Gifts

With Christmas approaching, it is once again time to think of gifts: What to give, what to request. I have a lot of different thoughts about gifts but the main point is that I'm not big on traditional gifts. I say this at the risk of sounding unappreciative of the many, many, MANY generous gifts I have received throughout my life. All I can say is that I am truly grateful for all of the clothes, housewares, sporting gear, electronics, decor, etc. that I have received from my incredible family and friends--especially during times when I was not able to purchase these things for myself. But, when it comes down to it, I can say that my favorite gifting experiences have come from homemade or particularly thoughtful gifts that never appeared on one of my many wishlists.

• My sister Kelley is a very talented gifter. She has given me some very fun, thoughtful gifts:
• She made me a stapler in jell-o (joke from the office) that still makes me laugh and provides a great conversation piece at work.
• We share a common love for the “Hyperbole and a Half” blog and she got me a great “Responsibility Champion!” mug.
• She made me an apron that says “Chef Bridget” that I use when I bake so that I don’t get flour all over my clothes!
• She put together a family holiday recipe book that I still refer to when making some of the classics.
• My friend Bridget gave me organic cocoa powder from our food co-op along with her family’s cookbook that some of her cousins put together.
• My friends Katie, Heather, and I take each other out to eat for our birthday presents to each other and enjoy spending time and talking—just the 3 of us.
• My sisters gave me a necklace with pendants to represent the two half-marathons I participated in, and the ability to add more pendants with more races.
• My mom gave me an appointment for a massage. 
• My dad gave me an appointment for helping me with my fall planting/gardening. 
• My sister Laura made me two cute necklaces that I wear all the time.. I love when I get compliments on them and can tell people that my sister made them for me.
• My sister Laura made our toasting glasses and wine charms for our wedding.
• My sister Jackie bought and brought us our wine from Trader Joes for our wedding. Not only was it a nice gift, but one less thing to worry about—which is a GREAT gift to a bride.
• My friend Kelsey gave me a cute “thank you” gift that included a $10 gift card to Dairy Queen… just in time for pumpkin pie blizzard month.
• My friend Bridget endulged my pumpkin love with the most delicious pumpkin liquor drink as a hostess gift.
• A coworker bought me a “good luck” gift before my marathon with a $5 gift card to our local ice cream place and a note that said “If I learned anything from the marathon, it’s that you will need to get a chocolate shake from Custard Cup when you are finished. Better make it a large—you just ran 26.2 miles!”
• My husband has given me many thoughtful gifts, but some of my favorites have been the gifts of “dates” to spend the weekend in Chicago, go out for a nice meal, or go walking through park trails.