Oh, I know you all just love me after my comments from last night! I mean, the response to this contest has been overwhelmingly fun. I truly appreciate all of your ideas, even when they are not things I personally want. I think lots of people are probably reading who are either trying to figure out what to ask for themselves, or trying to figure out what to get for cranky auntie so-and-so who is also horrid to buy for.
But, and I type this with a bit of a smirk on my face, I have gotten a few anonymous comments in the last 24 hours saying things like “I can see why you’re so hard to shop for. In fact, considering how you’ve shot down every single idea so far, I wonder why you even asked your readers for their input? ” And I laugh because um, the whole point of the contest is that I desperately want to ask for something special for me that I will enjoy, but I *am* hard to buy for! Not to mention that I haven’t shot down every single idea. Joe just told me at dinner tonight that he has ordered some pajamas for me. So thanks to all y’all who suggested pajamas of one kind or another.
And just to make it perfectly clear: I changed the rules a bit. Just because it doesn’t make it on my personal short list of gift ideas doesn’t mean you don’t get a chance at the book. If I say “your name is in the hat” that means that I’ve put your name in the pile of names from which I will draw the winner randomly.
Let’s pause to look at a gratuitous cute-kid-and-cat picture which will hopefully make us all feel ever so much more relaxed and happy.
Now, on with the Wish List comments commentary.
Several kitchen appliances have been suggested. Yes, I’m going to shoot them all down for my own personal list, but I think most of them are great suggestions for people who cook. It just so happens that earlier tonight I was using my KitchenAid mixer to whip up a double batch of chocolate chip – pecan cookie dough. I love this thing. I had put it on our wedding registry, but nobody got it for us, and then we spent the Target gift cards on a video game console for Joe – I can’t remember which one now – so then a year later I asked for and got this as a combined X-mas/Birthday present from Joe. I have to say, I’m glad I waited and did a little more research. If you’re going to bother getting a KitchenAid, get the 6-Quart Pro version with a bigger bowl and a bigger motor. I don’t think the smaller versions can handle double batches of cookie dough, or for that matter decent size loaves of bread. Now that Julie can eat wheat, I plan on trying my hand at baking bread more often.
As for the other appliances, I pretty much either already have them or don’t need them. We just bought a new coffee maker, and although it is a Target cheapie, Joe is the one who uses it and doesn’t much care about his coffee quality. I use a french press to make my cup in the morning. An immersion blender would be nice to have around, but I don’t want it to be my personal Christmas gift. I think we actually have a waffle maker around here somewhere that I bought at a garage sale a couple years ago. Must go dig it out and try making waffles.
Someone mentioned a flat-bottomed whisk, and I am intrigued by this idea for a stocking stuffer. Joe, if you can find such a thing and it’s a version that’s safe for our non-stick pans, you have my permission to buy it for me as a stocking stuffer. All y’all kitchen gadget folks can consider yourselves in the hat.
Sophiekat suggested getting someone to weave in blankie ends for me, which I actually don’t mind doing so much, and says she’s getting a massage. I’ve never had a massage before, but my back is usually a bit sore too. It’s getting better now that Sophie likes to walk on her own more, and is sleeping in our bed less. Still, good suggestions from a fellow mama!
Katy had lots of good suggestions, and I especially liked the cloth menstrual pads idea, though somehow I’m just not ready to commit to them. Funny how cloth diapers don’t bother me one bit, but the pads kinda do. Plus, I’m still strongly considering the whole ablation thing, and if I’m really lucky, it might render them useless. I think they’re a great idea in theory, though!
Oh, and she also mentioned the TV series Firefly on DVD. I’ve already watched it through Netflix, and it was great! If you haven’t seen this show yet, go buy or borrow it!
Allergicmom suggested some family board games, which sound somewhat appealing. Those would fall under family gifts, but I’m glad you brought them up so they’re in the hat. We’re done buying gifts for the girls, but maybe for the next gift-giving opportunity we’ll consider them.
I have a light tent, and I have a full-spectrum lamp. But hey, Nicole! I love the idea of bronze knitting needles! Hey, Joe – $30. I want the size 00 ones.
Hey, Carol Ann – I have New Pathways for Sock Knitters – I recommend it – and thanks to you I just added Knitting America to my Amazon wish list.
Melonkelli had several good ideas – including the Daring Book for Girls, which I think sounds like a great book but that I probably wouldn’t take the time to read any time soon, a Clover accessory case, which I think is incredibly cute, but I don’t particularly need, and something from the Textile Center, which I love but probably wouldn’t use. Good suggestions, Kelli!
Rustynoodle made me laugh my ass off when she suggested Joe have a t-shirt made for me that says “DON’T EVEN ASK…MY HUSBAND IS ASIAN” She’s obviously been reading the archives and my rants about idiots who ask me where I got my kids. Joe thought it was funny, too. Rusty, you’re in the hat for sheer humour alone!
notsupergirl suggested a “personal massager”. I have never actually owned one of those, but have always been a bit curious. I have to wonder when I would find the time and privacy I’d require to try it out. I can’t imagine trying it when Joe’s around. hee hee. (and OMG I can’t believe I’m talking about this on the internet. If you know me in person, please please please don’t ever mention having read this part.) You’re in the hat!
My friend Elizabeth suggesting this yarn CSA which I think sounds cool, but I’m having a hard time believing I would actually know what to do with the yarn. I think that would be a better option if I were a spinner and could do it with the fiber.
Michelle had lots of self-pampering ideas, all of which were very nice. You’re in the hat Michelle!
Carol suggested a Knitzi, which is like a point protector gadget for a sock-in-progress. I think it’s cool looking, but impractical for me since I have the point protectors with the end caps joined by elastic and almost never use them because I forget or am putting my knitting down so quickly that I don’t have time to fumble with them. You’re in the hat, Carol!
Oh, and I’m forgetting who suggested that I get some comfortable socks because maybe I don’t wear handknit socks all the time. And it made me laugh because I do in fact wear exclusively handknit socks in the fall/winter/spring. I took a picture of my current collection minus a couple pairs that were either on my feet or in the wash at the time.
I have enough socks to go more than three weeks between washings if I wanted to! And no, it’s not enough.
Oh, and finally for tonight – when I was shopping at Old Navy on Black Friday, looking for a winter coat for Sophie and boots for Julie, I picked up this sweater for only $25.
I like it, but the top is a little snug while the rest of it is a little loose. I’m thinking the designer didn’t take into consideration that the cables at the top would pull in so much. Joe saw it and declared that the bobbles down the front looked like extra nipples and that I could nurse a litter in it. Looking at this picture again, I think I will keep it, but trim the “bobbles” off – they’re not knit into the fabric, but knit separately and tied on, so it would be a breeze. I’m really short on wearable sweaters. I’ve put off buying new ones for way too long because I keep thinking I’m going to knit up some of the ones in my yarn closet.
Thanks again for playing, everybody – more later!
Hi Shelly–I have lurked for some time and enjoy your blog immensely. A couple of gift ideas… (1) a housekeeping service to come clean your house. I assume that you do most of the cleaning in your house (at least I do in mine). If that is something that Joe helps out with, then perhaps its not such a great gift for you. (2) I sometime ask for tickets to a cultural event I’d like to see but that my husband would usually shoot down (for example, I love Alvin Ailey and he hates modern dance). Part of the gift is him going with me. (3) I know you said you don’t want to take classes-no time–but I really like Mama and Me yoga. You get to take the kid, get a little exercise, and stretch sore kid carrying muscles.
Tell Joe the flat whisk that can be used on non-stick pans is from Pampered Chef. I totally love mine… but unless you rinse it right away it can be a little difficult to clean.
Question…Have you ever watched “Buffy” or “Angel”? The first season of either could be a good present. Also, what about some sort of music gift? I know that your time is short, but what about concert tickets or lessons? Or perhaps a couples’ dance class for you and Joe? As far as items go, a selection of audiobooks (for car and knitting purposes), a beautifully framed portrait of the girls?
ooh, I love those pink & blue argyle socks in the bottom row. those are handknit? what pattern?
What about a workshop with a favourite knitter/designer? Or rounding out your personal music stash (with me, it meant replacing vinyl records with cds, when possible). I think the massage is a great idea too. They really do help with tension and knots in your back.
Your comments won’t let me leave my name as an “other”, so I’m entering as Anonymous, but it’s really me, Jo-Anne.
Are you thinking of scrapbooking? How about one of those kits that come with the album,stickers and papers? Take a tip from the woman who is scrapbooking her kid’s baby pictures….and my “babies” are 19 and 22!
The rug under the cute cat and cute kid is really beautiful.
I know you said no kitchen stuff, but when you mentioned your mixer, and wanting to do more baking, I highly recommend getting a second mixing bowl. If you make more than one type of cookie or your cookie has multiple parts, it’s really helpful. And I don’t know what kind of pans you use, but if you don’t have nice ones, the Williams Sonoma non-stick cookie sheets make all cookies come out way better and they have a lifetime warranty. I love them!
What about a beautiful yarn you would never splurge on for yourself (I’m thinking fancy cashmere or silk or something).
Okay I had an idea.
Go take a look at this
http://flickr.com/photos/tinytyrant/2071151589/
and this
http://flickr.com/photos/tinytyrant/2071151591/in/photostream/
I use this to hold my knitting notions, oh she who apparently stuffs stitch markers into car vents.
$15 at home depot. Both sides have an individual lock, and the whole thing locks shut. Almost impossible to destroy.
I love it.
I hope you get something special – whatever it is- that you will love and enjoy!
All I want for Christmas is your instructions for the modular throw…I have way too much leftover sock yarn to let it lay around agin in my stash! thanks cg
Girl, your jeans are falling off the new skinny you!! Congrats!!!
OMGoodness, still laughing about the sweater nipples… yes, cut them off if you can.
My dog that we had when I was growing up had one nip that was missing… we would always giggle when she would lay on her back…LOL
I almost got that same sweater at Old Navy, and definitely would trim the bobbles off of it. Unfortunately, it was a) too itchy for me and 2) made my husband make a face when I tried it on (I think in reaction to the same looseness you describe). Clearly it was not meant to be.
The sweater is really nice & for $25 you can’t go too wrong! Now I’ll have “litter nipples” stuck in my head & if I buy the sweater I’ll have to cut them off too!!
Don’t have any ideas about what to get you for Christmas, but I am really intrigued by your yarn hanging behind you in the sweater picture… what are you using???
BTW: Love reading your blog!
Clearly, yes, you are hard to buy for, but that’s why you asked for ideas, right? I’m the same, and I’m paying attention to all of these suggestions, too.
And boy am I relieved that my suggestion was not taken badly. I gotta tell you, I hesitated a long time before throwing it out there. Thanks for having an open mind!
Had a gift idea since you’re heading into baking waters – Baking Illustrated: A best recipe classic. Not that you don’t know how to bake, oh no! But the recipes from the folks at America’s Test Kitchen are amazing. (I know, it’s more kitchen stuff. It’s all I could come up with.)
Well, I entered the original contest, I think I’m in the hat. You clearly stated the “rules” and when I was reading some of the suggestions some people most certainly did NOT read the rules. I think if I ever got a kitchen gadget for Christmas I wouldn’t use it just because it is a family thing, like board games. These people have no right to complain, and then to complain openly to you. They need to learn to comprehend English. Thank you very much. I’ve asked for a new sterling chain for my pendant, the dog broke mine, and a gift certificate to my LYS and a massage certificate. I try to get one at least once a month. You should try it if your budget can handle it. My SIL is a massage therapist so I get a discount, $40/hr. (I would never ask her to do it for free, it’s her living.) Have a great day Shelly!!
I know you said you were not interested in food ideas, but I was wondering if there is a local place which roasts really good (organic, fair trade as you wish) coffee on their premises, and can send you a pound in the mail each month?
This doesn’t create plastic landfill clutter, and you get to enjoy it over the year.
However this would not be a good candidate for only one present …
Lisa in Toronto
I just discovered your blog and read several weeks’ worth when I’m supposed to be on deadline — ouch! But thanks all the same for a fun read
Sorry I missed the wish list contest, but I can’t resist leaving my 2c worth — just for future reference. 1) I would never dream of giving this as a gift, but if you’re even vaguely tempted by cloth menstrual pads you have got to check out the Mooncup. I’ve been using one for nearly a year and the thought of going back to anything else seems horribly… primitive. And 2), my gift of choice for the past few years has been a donation in the person’s name to a carefully selected charity which will do important things with the money. Because let’s face it, we all have too much stuff anyway!