My husband is not an easy guy to shop for, as are most husbands. They are closet about that; they seem easy to shop for because they are happy and grateful for whatever present they unwrap but the tell tale signs … the sweaters sit in their closet never worn. They ask, several years later, a tad embarrassed, if they can donate those never worn sweaters when they are cleaning out their closet. Other presents seem to just disappear magically, though you know for certain that they were not returned for a refund or a store credit!
12 Days of Shopping: Garbage, Mail, Hairdresser, Delivery People, Babysitter, Cleaning Person, Dog Walker (Day 8)
It’s no surprise to my husband that I don’t know the etiquette of tipping and holiday gifts for sanitation engineers. He is the one who is in charge of our children’s manners as he thinks that I was raised by wolves. So, I am thinking that it’s probably best that I defer this category entirely to Capability:Mom. Please click here!
12 Days of Shopping: Do Good/Hostess Gifts (Day 7)
For my part, I am compiling a list of gifts that give back in some way but also have a “present component” to the recipient. They’re gifts that keep on giving: knitting kits from Wool and the Gang and Truffles that benefit Darfur victims from Compartes.
Spain: children’s books, interior design, El Bulli recipe and more
I am planning a trip to Barcelona next year for two reasons: my kids have studies Spanish for YEARS so it’s time to take off the training wheels and my husband and kids are obsessed with Barcelona soccer. So forgive me if my post slants a little towards Barcelona. Of course, the irony: they speak Catalan there which is closer to Latin.
12 Days of Shopping: High Tech/Low Tech Gifts (Day 6)
For high tech gifts, I have selected: the Kobo eReader from Borders, and several iPad cases since I am buying one for my husband. I have been reading that the iPad is one of the most requested gift items this year from kids. I believe it because the Apple store was packed when I went in last Friday afternoon!
12 Days of Shopping: Teacher/Tutor Gifts (Day 5) GIVEAWAY
If I have no idea what to get, my fall back is Starbucks, Barnes and Nobles and/or Target. And honestly, there is no shame in buying them at the grocery store. No one can ever tell where you purchased it from!
Our Holiday Tradition: Recipe Booklet Holiday Card
Our family tradition since 1997 has been to make a 12 page holiday recipe booklet as our Christmas & New Year’s card. Over the years as each family has grown, we’ve opted for separate cover blurbs and photos specific to each family but the recipe portion is the same. Each of us contributes three or so recipes of what we’ve enjoyed the past year. There are no rules about what type of recipe to provide and somehow my sister, who does the graphic design, manages to merge them into a cohesive theme.







