The List ~ Part II
You can’t imagine how thrilled I was when a few key things happened during Christmas. (No, I did not engaged–just put that idea out of your mind right now. Sadly.) The first thing was that Malice sent me this choice hair dryer:
You know that tingle of happiness and excitement you get when your teeth break into a big, sweet, crunchy, purple, seedless grape? The kind of grapes that you buy from Whole Foods and cost a lot, but are as big as plums and worth every cent? That is my Malice. A friend from a faraway time and place. A true friend–who always zings in on the buttons you DO want pushed.
While I opened the box–a precious brown box with the telltale Amazon logo!–I realized that the hair dryer currently in operation in the main bathroom was THIRTEEN years old. !!!!!!!!! Can you imagine any household appliance lasting that long, much less one that gets abused on a daily basis??
This hair dryer was probably the best material gift I received because it was something I really wanted, it was personal, and Malice showed complete thoughtfulness.
And, you know, that’s all that matters in a gift, next to time and effort.
In fact, one of the best presents I got was something I DIDN’T get: Brent’s younger sister actually went looking for a soldering iron for me. The kind that I want isn’t cheap, so she didn’t get one, but the fact that she actually went looking for one meant a LOT.
Naturally, the one thing that I did not want, and was pretty sure I made clear, was the one thing Brent gave me for Christmas: gift cards.
When I saw them, all I could think was, “Wow. I really do mean nothing to this man.” In fact, he gave everyone gift cards, so I wasn’t singled out. I’ll save you from all the thoughts swirling in my head.
KK said, “Doesn’t he know how you feel about gift cards? Haven’t you ever told him? LOL! Take my husband, for example….. he LOVES gift cards. He thinks they are the best gifts possible because they are gifts that you truly want. He would never have a clue that someone would not want it if you don’t tell him, you know? And me, on the other hand…. I do love gift cards, but I love to combine them with something small and personal. That way you are telling that person that you know where they like to shop, but you also want to add a little something for them to open and you know they were wanting that little something.”
Now, a month after Christmas, I wish I had some more of those gift cards.
I still don’t LOVE gift cards, and I still don’t want them to be a primary gift, but I did have some fun. The gift cards were from Half-Price Books, which I do like quite a bit.
The day after Christmas, and every weekend for almost a month after, Brent took me to Half-Price books so I could get a something special with my gift cards.
On the first trip, I made it a point to get some photography and art books that I really wanted. And, they also had gift sets which I was really happy about—I got a calligraphy set and an “Espresso for Two” set which included two espresso cups/saucers and a tiny stove-top espresso pot.
Brent stood by attentively with Ilona as I picked these things out. And, call me greedy, but I made sure that these things were for ME. We always buy things for Ilona and Brent…and I wanted something just for myself. Is that so wrong?
(On our last trip to Half-Price, I did buy Ilona a bunch of books and flash cards.)
So, after all the time we spent at Half-Price books, with Brent really just showing interest in everything I was getting and not purchasing anything for himself, and after all the trips we made there (with Brent being the one asking if I wanted to go and him doing all the driving,) my mind has turned a bit towards the beauty of gift cards.
I mean, it sounds so completely selfish of me, doesn’t it?! haha
But it is also great to get gift cards from a place like Half-Price books where they have a little bit of everything. On one trip, I bought a bunch of music CD’s, some jazz mixes and stuff like that.
Also…on my LIST, I did get something that I really wanted and needed–a few days with my man. Alone.
It just worked out that way when Ilona went to visit her father, and I stayed with Brent.
It was quiet and uneventful, and sweet. ♥ ♥ ♥
