What did you GIVE?

[Suki Wingy]

It ended up all being small hand knit stuff from me this year. Not only do I not have a job, but I really procrastinated. I still haven't finished my friend's mini TARDIS I'm making her. I just need to sew up the pieces and stuff it.

[Catty1]

About a month or so ago, I was at the grocery store. I bought my stuff, went to customer service for a moment and left my heavyish bags at the checkout.

When I came back, there was an elderly woman from the nearby Stoney nation who was counting out some change. I asked how much she was short, and the cashier said $2.50 or something like that. I said, "Heck, I can help - it's Christmas." and I handed over $5. The cashier said the woman 'reeked of alcohol' and I said, "all the more prayers she needs." I leaned over to the woman and said, "Merry Christmas. Grandmother," and left.

I asked a bunch of friends to donate any Christmas stuff they had...and got a tree, decorations, Walmart gift card, toys, you name it! I drove it all down to a single mom friend of mine in southern Alberta. It was a blast - I didn't even know what was in some of the boxes - it was like Christmas for me too! And some of the tree ornaments were really unique ones.

I got Mom some truffles - she loves them, 5 will last her a year, easily! And I got her a book she really wanted, With or Without God by Gretta Vosper (and she isn't religious!).

I gave several smiles to busy clerks at a local store yesterday and shared a quick chat. The one store clerk felt bad for the girls on the till as they were SO busy. That was great of her - thinking of her co-workers.

It's been a nice season.

[wolf_Q]

I'm not going to name all the gifts...just what we gave my mom. She is a big fan of Neil Diamond, she hadn't seen him in concert since she was in her teens. He was coming to Salt Lake City so my dad and I bought tickets a couple of months ago and kept it a secret. We took her up there telling her we were going shopping, she wasn't sure why we wanted to go shopping in a snow storm but luckily she didn't really suspect anything. She was very surprised and I think she enjoyed herself.

[.sarah]

My mom:
A meat thermometer (hers had broken, and I was clueless this year as to what to get her!). It was a really nice digital one.

My dad:
A gift card to a hunting/fishing store

Both parents:
Picture frames, because I am going to do a photoshoot of them together. They have never had nice pictures of them together, so I suggested this a few weeks ago and my mom was thrilled with the idea!
Made a lot of goodies for them as well, and I cooked Christmas Eve dinner and most of Christmas dinner as well. Everything was homemade... I've spent almost all of the last three days in the kitchen!

My brother:
Mario Party 8 for the Wii my parents gave him

My friend Anna:
Some socks from American Eagle that she'd said she really liked
A scarf (a joint gift for her and her roomate - they both love scarves and I have eaten over a few times, so I wanted to say thank you )

My friend Kristin:
Some necklaces, and a Jeff Dunham DVD

My friend Bradley:
I am making him a scrapbook of photos I'd taken of his dog that died a couple months ago. I am watching his other dog right now while he's on a cruise, so he won't get the present until he returns on Saturday.

[Whisk_Luva]

My Mum:
What happens in vegas DVD
Take that CD (she loves them)

My Brother:
An air guitar thing (its like, the first part of the guitar, all the frets etc, and you click on those and strum and it has infared sensers or something so it picks up that he is struming and plays). My brothers always air guitaring you see.
A hot wheels sweet set thing (my brother is 17 but he loves hot wheels LOL.... the set had 2 hot wheels in and a bag or 2 of sweets), and a bar of white chocolate.

My Dad:
A Magritte book (his favourite artist)
A calendar I made on my computer (since I was little I have made him a calendar for Christmas. I do the backgrounds on some art software I have and then cut out/edit pictures of Snoopy and put them in. We both love Snoopy)
2 little toblerones (chocolate, not sure if you have them in the US)

My Sister:
All presents were from all of us this year.... but I helped choose out a sparkly ball thing which bounces and its full of bright blue glitter..... etc. My sisters mentally handicapped by the way and functions at the age of 18 months (she is technically 19 years old though). She loves anything noisy, anything colourful and anything that moves (for example cars)....

My Friends:
Chocolate and rubber duck key rings (LOL)

[Medusa]

Aside from what I gave my son which I won't bore you with, I gave what I give every year: my home and lots of food and companionship. I prefer to use my money for Christmas cheer, invite people who have nowhere to go and/or no family, and prepare a feast. I also gave money to those whom I know really need it.

[Zippy]

Aunt and Uncle-Yankee Candle
Cousin Tyler-giftcard to target
Cousin Katie-apple handloction set,flower mug
Grandma-cocker keychain
Grandpa-horse keychain
Katie's friend-chocolate

They all loved there gifts and I was soo happy.

[anna_66]

We gave coats, hats and gloves to the Salvation Army.

Mark and I gave each other new windows for our home.

To mom we gave a digital photo frame and to dad a new electric razor.

A few small things here and there to friends and family.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

I'm not going to itemize all the things we gave to everyone, but I want to share one item we gave our parents. We gave our parents a picture frame announcing my pregnancy. It was really fun and special. I wasn't able to get a picture of my mother-in-law opening hers, but she and my father-in-law were both surprised and excited with the news. I gave my mom and dad a frame too. Justin handed it to my mom, my dad was sitting next to her, and he told them it was for both of them. My dad really wasn't paying any attention when she first opened it though. Here's a video of my mom's reaction. (Note: I'm the one you hear saying "read it" and my sister is the one you'll hear saying "what does it say?")

[cassiesmom]

Everyone got clothes. I think they all liked what they got. My brother mostly wears shirts and ties in his new job and I found him a dress shirt with a modest pattern, not too "busy" for days when he has meetings. From what I could tell when he unwrapped it I do believe he liked it. I gave my dad a pull-over sweater with a stripe design that's close to one he already has, so that will get exchanged. I gave my best friend a pickle ornament for her Christmas tree. My mom received one about 10 or 12 years ago, when my youngest nieces were little, and they loved finding the pickle and getting an extra little gift. My best friend's niece is 15 months old now, so her mommy helped her find the pickle this year to start the tradition off in their family.

[JenBKR]

We gave spme personalized gifts this year, grandparents got gifts with pictures of the grandkids, etc. Two of my neices got clothes from us, one got some art supplies. The best, though, were some gifts to a couple of foster kids (through a friend of mine who is a foster care caseworker) and a movie to my mom - she has been looking for "The Christmas Tree" for years, and we finally found it!

[Flatcoatluver]

I gave my mom two presents since it was her birthday on the 24th. Her Brithday present was a gorgeus decorative plate of a english setter hunting and for Christmas I got her a cordless mouse.

My Dad: I bought a really nice wind jacket.

My brother: a sweatshirt

My Brother's GF: Raugh Lauren Rocks, It smells so good!

Grandma: Pajamas

Boss: A license plate that says Crazy about Giant Schnauzers and stationary with giant schnauzers on it.

Groomer/Co-worker/Friend: Chocolate since she is obessed and her dog's breed stationary.

Best Friend: The dark Knight dvd, Sees Chocolate, and rubrics cube (inside joke)

[shepgirl]

Funny but I'm like Medussa. I gave the usual to the kids and grandkids but my home is always open to everyone. We always invite someone who we know has no family and is alone. I also give to our local nursing home - I prepare little gift bags for the patients. The thrill and joy on their faces mean everything to me.