On the Fifth Day of a Feminine Christmas

Is anybody home?  Apparently we are because we are doing most of our Christmas shopping online this year.  I know I am.  Amazon is dropping by almost every day right now.

But I did something odd yesterday.  Instead of buying a toy on Amazon, I drove to a brick and mortar bookstore to buy the toy.  The reason was that it was $40 cheaper and that savings made enough of a difference to make a trip over two bridges just before a snow squall kicked up.  When I told Amazon my plans, I was given a supply and demand lesson.

I love giving small meaningful presents to the people I love.  I also love wrapping the items with them in mind.  Wrapped presents become part of the Christmas decor when they finally land under the tree and it’s nice to listen to Christmas carols while wrapping.  This year, I was very good – I didn’t overspend and I only bought one or two items for each person.  And whenever I could, I asked them what they wanted and this made all the difference too.  My daughter even set up a ‘”wish list” for my little granddaughter and since Mommy knows best, I selected from there.  I may have thrown in a trinket or two but it’s so satisfying to buy something for someone when you have surety that they will love it.

Our local radio station is running ads for a jewelry store that specializes in diamonds.  The ads are appalling to me because they depict feckless husbands who originally bought their wives vacuums and toasters and were then banned from the house.  Sheepishly, they show up on at the jewelry store to buy a diamond bracelet or pair of gold earrings.  On one hand, I feel sorry for the husbands who thought they were doing the right thing by buying a small appliance and on the other hand I feel sorry for the wives who  may have had stars in their eyes for an expensive piece of jewelry.  I think most husbands today know enough not to buy vacuums for Christmas but what do women really want?

This woman would prefer a thoughtful book with a pretty cover…of poems, or essays or on a subject I like to read about.  Or I would like a nice cozy pair of winter slippers.  Here, the bearer would be offering comfort and what price is that?  I might also want a box of a new herbal tea, a tube of luxe handcream, or a small silver picture frame.  If only some men realized you neither have to buy a housewife’s appliance or a costly piece of jewelry.  You just have to think and ponder about your beloved and soon the perfect small token will come to you.  I’ve even helped a few husbands buy things for their wives.  Case in point, I selected a dear heart-shaped tray for my brother-in-law to give my sister one year.  He hadn’t noticed how much she loves hearts and not just on Valentine’s Day.

Gift giving can be treacherous but if everyone calmed down, the perfect gift may just show itself.  Or you can ask.  Or ask for a list of things to choose from.  Or you can go with your listening heart and buy that small precious keepsake that says, “I get you”.

My  mother has always identified with the minx known as Eloise from the Plaza, by Kay Thompson.  This year I bought her the 60th anniversary edition of the children’s book.  At first, you might wonder what an 80-something year old woman would want with a children’s book.  But I think she’ll love that I recognized and honored that scrapper of a little girl that still lives inside her.

Have you conjured up a perfect gift for someone?