There is an adorable book out by Katrina Kenison titled “Mitten Strings For God” that is of particular interest to me lately. It’s wonderfully simplistic in it’s approach to making time for self and for family and cutting out all the hectic activities that make me forget as a mother that my primary job, my paramount calling life is to be a mother. Kenison’s book reminds me of the plainness of the uncomplicated life of a favorite author of mine, Anne Morrow Lindbergh. I mention this book for two reasons: one, it gave me the reminder I needed that family time is quality and must be jealously guarded and two, it serves as a theme for something pure and caring that I thought is of noteworthy mention.
Recently I mentioned that a lovely woman who reads me and whose blog I visited asked if, after I left a comment on this post, I would like to have the pair of gloves I complimented. It’s this kind of stuff that makes me warm and fuzzy on the inside. After eating my weight in cupcakes lately I can, quite frankly, use some roughage in that department. (I almost want to strike through that last part of the sentence lest Google searchers find their way here searching for ways to fix their constipation and the really ornery part of me is going to let that sit.)
Back to the warm and fuzzy.
Meg, said lovely woman, sent them to me and they came in the mail today.
Of course, I had to model them and show that she also found time to knit a matching hat! Amazingly, it fit my enormous noggin!
But the best part, the simple and beautiful morsel upon which I feasted tonight was the card she enclosed in the box she mailed to me.
It was everything I said I wanted to hear. And she said it. Is there a language in this entire world that expresses better what we English speakers say when we utter the words Thank You? My heart is full and my gratitude to her in beyond simple words right now. She knitted mittens out of love of the craft and then freely and generously gifted them to me. Dearest sweet Meg, thank you.
It is in that spirit that I offer up today’s post as a contest to win a free dress from one of my favorite stores, Shabby Apple. If you haven’t visited that site here are a few samplings of some of the dresses over which I salivate (at least it’s not cupcakes!). If you click on the name of the dress in parentheses under each picture it will take you to that dress on the Shabby Apple website.
Seriously. The boots MAKE the outfit. (Rosie The Riveter)
Classy and classic and well decorated with the turquoise chunky beaded necklace. (Nantucket)
To be honest, it was THESE HOT BOOTS that caught my eye but paired with the dress? Raarrrrwww. (Tuxedo)
Don’t cry for me because my booty is amply rewarded in this dress. Cry because of the genius of the lime green shoes paired with it. (Evita)
I would have to wear my hair all wild and curly just like this for this fun, funky party dress. (Beauty Mark)
Contest rules: leave a comment on this post (which I will keep open until Friday) and answer one of the following questions.
a) What is the best gift you have ever received?
or
b) What is the best gift you have ever given?
My trusty elves will help me decide on a winner after I have chosen the best three comments. When you’re done commenting go and kiss someone in your life who needs you today the way I needed Meg’s kindness.
Comments are now closed for this contest.
December 8, 2008 @ 7:08 pm | Filed under Contests! Prizes! | Permalink |
KBO Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 7:18 pm
For my husband and I’s first married Christmas, he hid a 30GB iPod in a box that had slippers in it. He’d been saving for a while. So sweet and awesome.
tracey Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 7:24 pm
Do children count? My son was born 11 days before Christmas, and I consider him a blessing everyday, even on those really rotten days…
The best materialistic gift had to be a suitcase when I was 11 or 12. I thought it was the only gift I had received, and was seriously pissed. But then mom MADE me open it and I was thrilled to discover it held all of my presents and later came to find that it had the ability to hold about 2 1/2 weeks of clothes for vacation.
Rhi Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 7:24 pm
I gave my boyfriend a Mini Beer Tender for his birthday this year. I really have no clue how I’m going to top that for Christmas.
Sandra W. Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 7:25 pm
The best gift I’ve ever received would have to be the rocks collected from the backyard of my first apartment. My daughter was just shy of two years old and wanted to give me a “mistmas” gift. I still have them.
I think the best gift I ever gave would have to be a plain white flag to my then husband’s ex. I was so over the bitterness and animosity. I just wanted us to at least smile when we cross paths.
CharmingBitch Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 7:38 pm
The best gift I ever received was from my husband; it wasn’t any one big or pricey present but it was a box full of my favorite things. A set of jersey sheets, some perfume that I would never buy for myself with matching lotion and bath beads and a few true crime paperbacks. The cost was nominal but the effort and thought put into it was priceless. Yeah, he’s a keeper. Mostly.
Her Bad Mother Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 7:46 pm
best gifts given and received - mah babies, from me (and, I suppose, from God in all her beneficence ;)) to me and to my husband and to the world.
but my Tiffany bean necklace was also pretty lovely to receive, and I think that my husband always likes it when I give him single-malt scotch or tools
flutter Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 7:47 pm
When I found out that I was pregnant with my birthdaughter, I was so scared. Three days later, we met the people who would be her parents. They were so nervous to meet us. I was instantly charmed. Her mother made me a small bracelet with Grace’s name engraved on it as her way of telling me that they had chosen a name.
It was the best gift I have ever received
Loralee Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 7:47 pm
I think that the best gift I ever gave was a membership to a ‘Biggest loser” challenge at our local gym to a friend. She is single and a children’s librarian and she had participated 2 other times to lose a total of 65 lbs and had saved and pinched her small income for a long time to earn the significant entry fee.
Right before the challenge she was diagnosed with MS and she had to use her savings to pay for the MRI that confirmed the diagnosis.
I was saving for a Nikon D40 but used the money to enter her and I don’t have a single regret about it. People facing things like that need to have good things and goals outside of their illness and grief to help get through.
Anissa@Hope4Peyton Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 7:48 pm
I think the best gift I ever GOT was the Christmas after my daughter was diagnosed and we were beyond broke. We’d had to have a long talk with our kids about how Christmas was going to be a slim one and they were all so so so brave and accepting. Then our family was adopted by the Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey team and one of the players provided a ton of gifts for my kids. It was amazing. To see how happy they were and how much it meant to us for them to give our kids what we couldn’t. It was both humbling as hell and a gift beyond any other.
Angela Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 7:51 pm
The best gift I ever received? In June of 2008, twelve people who had never met me in person donated money so that I could attend BlogHer ‘08. (In return, I knitted socks and ornaments for them.) I am truly filled to the rim with Grateful for the kindness shown by strangers.
Gillian Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 8:08 pm
I’m answering both.
The best gift I ever gave (besides life, to my son!) was for my mother. My mother turned 60 this year, so I had each of us kids (there are 5 of us) write her a ten line poem. I had my dad write a poem as well, for a total of 60 lines. I went on etsy and selected a calligrapher to do a custom work for her. My mother’s younger brother died three days before Thanksgiving, suddenly, and it made me really glad that we made this happen for her this year. Sieze the moment, right?
The best gift I ever received - well, it wasn’t for Christmas. I taught children at an outdoor education center. Trevell was a foster kid, neglected, troubled. He was 5. I was young, 20, and had I been older I would have been called to adopt him. I still feel the pull of this kid a decade later. He followed me everywhere, held my hand, took pictures with my camera. He didn’t speak or laugh, but held to me tight, like his life depended on it. He liked to braid my long brown hair. The last day of camp, he handed me a braid made of green yarn, and then trudged toward the cursing, nasty woman who was his foster parent. I still have the braid.
Suebob Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 8:13 pm
The best gift I ever received was the time and support to go back to college at age 40. It changed my life in so many ways.
Melissa R. Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 8:13 pm
The best gift I have received was from my boyfriend. I have not seen my parents in over 6 months due to the fact I live in NC and they live in NH. I have been feeling really sad and stressed out lately. I decided that I was going to be unable to make the trip up to see them for Christmas since money was alittle tight. My boyfriend found out and he has purchased a round-trip ticket for me to fly home to see my family. I am sooo excited!
CatrinkaS Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 8:22 pm
My mother, who raised four children on her own, is always broke - and always feels guilty about it. After my husband and I got married, she apologized (as always) for not having an extravagant wedding gift, or nest egg funds. Then she gave me a quilt top.
The quilt top was made by my father’s grandmother’s grandmother - who made it for her own hope chest. This is significant for many reasons, but most significant is that my paternal great-grandmother loved my mother. After my father abandoned the family, she would regularly extend to my mother offers of assistance and gifts. My mother never accepted.
Since my mother is an amazing seamstress, Nanny thought to give her something she couldn’t refuse: an unfinished family heirloom. Mom gave it to me. i had never known of its existence. Mom, while brilliant at sewing, also has near-crippling self-esteem and was never quite willing to sew into the quilt top - so ten years ago I received it in its original state - more than 100 years after it was made.
For my 40th birthday, my MIL, knowing how much that topper means to me, tracked down Amish quilters and asked if I would like it finished - which stabilizes it so it can be displayed. After some agonizing, I said yes (I want it out, after all - and have no intent to trot it out before the sages of Antique’s Roadshow.)
So. The best gift I ever received was received many times over: Nanny’s grandmother gave it to her, Nanny gave it to Mom, Mom gave it to me, and Anne (my mother in law) is giving it to me again. The tag being made for the back will mention all of us - and my own intent to give the quilt to my daughter (now 6).
Caffeinated Librarian Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 8:28 pm
It’s probably cheesy, but some of the best gifts I’ve ever gotten were the mix cds from one of my ex-boyfriends. One thing that we both shared was our love of music and he had great taste. Plus he introduced me to Michael Penn and my love for Penn’s music has long outlasted that relationship.
“What if I were Romeo in black jeans
What if I was Heathcliff, it’s no myth
Maybe she’s just looking for…
Someone to dance with.”
Best gift I’ve given? Again, it’s cheesy, but time. I’m in a line of work where I’ll never get rich or be able to buy anyone huge, spectacular gifts but time I can give. Particularly now, with my mom dealing with my 91 year old grandmother (her mother-in-law and a “difficult personality” at the best of times, which these aren’t) all on her own. I’m not there in town, so there’s a lot I can’t help with…but I can listen when she needs to vent. ‘Course, I sometimes have to remind myself of that when it’s 6:30 at night, I’ve had a bad day at work, I’ve yet to fix myself dinner so I’m tired and hungry and she wants to talk “just for a moment” and it turns into a 45 minute conversation about wills and powers of attorney.
Of course, if you were to ask my mom to name the best gift I’ve ever given her, I’d bet she’d say the UNC Men’s Basketball wall calendar that I’ve given her every year since I was a freshman at college. She has practically papered a whole room with those things now because she refuses to take any of them down. I predict the ceiling is next.
jenB Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 8:40 pm
You are gorgeous as usual, but that pink! is awesome on you.
Elizabeth Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 8:51 pm
The Christmas that I was pregnant with Abigail we had a Secret Santa gift exchange. While full of those pesky hormones I received this ornament from a co-worker. When I opened up the ornament I promptly turned into a blubbering mess. That ornament is the most precious one I have to date. It hangs from the top of my tree now with a picture in it: Emily and me while I was preggers with Abby. So that’s the best gift.
The best gift I’ve given? How about gifts? Each year my family bakes a huge batch of the Best Damned Chocolate Chip Cookies on the planet (okay, my husband bakes them) and then I hand them out to strangers in tins. A tin to the guy who held the door for me at the mall (”Merry Christmas!”). One to the gal who rang up my purchase with a smile (”Thanks!”). I get off on Random Acts of Kindness.
White Hot Magik Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 8:55 pm
Best gift received: Hard to pick just one, but one favorite is a very nicely framed picture of my sister and I when we were preschoolers from my mom. Best gift given: Along the same lines, I have been making mini scrapbooks as gifts. So far they have been well received.
Btw, the lime green shoes do rock that dress.
manager mom Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 9:03 pm
The best gift I’ve ever given? A drunken lecture on the eve of my wedding.
My best friend/maid of honor, Katie, had been pining for a mutual friend of ours for several years. She thought there might have been a shot at something but was afraid of ruining the friendship, so she never made a move.
The night before my wedding, Katie and the mutual friend (who was her date) were with me at my rehearsal dinner.
Katie’s parents were busy buying drinks for all of the rest of our friends in the hotel bar. When asked why he was being so generous, Katie’s Dad replied, “Well, this is probably as close to a wedding for Katie as I’ll ever get, because she sure as hell doesn’t seem like she’ll ever get married.”
When we got back to the hotel and I heard about Katie’s dad, I took her out on the balcony of my room and delivered a rambling, semi-incoherent monologue about why she just had to go for it, and the worst thing that could happen would be that she would finally KNOW one way or another, and even if they didn’t wind up together, at least she’d have some good sex.
They hooked up the night of the wedding. They moved in together two years later. They got married three years after that. And just two months ago, she gave birth to twins.
And the ungrateful bitch didn’t even name them after me!
True story.
Heather Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 9:11 pm
The best gift I have ever received was my wedding ring. My husband had purchased a solitaire diamond on a gold band for our engagement and we couldn’t seem to find anything that fit with it for the wedding band. So, my husband, who is a builder, not a ring designer, drew a picture of what he wanted and gave it to our jeweler. I never saw it until a few days before the wedding. It was (is) beautiful and perfect. And the fact that he designed it was the real gift.
Chantel Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 9:31 pm
The best gift was a camera. A person I barely knew saw some of my snapshots with my point and shoot camera. She saw them and went crazy and after five years I’ve never stopped taking photographs. That camera propelled me into my online presence and developed my photography skills.
Last year my son took an interest in photography and I gave him that very Nikon camera kit for him to begin developing his skills as a photographer. I gave to him in hopes that he would move away from skateboarding but now he rides around on his skateboard with a camera and a guitar strapped to his back.
Average Jane Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 9:59 pm
Last year my husband was just starting his new recording studio. For Christmas, I enrolled him in an online course to learn more about professional recording. I was so excited about it, I’m pretty sure I told him about it before the holiday.
He’s about halfway through now (apparently you get up to three years to complete it), and he says it’s been very valuable for him.
Sarah Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 10:01 pm
The Christmas before my husband and I got engaged I wrapped an original 5-gig Ipod in a Brita Water Pitcher box. He was so happy to get the Brita….although I had taken the Brita out and saved it for his birthday a week later. He was in disbelief about the Ipod. So funny now, that thing was so huge, weighed a ton and it was only 5 gigs.
Angella Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 10:25 pm
The best gift I ever received was my Canon DSLR. I was spoiled rotten.
The best gift I have ever given?
Matthew’s first cell phone. I got it for him the first Christmas we were married. After we had opened all of our presents, I sneakily called it and he dug it out from under the couch.
We have called each other all day long ever since.
Yolanda Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 10:32 pm
My husband bought me a PowerBook for our fifth anniversary. It was the most expensive gift I’d ever received, and I was so humbled by it that I begged him to return it. As generous as that was, it pails in comparison to the gift he gave me last Christmas: a Superhero necklace. When I opened that box, I immediately burst into big, sloppy, sobbing tears. After months of feeling completely inadequate following the birth of my daughter, my postpartum hemorrhage, and my hysterectomy…I can’t even articulate how moved and empowered I felt to be called a superhero. I now wear it like a cape. I cannot face the world without my necklace, lest my secret identity be revealed.
Pattie Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 11:53 pm
The best gift I ever received was from a very good friend, and was not for any particular occasion. I was going through a very rough break up, I was trying to move out of the house, I couldn’t afford movers and have very few beefy male friends to do the heavy lifting. She hired movers for me. It is to date the only gift I’ve received that has made me cry.
I only hope that one day I can give a gift of such value to another person.
Sara Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 6:28 am
I think my favorite gift ever was pearl earrings from my husband (then boyfriend) on our first Christmas. I was able to wear the same pearls on our wedding day.
It was sweat.
Sara Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 6:31 am
It actually wasn’t sweaty on our wedding day. It was more like, sweet!!!!
Oops on the spelling mistake above.
Dating Tales » Blog Archive » Compliment #31 - The Best Gift Ever Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 6:36 am
[...] Mocha Momma is holding the most clever contest by asking her readers to comment on their greatest gift ever. What a wonderful way to collect holiday gift ideas! That deserves a compliment. [...]
Dawn Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 6:55 am
Ever given? Planned a 30th birthday surprise party, French theme, with friends, for our friend. Best part was we took her back to her own house (blindfolded) where the house was packed with people - and she totally thought we had her at a strip club - thankfully that part was wrong since her Dad was right there
FC Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 7:11 am
I know this is going to sound lame but it completely made my day.
A few years ago my boyfriend’s Mom was stumped as to what to buy me for Xmas. She secretly bought me a Border’s Book Store gift card and kept asking my bf if this was a good gift for me. He reassured her that it was great.
A few days later we were reading the newspaper and started to discuss an article on how Gift Cards aren’t the best gifts because people tend to forget about them and not use them. I had agreed to the article because I tend to get a lot of gift cards from co-workers at work that I forget to use. I even used the statement of how “bad a gift” they were and that I “hated them”.
This worried my bf’s Mom but she presented me with the gift card on Xmas any way. I was SO excited and happy! I hugged her and told her it was wonderful. This was the first time I ever received a Border’s Bookstore gift card, which is ironic because I have a weird obsession with books and everyone knows about it.
This was the best gift ever. I spent the whole card the very next day. Now she gets me one every Xmas.
Heaven!
~ FC
mama's got moxie Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 7:53 am
about four Christmases ago my husband made our annual visit over to my pop’s house on Christmas eve to spend the evening with him and my stepmother. after a while they invited us upstairs, dimmed the lights and they threw a dvd in the player. what i saw made me cry nonstop.
my pop had created an entire little movie that included old and new pictures of me and him, and he also added film footage from when i was about 3, a short (and quite embarrassing) clip of me as a teen rapping with a few of my girlfriends, and video from my college graduation. the background music was the song “butterfly kisses” by bob carlisle. i was absolutely blown away that he did this for me and it’s a gift that i will cherish forever. i’ve shown it to several family members and friends and nobody could get through the entire thing without shedding a tear.
Marketing Mommy (Alma) Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 8:29 am
The best gift I’ve ever given is the professional-quality ping-pong table my sister and I purchased for my mom’s 60th birthday last December. We had to arrange for her to be home to accept a mystery 300lb delivery (”What did you buy me, a sculpture?” she asked).
But she and her new husband (my dad died 6 years ago) play table tennis every night for 1 hour and credit the table with their health and happiness (they can work out all their frustrations by whacking a ball at each other).
The Shabby Apple dresses are beautiful. I love the Diva (it’s so Mad Men), but my flat booty might look better in the Beauty Mark.
erica Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 8:38 am
Need momma to win me a new dress ….
Best gift I ever received is my now 9 year old pup Eliot. Words can’t describe the joy he’s brought to my life.
tori Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 8:38 am
The best gift I was ever given was a CD “mix tape” type thing from my husband. Except instead of just making the CD, he wrote a note to say why he included each song. It was and is still my very favorite present ever.
The best gift given…well, I can’t think of one in particular, but I love to give surprises that are meaningful. One of my favorite things was when my daughter was turning 4 or 5 and I wrapped up her present and then made her a card. I drew silly pictures and wrote how much I love her. She went crazy over the card and kept saying “you MADE this for me?” and totally forgot about the actual present until I reminded her to open it. Although that seems like a gift to me because her excitement made ME so happy. What about the sweaters I knit for my daughters for this year? I haven’t given them to the girls yet, so that must count, right?
tori Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 8:45 am
OK wait. I just thought of another favorite gift. It is a long story but when my best friend had cancer and surgery, I sent her a necklace that said “Survivor” on it. She wore it every single day and never took it off for years. It was that special to her. When I was diagnosed with cancer, two days after I told her about it, I got the mail and there was a package for me. It was the necklace! She wanted me to have it because it was her sign of strength and she didn’t need it but I did. When I read the note, I cried because it is just so awesome to have a friend that “gets” you and is there for you always.
tori Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 8:49 am
One more thing and then I will stop my insane commenting! I don’t look good in dresses, so don’t pick me…it was just fun to share and then read other people’s stories.
wifey615 Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 8:53 am
The best gift given.
After attending an out of state funeral for a very close loved one, my mother came home to a totally defrosted freezer and and refrigerator and freezer full of spoiled food. They called a repairmen who “fixed” the refrigerator enough that it would work…however it cuts off whenever it feels like it now. Anyway, it costs about $50 less to repair the refrigerator and hope that it works than to just get a new one…just $50. My parents are on a fixed income and cannot afford a new refrigerator…or to repair the broken one. I went to habitat for humanity and found a refrigerator that someone has donated. Same make/newer model of my mothers refrigerator. Well I bought that refrigerator ($200!!!!) and just need to get it to my mother in time for Christmas. I called and told her about it today -her birthday. She cried and was so happy she had to hang up on me!
So, this is the best gift I’ve had the pleasure of giving. Not only did I help my mother, but I was also able to help my community, and get a tax deduction.
wifey615 Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 9:01 am
My husbands 40th surprise birthday party. we live out of the state both of our families live in. Visits were scarce. Anyway, I planned this big elaborate party behind his back. Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Friends, Parents, everyone who meant something to him was there.
For weeks leading up to his birthday he claimed he didn’t want to do anything for his birthday, it was just another day. The night before his birthday my brother is in town (for the surprise party) and since they drove all day, they claimed they didn’t really want to go out or do anything. My husband was beyond pissed/upset/mad. He threw one of the biggest tantrums I’ve ever witnessed by a grown man…’how could you let my 40th birthday pass and not do anything??’ Well, the next day (part day) I finally have everyone assembled at the party location and my brother gets him to the venue. The look on his face (and the tears he cried) are still talked about to this day by everyone who attended the party. He really thought I’d let his b-day go by without any kind of acknowledgement.
Renée aka Mekhismom Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 9:04 am
The best gift that I have ever given was taking a couple of my family members on a weekend cruise to the Caribbean. And before you dismiss my comment because I can afford to buy my own damn dress, please hear me out.
I am not wealthy, far from it. In 2001 I had the horrible experience of working 6 blocks from the World Trade Center and ended up in the midst of the chaos and mayhem that ensued. Working in the area during the aftermath, seeing the rubble, having flashbacks of people jumping from windows to sure death, all took a serious toll on me.
I decided that I needed a mental and physical vacation. As a result of 9/11 flights and travel in general were extremely inexpensive. I found a deal that included a flight from NY to Florida and a weekend cruise on Norwegian Cruise Lines for less than $300. I called everyone I knew to try and get a roommate and finally decided that mom and I would go. I’d pay for her and be done with it. As a single mom she raised me so that I never wanted for anything and taking her on vacation was the least I could do for her.
Next think I knew, everyone that I’d called when I was seeking a roommate decided to go. My cousin told all of his friends (and they decided to go) but he was short on cash. When I was an AmeriCorps volunteer I had gotten down to my last $7.00 and he’d sent me $100.00 to keep me going. I decided to return the favor and take him on the trip.
When all was said and done, 20 family and friends ended up going on the trip. We flew from all over the country to meet up and rejoice- thankful for life, love, family, and friendship.
Although I technically only paid for 2 family members I believe I gave the gift of a trip that cost next to nothing to all that attended. This was a well needed respite from the harrowing times of that year.
inthefastlane Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 9:25 am
That hat and mittens are AWESOME. I so wish I had talent, or time to have talent.
Now the best gift I was ever given was an engagement ring. I married him. We have three kids. It is the gift that keeps on giving.
Alina@OliveandBean Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 10:20 am
Wow, I can’t believe I just read all those comments. Do we get extra points for short and sweet? I hope following simple instructions and correct spelling are extra points too!
B) The best gift I ever given; the gift of forgiveness. I have embarked upon a new life that is full of hope and compassion through the act of forgiving those who have harmed me along the way. Holding on to anger and resentment only harms me, so the best gift I have ever given myself is to let go and forgive those people.
Alina
p.s that reminds me I need to work on some recent resentments with my DH!
Naomi Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 11:32 am
Such a neat contest–people have some creative, generous impulses!
My favorite gift received? Well, the (live) chicken in a rural village in Sierra Leone probably makes the best story. These were people who had lost everything (again and again) in the civil war and, five years later were still slowly rebuilding. I came, in my usual, journalistic way, without invitation, to take (their stories, their hospitality–no hotels out there), and as we were leaving our smiling host thrust a white chicken in my arms. I thanked him, but told him we couldn’t possibly take a chicken on an hours-long car ride to the city. I think he was relieved. And I later learned that I was totally wrong–the two women we gave a ride to each had a live chicken stuck butt-first in her purse.
Best gift given — right now, we are paying for my husband’s friend to take literacy classes. Twenty years ago, his parents pulled him out of school after kindergarten because they couldn’t afford the $2/month fee. Now he runs off to class every day, and he recently refused a notebook from my husband because it had the extra-wide “beginner” lines, and he said he was “way beyond that.” So cool.
Beth Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 11:51 am
I live in Central New York and a friend of mine lives in Virginia. She’s disabled and has a service dog to help her get around. I was talking about how much I love hockey and going to games and she said she’d never been to a game but has always wanted to go. I contacted a friend of mine who works for our local AHL team who gave me contact info for someone at her local AHL team (the Norfolk Admirals). I was able to get her a couple of ticket vouchers and was reassured that Buddy (her service dog) would be able to go with her.
She cried when she got the card, she told me. It was the nicest thing someone had done for her in a long time.
And now she’s a hockey fan. That’s called putting the biscuit in the basket.
Miss Britt Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 12:12 pm
The picture of you in the matching mitten and hat ALMOST make me wish I lived in a place where I could wear that. GAH! You’re adorable!
Hmm… contest… I love dresses like this, but I’m wondering if they come in petite because HELLO! PERFECT LENGTH DRESSES! YES PLEASE!
Oh. Right. Questions.
Ummm….
The most perfect gift I ever received was a mixed CD from my mom. It was 3 Christmases ago, all of us were broke, so I declared a moratorium on store bought gifts and bought a case of blank CDs instead. I gave them out to the family and we all made CDs for each other.
Of course the one from my mom to me was the most perfect. It included a song called “You and Me AGainst the World…” which she used to sing to me when I was a baby. The song she played for me at my graduation. The songs from our favorite mom/daughter movie. The song I sang in my highschool musical.
It was perfect. In every way.
Mommela Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 12:41 pm
Simple: Best gift? When two amazing young people confronted by difficult life choices beyond their years placed their most precious newborn daughter in our arms and entrusted her to us to love, raise, and be her everyday parents.
Second best: After giving me a totally cool mechanical pencil purchased on a business trip to Japan, I kept it safe for almost 15 years. Then, last summer it fell out of my purse and was crushed to smithereens by the minivan. I cried over the little silver slivers. The company now considers that model “extinct.” Not available anywhere in the world. Lots of weeping. This year for our 13th anniversary, he gave a new pencil–THE EXACT SAME ONE I’D CRUSHED! He worked a miracle to replace my beloved pencil.
Amy in StL Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 1:22 pm
Maybe it’s the newness of the situation but I think the best gift I’ve ever given is the one I gave recently to my (now ex)boyfriend of two years. After he broke up with me by yelling at me his list of things he didn’t like and then telling me to get out, I wrote him a long e-mail and told him that he shouldn’t ever treat anyone that way. I also told him that I’d eventually forgive him even if he never apologized, but that we had been good as friends and it was a shame to lose that.
His friends tell me that he’s never apologized to anyone before (even his parents) and were shocked when he not only wrote back to apologize he walked down to my cube and said he was sorry. He also thanked me for extending the olive branch. He really did break my heart (even if with perspective I can see that the relationship wasn’t healthy so I’m better out of it) and it telling him that I forgave him and then encouraging him to come to the happy hour with all of our friends that I organize was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. However, everyone in the building tells me that he’s happier this week and his friends think this may lead to him turning over a new leaf and learning to treat others nicely rather than blowing up and ignoring them.
ragtopday Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 1:22 pm
The best gift I’ve ever received was when I was about 11 or 12 years old. My aunt, who is more like a cousin, gave me a box of about 20 paperback books: Black Beauty, Sounder, Where the Red Fern Grows - all classics. As an avid reader (then and now), it was a gift I got to enjoy for a long time. It’s over 30 years later, and while I’ve received lots of great gifts since, that one stands out still. And you know, I don’t think I’ve ever told her that, so I think I will.
The best gift I ever gave was a collection of essays I wrote specifically for my mom one year for her birthday.
breed 'em and weep Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 1:52 pm
I might have just given it. Ironically, I gave it to the best gift I was ever given: my mama.
I’m shaky. I’m a mess. I have a disease, which comes with medicine worse than the disease.
Months ago, before the poo hit the fan in outrageous style, I signed up for a PMC clay silversmithing workshop. I’d never touched metal. But I felt…compelled.
The workshop was this weekend. I was in no shape to go. Couldn’t drive, from the meds.
My mama, bless her, drove me an hour there and wandered a town she didn’t know, from 10am to 5pm.
At the end of the day, I ran up to her in the lobby. “Here,” I said. “This is for you.” It was a geranium leaf, cast in pure gleaming silver. With shaky hands and blurry vision, I had made it. For her.
She tells me I am stronger than I know. The silver told me the same thing.
But she’s the strongest of all.
Wendy Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 1:54 pm
The best gift I ever received was at a family baby shower when I was pregnant with my oldest.
I am not a crier. Not. At all. Except on very rare occasions when I completely lose my shit. The other women in my family - my mother and two sisters - fabulous criers. Cry at songs, commercials, and conversations. Its what they do.
I am the oldest “child” in the my family - the oldest daughter, and the oldest granddaughter. My daughter is also the oldest, and so also the first.
Got the normal things from everyone - diapers, clothes, toys, etc (unfortunately, in all shades of pink, pink, and more pink). Finally, the gift from my mother.
I opened the large box, and found a stack of baby clothes. Old baby clothes. All from when I was small enough to wear them. Some hand made, some gifts from family, many of them gifts my mother received at HER baby shower. In the bottom of the stack were two tiny pieces of clothing. On the right, an impossibly small pink, footed sleeper - the clothing I wore home from the hospital some 30 years before. On the left, an equally small, embroidered sun dress and bonnet - the clothing my mother wore home from the hospital some 60 years before.
Needless to say, a real oh-my-god-i’m-crying-in-public moment.
The two pieces of baby clothes are now safely encased in shadow boxes on the wall of my daughter’s room - next to a shadow box containing the clothes SHE wore home from the hospital some 2-1/2 years ago.
mommymae Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 3:58 pm
best gift received: besides the miniature cabbage patch doll my parents didn’t hide well under the stairs of my dad’s office for christmas in 1985, i’d say the french press i got for my birthday this morning.
best given: naked pictures of me to my husband (well, i sat for an art class when i was pregnant last summer, so it’s not really naked pictures, per se, put high art.)
BETSY Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 5:31 pm
When I graduated from college, I went to visit my grandfather in Arizona. My graduation gift from him was a trip to the Grand Canyon, something I had always wanted to see.
We spent two days at the Canyon, and I was a budding photographer at the time. I hauled around my camera, took improvised panoramic shots, got good pics of Gramps and myself, and had an overall great time.
That night at the hotel, I searched and searched and searched for my camera with the 10 rolls of film I had taken. It was gone. I believe I left my camera bag on the hook in the restroom at one of our stops.
Needless to say, I was crushed. I think Grandpa was as upset as I.
Fast forward 6 months. I receive a package in the mail.
My beautiful, loving, amazing grandfather went back to the Grand Canyon, retraced our footsteps, and took pictures of everything we had visited.
The pictures weren’t the best gift ever. A grandfather who would do that for his granddaughter was the best gift ever.
Spring @ Forever Spring Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 6:18 pm
My best gift came to me after 18 months of waiting. I had wanted a child for too long and was starting to become bitter. And then, suddenly, it was time to get on a plane and fly for days. Only to wait, and wait, and wait some more. My faith failed and I didn’t know why I was there, waiting, unable to control the circumstances, the delays, or my emotions. I was contemplating getting back on a plane and going home when the phone rang and a voice said, “They’re in the lobby.”
I ran downstairs (9 flights) and saw her. My Daughter! She looked (and felt) familiar, like I had always known her. I stopped only to verify her name and when the nanny nodded, I grabbed her and walked away. No kidding. I stole my own child!
There’s something about the first child…I gave her a name that means “My Gift from God” and she has never stopped being my gift.
Okay, end of corny story. And it was WAY better gift than the Moen anti-scald shower package my husband got me for Christmas a couple years before that!
Lauri Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 6:46 pm
The best gift I’ve ever given was a year’s worth of memories for my parents. My brother and I wrote 365 of our favorite memories from childhood through adulthood on slips of parchment paper. I then folded those slips of paper, put them in a pretty box tied with a big lovely ribbbon, and labeled them “You’ve given us so many memories throughout the years; now we’re giving them back to you. Thank you for all the wonderful times.” My parents opened one memory per day for the next year. (And, I have to say, the best gift I’ve received was their reaction and the great conversations it invoked throughout the year!)
Gina Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 7:21 pm
The best gift I ever rec’d was a trip to the East Coast and to NYC (and a Broadway musical!) - from my cousin Tanya - in 1999.
Oh, The Joys Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 7:24 pm
The best gift(s) is/are easy. On my birthday in 2003, I learned I was pregnant with my son. On Christmas day in 2004, I learned I was pregnant with my daughter. They are the two best gifts I ever got.
(That and when my man dressed up like a national park ranger… bow chicka bow wow!)
anji Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 8:10 pm
Best gift I ever received? It was Easter, Good Friday and I heard that my hubby survived an RPG attack on his vehicle and that he was saved.
Best gift I ever sent? When he was in Afghanistan, I sent him care packages that had goodies (food, treats, chocolates) and a few toys to be sort of joke-gifts… he actually really treasured them! He also shared all of his food with other soldiers, which made me feel really good. I was proud of him sharing his stash of goodies with others when it was such a limited resource there…
A second gift I guess, isn’t really a “gift” per se… it was a little note of love and support that I wrote very quickly in the airport on the day hubby left for Afghanistan. It was a last minute thing, which I snuck into his wallet. He discovered it when he arrived there, and three years later — that tattered love note stays on our mantle, folded the same way in a small container he bought to keep it as a treasure. He won’t let me touch it or lose it in any way. That means a lot to both of us I guess!
Claire Said,
December 10, 2008 @ 12:16 am
This is stretching this question to ridiculous and cheesy lengths but I think the greatest gift I was ever given was the eclectic group of friends I found in my college apartment senior year. And from there, I received a lot of little but very important gifts. From each my roommates and honorary roommates I received a lesson on life, whether they realize it or not. From Dan I received the gift of The Random. From Devon I received the gift of Personal Growth. From Katie I received the gift of Conversation. From Mallory I received the gift of Cool. From Marianne I received the gift of Self-Assurance. From May I received the gift of Adventure. From Nozomi I received the gift of Encouragement. From Paul I received the gift of Loyalty. From Tiffany I received the gift of Inspiration. Other gifts include but are not limited to: Patience, Laughter, Love, Acceptance, Spontaneity, Challenges, An Even-More-Open Mind, Good Food, Good Drink, Good Times, and A Brand New Vocabulary.
Kristin Said,
December 10, 2008 @ 1:25 am
The best gift I got was from my husband, he got me a digital SLR camera. While the camera was nice and thoughtful in and of itself, the gift really showed how much he cared about me. It came at a time when I needed to find something that fed my soul. He remembered that I used to love photography but had to get rid of my old film camera several years ago. So the new camera was a wonderful surprise and has since brought me back to my love of photography and what feeds my soul. It reminds me that I have people in my life that love me and want me to be happy.
Monica Bush Said,
December 10, 2008 @ 7:30 am
The best gift I have ever received was from my husband. He bought me a star. Most people file this gift in the “cheesy” category, however, my reasoning is different. My father passed away 10 years ago and since then, I have always looked to the stars in the sky when I needed to talk to him. The first star I see is the one I focus on and talk to. Having my husband buy a star in my father’s name was very sweet to recognize the connection to my father. My mother passed away this year, a month before I gave birth to my son. This year, I am buying my son a star in his grandmother’s name and plan to share with him as he gets older how I talk to my dad (and now my mom) when I need support.
Gwen Said,
December 10, 2008 @ 9:36 am
My mom turned 70 in November. She spent most of her life in the jungles of the Indonesian part of Borneo, as a missionary. She never had much time for herself or for fancy clothes or nice things. She and my dad worked hard together until the day he died of pancreatic cancer, five years ago.
Now she’s retired, re-married, living in a nice little apartment in Florida. My sisters and I wanted to do something special for her for this momentous birthday, and we finally decided to rent her a car. I know. A car. But my mom loves cars and has always wanted someone to rent her a red convertible. Well, lest you are ever in the market for red convertibles, in SW Florida, good luck. They’re nearly impossible to find. We did manage the convertible part, but not the red part. Still, when she showed up to pick up her car, the lovely people at AVIS upgraded her to an even fancier little convertible sports car. She had the best week, tooling around the beaches and islands of SW Florida in that thing. She probably sent us three e-mails and called multiple times, thanking us so much for the wonderful gift.
Since my mom is a born again Xtian, and I’m …… not, we’ve had a rocky relationship. Renting this woman who has had so little comfort in her life, as strange as it may sound, has helped to repair our relationship. My only regret? that my dad couldn’t share the gift with her.
Amy Said,
December 10, 2008 @ 11:47 am
I think the best gift I ever got was a new car for my 35th birthday. Sure, I had to pay for it, but I drove it home on my birthday, so darnit! it’s my present.
Stacy Said,
December 10, 2008 @ 12:41 pm
For the sanity of our household, the GPS I gave to my husband last year. We could get lost going down the street. It has saved us.
Mary Parker Said,
December 10, 2008 @ 12:56 pm
One christmas my siblings and I did not think we were getting anything for Christmas b/c of financial reasons. We took it upon ourselves to wrap up our favorite toys and give these to each other. I tear up just thinking about it. My sister gave me this Barbie ski cabin thing that folded up like suitcase. She totally cherished this thing. One brother wrapped up a box of his legos and gave it to the other. It was so touching. Amazingly on this Christmas my parents totally surpised us and there was a tree full of stuff on Christmas morning. But honestly I treasured that Barbie ski cabin most of all.
joanna Said,
December 10, 2008 @ 4:45 pm
When my husband-to-be and I first decided to get married, an engagement ring wasn’t a financial possibility. He happened to be taking a jewelry-making class at the time. Using lapis - September’s other birthstone - he made me a ring. The stone was small and rough, the setting uneven, and the band crooked and unpolished…. the most beautiful ring I have ever had the priviledge to place on my finger.
Teresa Said,
December 10, 2008 @ 11:48 pm
Nice bags! Who needs luggage?
Bad Hippie Said,
December 11, 2008 @ 11:00 am
My now-husband proposed three years ago, on Christmas Eve. But the best part was that he got my then-10-year old involved in the process…they hung out that day, made dinner for us all, cleaned up, and boxed up the ring together. It was awesome. No one can top that gift.
The best gift I gave? I’m not sure. People like suprising things! I hope the stuff I’ve knitted for folks over the years means something.
Frances Said,
December 11, 2008 @ 3:15 pm
Last year for my birthday all three of my sisters came together in Ohio and rented a cabin in the Hocking Hills for a long weekend. No kids, no husbands, no housework - lots of games and movies and catching up and hot tubbing and cold beverages and being together. That was the best present ever.
Queen of the Click Said,
December 11, 2008 @ 4:58 pm
The best gift I was given was a package from a great aunt soon after I was engaged. Inside was simple items that belonged to women in my family (my great grandmother, grandmother and great aunt). A small vase, some martini glasses and a plastic mistletoe ornament. It wasn’t really the items that mattered, it was the note that came with the items. “These are some gifts from women in your family who have been successful in love and marriage. Use the vase to hold flowers, but remember you can buy them yourself and still be happy. Drink cocktails with your friends when your marriage isn’t as well as you hoped for. Kiss and makeup under this mistletoe as it was always lucky your your Uncle Joe and I.”
My Great Aunt and Uncle were married 50 years. The mistletoe hangs in my home and I kiss my sweetie under it almost everyday.
CatrinkaS Said,
December 11, 2008 @ 6:06 pm
I want the dress. I do. But I suspect “Queen of the Click” just won this one. I teared up.
Christina Said,
December 12, 2008 @ 2:09 pm
One of the best gifts I’ve ever received arrived yesterday. It was a holiday card, with no return address or signature, and $100 enclosed. I have no idea who it was from, but that simple random act of kindness really touched me, and has given me the ability to help others. I’m now investing a large portion of that gift into buying diapers and formula for our local YWCA family shelter because they’re dangerously short on these items.
The best gift I’ve ever given would be the gift of forgiveness. Before we married, my husband did something stupid just months before our wedding that really hurt my feelings and made me question if he was the one I should marry. I won’t go into the long, boring details, but he did his best to win me back, and I decided to swallow my bruised pride, take a leap of trust and forgive him. When he looks at the two beautiful daughters we’ve created, he’s reminded of my gift and often tells me how grateful he is that I gave him a chance to amend his wrongs.
Mocha Momma » Ira Glass Will Fit Neatly In My Purse Said,
December 13, 2008 @ 4:36 pm
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i’m a winner, baby!! | Said,
December 16, 2008 @ 2:19 pm
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