Soooo, Christmas isn’t all about gifts…we all know that. But I’m excited about my Christmas present…and I want to know what gifts you are excited about too!
Matt got me some awesome software (PhotoImpact) that will allow me to design my own Gratituesday graphics and website banners…and edit photos…and make nicer menu planners…and oh so many other things I can’t even believe what all this software will do (if I can figure out how to do it all)!
With the software…I was able to create a fresh new look for the site (with the help OF COURSE from Char , who always, always generously helps me do all the techie stuff I’m clueless about). (By the way…if you are clicking around on any links and they don’t work anymore it’s because I’m switching a bunch of stuff around to hopefully make the site more user friendly. Be sure to let me know if you find links that are messed up!)
Anyway…I got software for Christmas…I’ve heard a few of you say you got the grain mill you’ve been wanting…and Pam? Wanna know what Pam’s husband got her?
He came to my shop and bought some of my ebooks that she’s been wanting…printed them…spiral bound them and SURPRISED her with them. Is he sweet or what?
So let’s hear it! What did you get for Christmas? (Or what was your favorite gift you gave someone for Christmas?)
Right now my favorite thing I received is the “lambie” blanket from my mom. It’s from Bath and Body Works and it’s the warmest and softest blankie I’ve ever had!!
I gave my little sister a VHS of “Christmas Eve on Sesame Street” that I found at Goodwill. She was super excited. It showed around 1987, I think, and we used to watch it on video when we were kids.
I got 2 cast iron pans to replace my old cancer-causing flaky teflon skillets (thank goodness!) and a blender, which means mama’s kitchen is back in the smoothie business – Yay! (other things, too, but those might have been my favorites except for the ornament that grandma made for all of us which is ALWAYS my very favorite.)
My favorite gift to give was a tile on a stand for my parents that reads: Grandkids Welcome (in big print) Parents by Appointment (in little print)
It’s a hoot and my mom loved it, and Michele, if you’re reading… are you proud????? I got it done! But you still have to come over and help me with my hallway. ;-)
I gave all the big people a bath sheet (a really big towel that goes around the chubbiest of us and leaves no gap) and some home made goat’s milk soap in a spicy Christmas scent. Everyone loved this. I got new front room furniture from my sweet Hubby. I love your header, it looks really nice. The software sounds great.
Roberta Anne
My favorite gift was a Cricut machine, which is an electronic die cut machine used in stamping and/or scrapbooking. I love it!!
Hi Laura,
I got some awesome stainless steel measuring cups. And an amazing rolling pin – it is by Vic Firth and is made from maple wood. It is so pretty!
Your software sounds great. The new design looks nice too!
Stacy
We really limited the gifts this year. Just focusing on the practical these days. I got three gifts (a new bathrobe, a punchbowl set, and a set of new Pfaltzgraff Winterberry Christmas dishes) and I love every one, but my favorite is the dishes. I bring the Christmas dishes out for Thanksgiving dinner and use them for our everyday set until New Year’s and then they are put away when we reclaim the house! My old and incomplete set was discontinued a few years ago, so I gave what pieces I had to my MIL who has every dish known to man — lol!
My favorite gift to give was the homemade coupon book to my husband. He was just rolling with laughter as he looked through it.
Love the new look, Laura!! Woohoo on your fantastic new present.
Our favorite gift was from dh’s mom – Wii. We have been having a ton of fun using it already with games that were given at CHRISTmas like Wii sports. We even got his mom in on some bowling. She had a blast!
Our favorite gift that we gave was donation in our families names to Toys for Tots. This was our first year doing it and we were met with some great comments and some that didn’t say anything at all. We are glad that we did it though. :D
I really like the new look of your blog… it makes me feel like spring, which is wonderful! I got two attachments for my Kitchen Aid mixer… the pasta maker and the grinder. I’m super excited about the pasta one and know the other will be handy for applesauce canning next fall.
My favorite gift was a paring knife. I have used it at least 3 times a day since I got it and already I can’t imagine life without it!
The best gift we gave was a toy Dirt Devil vacuum to Alex. He literally vacuumed for 8 hours straight on Christmas day. It was a little ridiculous by the time dinner rolled around and he didn’t want to stop because he still had work to do. My only question is why didn’t we just buy him a real vacuum?
I love the new look, and your new family picture!
Things were very tight this year but Rich and the boys got me a beautiful Cuisenart fry pan. We dumped the old one right after opening it. It has a long handle on one side and a short one on the other.It also has a lip at the top so when you pour off grease it wont spill down the side of the pan.
Our favorite gift though was to dh parents. They asked each of the sibs to have a family portrait made. If I knew how to attach something I would post it. We waited till all the children and grandchildren were home on Christmas eve and took it. I will treausre it and his folks thought it was pretty cool.
Laura, I love this website, very pretty.
I love the new look! It’s wonderful! You will definitely enjoy the new software. I got Photoshop a few years ago, and still don’t use all it’s functions! Enjoy!
My favorite gift this year was is a Kitchen Aid mixer that my parents gave me. I’ve been wanting one for years!
Oh I’m so jealous, Photo Impact is my favorite! Congratulations!
My favorite gift this year is my Creative Zen mp3 player…4 gig…very nice!
OOOHHHH I like the new look!! I got money to buy a new waffle maker!! I’ve been wanting one that does four slices instead of just two. Now I just have to go to the store and decide which one I want!
Love the new look, Laura!
I got a keyboard as an early Christmas present from my hubby. I hadn’t had a piano for several years and was really getting rusty at my piano skills so we scraped enough together to get it. :) It’s been a blessing already – I was able to practice several songs and my mom played some piano and organ duets for church when we were visiting the family.
Psst! I’ve given you an award! Go to: http://mariemommyof2.blogspot.com/2009/01/so-touched.html and receive your award!
OK, lest this sound too extravagant in economically difficult times, first let me say that last year we did not give each other gifts at all. This year, I think we made up for it! I redeemed Discover card points and mypoints.com points for Lowe’s gift cards and got my husband a ladder that he’s been wanting for three years. (Do you know how expensive ladders can be?!?) My brother-in-law assured me that any wife who pays attention to the fact that her husband wants a ladder and knows what kind of ladder and gets it for him for Christmas is going to make a big hit. I asked, “you’re sure it’s not like him getting me a vacuum cleaner with the subtext of the gift being, ‘hey get to work’?” He said, no, it’s a good gift. He was right. And, oddly enough, my husband got me a vacuum cleaner and I LOVE IT. I love it because it is a robot, a Roomba. Sooooo cool. And not only do I not have to vacuum, I don’t even have to clear the floor or start the robot up b/c my husband is so enthralled with having a robot that he wants to do it!
These are so fun to read! People sure are cute!
My big gifts are for the baby–a carseat and a rocking chair. I am so thankful! I was really excited, though, to get a stainless steel stove-top popcorn popper (along with a huge jar of organic popcorn) from my mom. I haven’t eaten popcorn in months because I don’t trust the microwave kind. This way I can make it with coconut oil and real butter and good salt. YUM! I can’t wait.
I really had fun giving Focus on the Family audio dramas to my parents and brothers (I hope I get to borrow them sometime). And the way my husband proudly passes around his very own toothpick dispenser makes me proud. :)
Love the new look!
The best Christmas gift I received was from my husband, who graciously allowed me to spend 2.5 weeks with my family! He was so wonderful putting up with my crazy family for that long! What a treat.