Yule gifts
Dec. 22nd, 2006 10:14 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
brightrosefoxAdam picked me up from the Metro. I showed him the ring, which he liked very much and found very appropriate for me. He said he had bought me two things: One practical gift and one luxury gift. I told him I had no idea what to get him. So he said that because he had bought himself a used PlayStation 2, I could buy him a couple of games. He chose Full Metal Alchemist and the previously unreleased Final Fantasy Seven: Dirge Of Cerebrus.
He asked me if I wanted my presents now. I said that the solstice had already passed, and he nodded. We normally open our gifts on or just after Yule, depending on the day, usually the Friday or Saturday following.
When we got home, he gave me the practical gift first: Yaktrax Pro shoe grippers. I always have problems walking on snow and ice, and my knees and hips and ankles are permanently damaged from falling. I can strap these over my boots and have perfect traction, since I am actually walking on the metal and rubber parts and not my shoes. The luxury gift was slightly more incredible and happy. Originally, since I had no idea what I wanted, I told Adam I wanted a day at a spa. So he did me one better and bought me a portable home spa: A HoMedics Facial Spa Ultra Cleansing and Microdermabrasion System, including a special facial steamer! I have all the comforts of a professional spa facial and I can do it myself whenever I want. It's sort of the "give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach him to fish and you feed him for life" comparision.
I really think these are among the best holiday presents I have ever gotten, my ring included.
I have never been big on presents. When I was a child, of course, I loved getting and giving, and I of course wanted toys and books and clothes and blank journals, things like that. And I always liked to give people exactly what they wanted, or from a list they'd give me. Or, I'd give them something I liked and knew they would also like. As I grew older, I stopped wanting people to buy things for me, unless they were very specific. I usually just bought everything I wanted myself. And I would rarely spend a lot of money, unless it was something huge, like an appliance (Adam and I did buy Lex a dishwasher years ago). Over time, the idea of spending so much money and bracing myself against shopping insanity felt ridiculous, so I shopped online at discounts or I made gifts. For instance, I just gave Lena a facial mask, and I have a similar gift for Beca. Or, I'd let people pick out something and I'd pay. The thought of receiving very expensive, extravagant gifts made me feel embarrassed, like I wasn't really worth it. But I always, always appreciated the gifts greatly.
I suppose my personal beliefs are that this holiday season shouldn't be an excuse to go crazy and go into debt for friends and family. In high school, I had a friend whose family expressed love through expensive presents every Christmas. And the more expensive, the better. I thought it was horrible. Some family members would throw tantrums if their presents were not extravagant enough. And I decided that it was a hideous way to celebrate a joyous season of rebirth, love, and hope.
So, I did not exactly shop for gifts. I bought a bottle of Sambucol for Danny because he had run out, and another bottle for the house, to protect against flu and cold viruses. I got chocolate for various people. Simple, small things. Love. That's all.
I respect and admire those who love to pile presents under a tree, who experience elation at ripping open wrapping paper. It's happiness and excitement. It's wonder.
However, it's not for me. And I'm happy with that.
So, blessed Yule to some, happy Hanukah to others, and merry Christmas to others still. I hope it is full of true love, hope, generosity, charity, and kindness.
He asked me if I wanted my presents now. I said that the solstice had already passed, and he nodded. We normally open our gifts on or just after Yule, depending on the day, usually the Friday or Saturday following.
When we got home, he gave me the practical gift first: Yaktrax Pro shoe grippers. I always have problems walking on snow and ice, and my knees and hips and ankles are permanently damaged from falling. I can strap these over my boots and have perfect traction, since I am actually walking on the metal and rubber parts and not my shoes. The luxury gift was slightly more incredible and happy. Originally, since I had no idea what I wanted, I told Adam I wanted a day at a spa. So he did me one better and bought me a portable home spa: A HoMedics Facial Spa Ultra Cleansing and Microdermabrasion System, including a special facial steamer! I have all the comforts of a professional spa facial and I can do it myself whenever I want. It's sort of the "give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach him to fish and you feed him for life" comparision.
I really think these are among the best holiday presents I have ever gotten, my ring included.
I have never been big on presents. When I was a child, of course, I loved getting and giving, and I of course wanted toys and books and clothes and blank journals, things like that. And I always liked to give people exactly what they wanted, or from a list they'd give me. Or, I'd give them something I liked and knew they would also like. As I grew older, I stopped wanting people to buy things for me, unless they were very specific. I usually just bought everything I wanted myself. And I would rarely spend a lot of money, unless it was something huge, like an appliance (Adam and I did buy Lex a dishwasher years ago). Over time, the idea of spending so much money and bracing myself against shopping insanity felt ridiculous, so I shopped online at discounts or I made gifts. For instance, I just gave Lena a facial mask, and I have a similar gift for Beca. Or, I'd let people pick out something and I'd pay. The thought of receiving very expensive, extravagant gifts made me feel embarrassed, like I wasn't really worth it. But I always, always appreciated the gifts greatly.
I suppose my personal beliefs are that this holiday season shouldn't be an excuse to go crazy and go into debt for friends and family. In high school, I had a friend whose family expressed love through expensive presents every Christmas. And the more expensive, the better. I thought it was horrible. Some family members would throw tantrums if their presents were not extravagant enough. And I decided that it was a hideous way to celebrate a joyous season of rebirth, love, and hope.
So, I did not exactly shop for gifts. I bought a bottle of Sambucol for Danny because he had run out, and another bottle for the house, to protect against flu and cold viruses. I got chocolate for various people. Simple, small things. Love. That's all.
I respect and admire those who love to pile presents under a tree, who experience elation at ripping open wrapping paper. It's happiness and excitement. It's wonder.
However, it's not for me. And I'm happy with that.
So, blessed Yule to some, happy Hanukah to others, and merry Christmas to others still. I hope it is full of true love, hope, generosity, charity, and kindness.
