every single thing online. When will I learn, I ask you?

If history is any indication (it took me until I was 25 to learn how to wink with my left eye) the education process will be long and drawn out.

Now that everything’s wrapped up, I’m actually starting to feel a wee tingle of Christmas excitement. Funny, when I was a kid, the excitement was all about presents, but these days, every bit of my growing anticipation has to do with having five whole days off at home to sleep in (WAY in. Like, 9AM!), putter around the apartment, go to yoga and veg out to such fine holiday films as White Christmas and Meet Me in St. Louis (Louis, meet me at the fair!).

I’m going to interrupt with something totally off topic, but I just read something on People.com about Lisa Loeb getting an eyewear line. Which makes total sense! In 1996.

Anyway, I don’t really make Christmas wish lists – that sorta thing makes me very uncomfortable. But when both my mother and the Boy’s father asked that I outline something specific – my mother, clothing or shoes; the Boy’s father, DVDs – that I’d like to find under the tree, I actually took a lot of joy in thinking about what I’d really like to own, that I wouldn’t buy for myself: Reebok’s new Make Your Bum Hotter sneakers and classic Disney films, like Snow White.

Christmas morning will find me a much more complete person, I just know it.

What’s on your list? Is it a bike? Because if I ever made a list, that would be at the top, just like it was when I was five. Only, minus the part about the pink seat and white wicker basket. But since I don’t make lists, come January, my savings account will have a wee little Bike Fund section. Growing up is all about learning to live without Santa the Enabler.

28 comments to making my list, no checking needed

  • funny, the only thing on my gift list this year is, in fact, a bike!

  • CaliGal

    Well there’s a new perfume I’d love to spoil myself with, as well as a gorgeous piece of jewelery from my favorite retailer of silver.

    However, (having already been given some cash gifts and a few gift cards), I’m gonna do the adult thing and look at vacuums first and if there’s anything left over, I may still take a look at what jewelery pieces are available. ;)

    The only other “wish” on my list would be a year’s certificate for a weekly, just over an hour, massage. Sigh. Yeah, that’d be nice.

    Merry Christmas!

  • I don’t make lists either because I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop. There are so many things I’d like to have: clothes, furniture, decorative accents, books, photography equipment… it’s completely overwhelming and, quite frankly, makes me look a might greedy. What I am is needy; I deny myself a lot. I have to work on that. Within reason.

  • Olivia

    A Keurig single-cup coffee brewer! And a few boxes of k-cups. Swiss Chocolate Almond flavor? Um, yes please!

  • So sad isn’t it that 9am has become the new ‘sleeping in’? Just as staying up ‘really late’ has been re-defined in my world as 1am!

    In case you’re looking for another wonderful addition to your Holiday movie selection… I would highly, highly recommend The Happiest Millionaire (sort of a cult classic in my family that we watch together every Christmas). It’s a Disney flick (I thought you’d appreciate that!).

    Oh, by the way, I’ve been reading your blog for years and look forward to each and every post. Thank you & Happy Holidays!

  • Steph

    Ramekins. Seriously, I only wanted ramekins (and a potato ricer, but that came as an early present!)

  • A video camera! Nothing fancy, just enough to make my own little home videos on roadtrips and adventures.

    And a bunch of random DVDs like Julie & Julia and Inglourious Basterds, etc.

    I hope you get everything you asked for, Fish! Merry Christmas!

  • JennM

    I actually got what I wanted – windshield wipers from “the boy”….even wrapped up with paper and ribbon…too cute! :-)

  • Maria

    A Kindle. I really, really, really want a kindle. It’s not even that I read all that much (I guilt myself into laundry and dishes and such) but the thought of having *all* my books in one place. And to have a new book instantly. I told the bf not to get it, but I’m hoping he new I was lying…

  • Maria

    A Kindle. I really, really, really want a kindle. It’s not even that I read all that much (I guilt myself into laundry and dishes and such) but the thought of having *all* my books in one place. And to have a new book instantly. I told the bf not to get it, but I’m hoping he new I was lying…

  • Maria

    New? Oh lord. Maybe I should work on my literacy skills…

  • Number one on my list would be that everyone in our little family stays healthy. It gets a little more precarious the older you get.

    I bought pretty much everything I wanted this year- finally got two HDTV’s and a Blu-Ray. Spent my Christmas bonus on a Roomba and billed my husband for a white gold right hand diamond ring that I picked out. It’s less romantic, but I always like what he gets me…

    That’s the good news about getting old- you have the money at long last- and the bad news is you don’t have enough energy to really enjoy stuff like you did in your twenties.

  • Kim

    Yes! A bike! And cowboy boots (I’ve been in Arizona for a year and a half…it’s time).

  • An immersion blender! I’ve been wanting one for two years.

  • I’ve stopped making wish lists. Probably shoes. Nice boots or heels. Things I don’t buy myself but I know I should get. Books. Lots and lots of books. I love books, but I try not to buy them too often, since I know its wasteful. However, i love used books. and miss my used bookstore back home. Oh, the smell of old books. Unlike Maria, I don’t know if I could give them up for kindle. There’s just something about turning the pages…and books make me think of Christmases spent at my Grandparent’s cabin when I was a kid: curled up next to the fire with a good book. *sigh*

  • Av

    I love love the last sentence. I want those sneakers too though I am not quite sure they are in stores here yet. Happy Holidays to you and your family.

  • Renee

    Well I have been patiently waiting on an engagement ring for the last 11 Christmases, but he told me that’s not happening. Sooooo it’s either a keurig coffee maker with k cups or a shiny new laptop.

  • bets

    It’s hard to wrap love, so we wrap laughter instead, in the form of silly, yet somewhat functional gifts. best gift ever (though for my birthday) was a smoke detector from my friend, it made me feel like he really does care if I live or die, and when I said that to him, his reply was “Of course I do!” Warm fuzzies and many good night’s sleep, wrapped in duct tape and brown paper…..

  • Julie

    I have a queen sized heating blanket on my list for my parents. My husband and I really, really hope we get it because getting into an ice cold bed is not fun! I also really want the new ipod nano in ORANGE (fav color). It’s not on my wish list for anyone, but any Christmas money I receive goes into the nano fund.

  • I wonder how many other people actually winked with their left eye when they read that part of this post. I know I’m not the ONLY one that did…

  • Erin

    “Growing up is all about learning to live without Santa the Enabler” – LOVED that last line!

  • Mike

    The only item on my list this year is a wish for my son’s safe and healthy delivery into this world next month, for both he and his mom.

    I might also be getting a Kindle.

  • krysten

    i hate it when people (well my mom) asks me for a wish list for xmas or my bday… i always just say… “oh you know me, anything is fine.” and then when i’m out and about i can come up with about thirty things i REALLY want. and then its too late and it makes me feel greedy anyways. But i DO want those shoes as well. Even if i stay lazy at least i will feel like i’m doing a little something to stay in shape! happy holidays!

  • Carrie

    Wow. When I really think about it I’m a little overwhelmed. I rarely buy myself anything so… I want lots of things. Books, cd’s, dvd’s, more books, some pillows, a garbage disposal, clothes that I actually like, shoes that I actually like, a bookcase for all those books, some jewelry, a massage, pedi/mani & facial. It’s been years…

    So many things. I had a great wish list going on Amazon and it apparently disappeared into space or something. But most of all I want some Christmas spirit. I have none this year, no excitement at all!

    But my mama got me a new coat for my birthday (Feb 1) and decided to give it to me early so I can be all warm for winter and my dad got me gutters for my house so even if there were no more presents (which there are!!!) I would be so happy with what I have. Well, besides the garbage disposal. I really NEED one!

    Oh- and an immune system. I would like a new one of those as well. Please.

  • Lynn

    oh i TOTALLY want those sneaks! i have a feeling i’m getting books for xmas. which is what my amazon list was full of. hopefully my favorite perfume and after xmas my gift to myself is a zojirushi water heater. it keeps water hot at tea/coffee temperatures for like 7 hours. which is great as i forget when i have the kettle on that it’s actually on and practically burn the house down.

  • A very Merry and very happy Christmas to you

  • If you like White Christmas, you should really watch Holiday Inn. I’m a sucker for that romantic holiday movie.

    P.S. My mom got a Harry Connick Jr. Christmas CD that has “Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)” from White Christmas on it. A copy of that will likely find its way onto my ipod for next Christmas. :)