It's about that time to start dreaming about our own Christmas wish list. So, I thought I'd share with you a two valuable lessons I learned about gifts.
First, if you are going to make a gift wish list- clarify, clarify, clarify and then clarify one more time!
Valentine's Day was fast approaching one year. I didn't want candy (gives me zits) or flowers(makes me sad when they die too quickly). I wanted luggage. We were about to go on a trip and I really wanted to enter the 20th century with cool pull-behind luggage.
So, I told my sweet husband, Art, about my brilliant idea for the perfect Valentine's gift. I even said that red would be a great color for a set of luggage so it would stand out on the baggage claim belt. And I further clarified by saying I'd like the set to have three pieces: a large suitcase, a smaller one, and a garment bag. All with wheels and a pullie handle.
Well, my Valentine's gift arrived just in time to pack for departure on our trip early the next morning. I was excited. He was excited. I closed my eyes for the grand presentation of said gift on Valentine's Day night.
I noticed three things when I opened my eyes:
1. 3 pieces of luggage
2. in all the sizes I requested
3. in three DIFFERENT SHADES OF RED!
Seriously, there was a redish orange big suitcase. A true red smaller suitcase. And a maroon garment bag. Clearly, his definition of the word SET was a bit different then mine.
Well, you'll be proud of me. I smiled and hugged and wiped a tear (though not for the reason he thought!) And I toted that mismatch set with a smile on my face and a chuckle in my heart for years! I only recently replaced it when the zipper on the redish orange one busted. Thankfully the airline had duct tape to prevent my unmentionables from making a debut on the runway.
Secondly, are you sure you want to make a wish list?
I'll admit I recently visited my friend Ann Taylor who lives in a loft. I bought a few things with my 50% off coupons and made out a little list. (I love writing checks to this dear friend. I only write Ann Taylor. I leave out the words loft and clothing store. I keep waiting for my husband to ask me who this friend is and why I keep writing checks to her- tee hee hee!)
I also visited Kay Jewelers. I didn't dare go where they big jewels sit- shining, calling, bragging. No, I mosied over to the diamond chip area. They have this technique of using what basically amounts to left over diamond chips (the ones from when the big bragging diamonds are shaped) and they cluster them together to give the illusion of fancy and expensive. Since I will be celebrating my 15th anniversary this year and haven't asked for a piece of real jewelry since my wedding day, I thought maybe we could combine Anniversary and Christmas and get a few of those shiny chips inside a ring or necklace or tiara maybe. But, then I think about how many tanks of gas the cost of this silly bling thing could buy and I sigh.
So, I have a little list. But it might just stay in the bottom of my purse and get all tattered with the other pieces of paper that die a slow death in the bottom of my purse abyss.
For the best Christmas I ever had was the Christmas we brought our boys home for the first time four years ago. (To read more about this, click on the Oprah button above.)
Art and I never opened our gifts that year. We never even talked about it. One look at these precious children who had come from such nothingness opening their first presents ever and suddenly the world tilted slightly.
When I packed away Christmas that year, I packed the unopened gifts and stored them away until the next Christmas. And it was my best Christmas ever.
What is one thing you could give up during this Christmas season to bless another person? Post a comment and it will automatically enter you in a drawing to win two copies of my book, "What Happens When Women Say Yes to God." One for you to keep and one for you to give away. I'll even personalize them for you if you'd like.
Read below the button for a list of winners so far! And remember to click on the word comments below, type a quick comment, and then you'll be entered. Please remember to put some way for me to contact you. Or keep checking back to see if you've won!
Now, for the GIVE AWAY results so far:
The Point of Grace CD and signed photo went to Valerie!
The $10 Starbucks card went to Carol
The P31 tote and two marriage books went to Bonita!
The AWESOME gift package donated by Susie Larson will be announced tomorrow on her site and then on Monday on my site.
Merry Christmas ALL!
Now, don't forget to post below and enter to win tomorrow's gift! And next week you'll definately want to come back for the Walmart certificates, more books signed by the authors, a joy journal with matching Christmas E-book, more STARBUCKS certificates and other COOL stuff!
First, if you are going to make a gift wish list- clarify, clarify, clarify and then clarify one more time!
Valentine's Day was fast approaching one year. I didn't want candy (gives me zits) or flowers(makes me sad when they die too quickly). I wanted luggage. We were about to go on a trip and I really wanted to enter the 20th century with cool pull-behind luggage.
So, I told my sweet husband, Art, about my brilliant idea for the perfect Valentine's gift. I even said that red would be a great color for a set of luggage so it would stand out on the baggage claim belt. And I further clarified by saying I'd like the set to have three pieces: a large suitcase, a smaller one, and a garment bag. All with wheels and a pullie handle.
Well, my Valentine's gift arrived just in time to pack for departure on our trip early the next morning. I was excited. He was excited. I closed my eyes for the grand presentation of said gift on Valentine's Day night.
I noticed three things when I opened my eyes:
1. 3 pieces of luggage
2. in all the sizes I requested
3. in three DIFFERENT SHADES OF RED!
Seriously, there was a redish orange big suitcase. A true red smaller suitcase. And a maroon garment bag. Clearly, his definition of the word SET was a bit different then mine.
Well, you'll be proud of me. I smiled and hugged and wiped a tear (though not for the reason he thought!) And I toted that mismatch set with a smile on my face and a chuckle in my heart for years! I only recently replaced it when the zipper on the redish orange one busted. Thankfully the airline had duct tape to prevent my unmentionables from making a debut on the runway.
Secondly, are you sure you want to make a wish list?
I'll admit I recently visited my friend Ann Taylor who lives in a loft. I bought a few things with my 50% off coupons and made out a little list. (I love writing checks to this dear friend. I only write Ann Taylor. I leave out the words loft and clothing store. I keep waiting for my husband to ask me who this friend is and why I keep writing checks to her- tee hee hee!)
I also visited Kay Jewelers. I didn't dare go where they big jewels sit- shining, calling, bragging. No, I mosied over to the diamond chip area. They have this technique of using what basically amounts to left over diamond chips (the ones from when the big bragging diamonds are shaped) and they cluster them together to give the illusion of fancy and expensive. Since I will be celebrating my 15th anniversary this year and haven't asked for a piece of real jewelry since my wedding day, I thought maybe we could combine Anniversary and Christmas and get a few of those shiny chips inside a ring or necklace or tiara maybe. But, then I think about how many tanks of gas the cost of this silly bling thing could buy and I sigh.
So, I have a little list. But it might just stay in the bottom of my purse and get all tattered with the other pieces of paper that die a slow death in the bottom of my purse abyss.
For the best Christmas I ever had was the Christmas we brought our boys home for the first time four years ago. (To read more about this, click on the Oprah button above.)
Art and I never opened our gifts that year. We never even talked about it. One look at these precious children who had come from such nothingness opening their first presents ever and suddenly the world tilted slightly.
When I packed away Christmas that year, I packed the unopened gifts and stored them away until the next Christmas. And it was my best Christmas ever.
What is one thing you could give up during this Christmas season to bless another person? Post a comment and it will automatically enter you in a drawing to win two copies of my book, "What Happens When Women Say Yes to God." One for you to keep and one for you to give away. I'll even personalize them for you if you'd like.
Read below the button for a list of winners so far! And remember to click on the word comments below, type a quick comment, and then you'll be entered. Please remember to put some way for me to contact you. Or keep checking back to see if you've won!
Now, for the GIVE AWAY results so far:
The Point of Grace CD and signed photo went to Valerie!
The $10 Starbucks card went to Carol
The P31 tote and two marriage books went to Bonita!
The AWESOME gift package donated by Susie Larson will be announced tomorrow on her site and then on Monday on my site.
Merry Christmas ALL!
Now, don't forget to post below and enter to win tomorrow's gift! And next week you'll definately want to come back for the Walmart certificates, more books signed by the authors, a joy journal with matching Christmas E-book, more STARBUCKS certificates and other COOL stuff!
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