MySpace-November 1, 2009-Christmas List

Every year, my mom asks me what I want for Christmas. Every year, she declares me too old for a Christmas list. Yet, still, two weeks later or so, she asks me for one. As an adult, I don’t think that asking for things (most things) outright, is very nice. I think that as an adult, other adult present givers should be able to think of things that the present receiver likes and gets something that fits accordingly. If I was getting a present for my friend Amberle, I know the exact things that she likes and could get a present for her. I think in fact, I’ve given her some rather nice presents in the past couple of years.

This year instead of flat out writing a Christmas list, I am going to instead write a list of things that I like and like to do. Of course, I have some exceptions that will make it on a list list. My friends and family that intend on buying me presents should perhaps compare notes. Does this come off sounding greedy or spoiled? Maybe.  But really, wouldn’t everyone rather have a present that they like rather than one that was crappy. Now if someone obviously put a lot of thought or work into an unrequested gift, then that’s totally cool and should be respected as such.

I also thought that since Joe is so hard to shop for that I would help everyone out there too. Honestly, I don’t think he reads my blog very much so I feel confident about putting out present ideas. Even if he did, I probably already told him about everything on the list. But talk to me first about these things, since I still have to buy Joe some presents too.

This is my list for Joe-

Pillows (He likes firm ones. The ones that he is currently sleeping on are gross!)
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies  (It’s a book. He likes to read and loves zombies.)
Rock Band  for XBOX 360 (Who am I kidding? Its really for both of us. And that way we can invite over our  (my) friends  and have ‘game’ nights. Of course, his XBOX has been rather finicky lately.)
GPS
Joe loves his dog. I think he would like a Milkbone cookie jar with Mary’s picture on it. (I have the order form and needed UPC codes.)
Cookbooks-esp. anything Good Eats/Alton Brown (But he has the first Alton Brown one-I’m Just Here For the Food.?)

As for me-

One of the few things that I am going to outright ask for is a digital camera. I always feel guilty that I don’t take more pictures. But I have been using Joe’s camera since we started dating. So here are the criteria for a camera for me-small (so I can put it in a pocket or purse), fast (so I can whip it out and take celebrity photos at a moments notice), easy to use (I’m a dummy.) and if possible, a cool color (maybe red, blue or dark purple).

I collect old (pre-WWII) veterinary and dairy text books. ( I have about 10. I can send you a list of titles and copyright dates if needed.)

I still like to write letters. (This is another one that I’m going to just lay it out there for. I need a small and interesting address book and some stationary.)

One of my favorite books as a child was The Patchwork Quilt by Adele de Leeuw. (Its an expensive, out of print book so I’m not really expecting it.)

Even though I am graduating from vet school in May, there are still lots of things that I don’t know. So I need some more veterinary textbooks. In particular, some about large/food animal surgery and food/large animal medicine. Ones that include equine would be well received. I think there’s a book fair this week at school so someone could just give me $200 or so and I can get some myself!

I like Asian things. (Maybe Jeremy Otto can win over my affection this way.)

I love ultra fine tip Sharpie markers.

 I like to do crafts, art, bake/decorate cakes and sew. (Thus I love Hobby Lobby.)

I like to buy clothes until my self esteem is crushed or I realize I have no money, at which point I feel really guilty. (My favorite stores are Penney’s, Kohl’s and Target.)

I like to read.

I like old, original photos and/or ads of dairy cattle, Shetland ponies, horses, etc.

I like odd, kitschy things like Western horse clocks from the '60s, phrenology busts, vintage horse paint by numbers, and vintage mah jong sets.(E-bay is awesome for this sort of stuff.  Check out the links.)

Like I said before (or did I), these are suggestions (for the most part) of things that I like that should get your mind rolling with ideas. Good luck!

[EDIT-Originally published to Blogger-11/2/11]