Christmas is going to be lovely this year

Monday, November 12, 2007 by Bethany

I mean that with as much sincerity as possible. Last year we were in two-mortgage hell (one home on the market, another just moved into in hopes of a calmer, uninterrupted with house showings holiday) and pockets that were shorter than usual.

For my husband and I, well this meant nothing. We don't buy each other many gifts for the holidays anymore. We do buy gifts (of course!), but usually they are things for the home. The Combined Gifts is what we call them. Personal, individual gifts are saved for birthdays--since well, they are individual days, aren't they? But for our son (and this year an added daughter) it meant we needed to creative.

Santa was as kind as he always is for a kid that had kept his status on the Nice List. But Mom and Dad weren't so lucky. Not that we pile gifts on our son, but at 4 years old, he knows what he likes now. And that is almost everything. We wanted the holiday to be as special as it always was. We had to get creative. That we did.

Creativity came in the form of gift cards. We earn points with our main debit card and boy did we cash in on them. In fact, we cashed in them for Toys R Us gift cards for shopping for The Kiddo, and then found Home Depot cards to fill in for our gifts. Then we had Pier One and a few Best Buy and nationwide restarant cards for family members.

Now don't get your undies in a bundle, we didn't hand out cards on the Holidays (not that there is anything wrong with that. In fact, if you don't know what I like, hand me a gift card. I have no problem shopping for myself). We selected gift cards with a purpose. The first bieng, could we buy something there for a family member--the second, how many points did it take from our 3 year stash of spending points.

The creativity didn't end there. The Kiddo hand-made his gifts for Dad (and me) and the grandmas and grandpas. Not only was that reasonably priced, it was absolutely adorable. My mother (his grandma) has her painted coffee cup next to her every morning. Framed school pictures with a personal note are hung on everyone's walls. And well, he's proud to have created gifts.

This year, I hope we can still use a bit of that creativity. I mean we all know Christmas isn't all about spending money, commercialism, materialism, or any other 'ism you can find. It is about being with family. Celebrating. Love. But, I like to give too. And having one less mortgage to worry about (the more expensive one), makes life easier and less restricted. So, we're going to enjoy it this year. And stock up those spending points for the next time we might need a little help creating something special.

[Yes. I do realize it isn't even Thanksgiving yet and I am discussing Christmas. And gifts. But around here, I need to start Christmas shopping early. This year anyway. I have a newborn. Not to mention the growing holiday crowds which I am growing to hate. So bear with me. Please. At least I am not overhauling the blog in Christmas lights and decorations, right?]

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10:36 AM | | 0 comments

All I Want for Christmas is a Gift Wrap Box

Wednesday, December 20, 2006 by Bethany

I'm a gift-wrapper-lover. The crinkle of the paper, the cutting, the shaping, the re-arranging are just intricacies--it is the different colored papers that have me numb in the fingertips. The sparkles (or not), the artsy drawings, cartoonish characters, the eighteen hundred Santa Claus themes, and the gazillion different types of Christmas trees, lights and snowmen have me all but drooling weeks before the Christmas season even begins. And that doesn't even include all the bows, ribbon, and nifty cardboard cut-outs that can adorn your lovely gifts.

Truth be told, you can have me at the gift wrap--no matter what the present is inside.

But the real truth is that I never had the time to do the gift-wrap hoopla appropriately. I am either running late in purchasing the gift (as in running to the store just before I show up on your doorstep) or late in getting the perfect gift wrapping assortments. Thus, my gift wrap obsession is only one-sided. I only think I can wrap correctly if given the chance--it has only been testing a small handful of times.

This year I swore it would be different. Shopping was done early. Gift wrapping items purchased even earlier (last year's 75% off sale the day after Christmas). I was pre-empting craziness. And trumping my general habit of being almost late to almost everything. When of course, we decided to move our asses to another home.

The gift wrap didn't even arrive in the new homestead until last night. I'd dragged my sorry but to the old home to check on everything and conveniently realized the boxes of wrapping paper were still on the rolls and shrink-wrapped for the last year just waiting for me to dive in and wrap appropriately this year.

But then, even more to my dismay, I am shipping most of my gifts this year. We are staying home for the holidays. Which, for the most part, is so much less stress the wrapping, packing, and driving, that I am almost in tears. But, that also means if I were to wrap-right, well, the bows and paper will be smooshed and crinkled in shipping boxes... and well, not the way it should be. And why would I bother? It is a whole five days away, and I am just shipping them tomorrow (see? the almost late factor again).

So that leave the kiddo's gifts (from mom and dad of course). And well, he just cares that they are wrapped and under the tree. And even then, if I handed them to him in a cardboard box he'd be happy enough. He only cares about what is IN the box after all.

I'm dismal. Crass. And even a bit bitchy. It has been a helluva work week (it always is pre-holiday). And here I drown amidst color bits of paper, ribbons, glitter, and all things called gift-wrap and want nothing more than a girly cry. The sobbing ugly-face cry that makes no one feel comfortable, especially someone that has to witness it. And I want to do it for no reason at all except, that yet again, I can't wrap presents worth a damn and I just can't admit it. And maybe (just maybe) I am a wee bit stressed out about all other things besides this holiday (but am afraid to admit that as well).

So.

I sit.

I whimper.

Sigh.

And then hoist myself to the wrapping hopper and pull out a roll of the some shiny red paper and roll it out in front of me. There is one gift I have yet to wrap. The one present I allowed myself to buy. The lone present for the hubby. The one we agreed not to purchase for the sake of our financial health (two house payments) and because well the actual new house is enough isn't it? But I did anyway. It's small. It's useless. And it really is the thought that counts. But, I'll be damned. I'm gonna wrap this baby right. Right? And at least then, I can feel I did the gift justice. If only in the thoughtful wrapping.

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11:38 PM | | 0 comments

Successing Santa Claus*

Monday, December 04, 2006 by Bethany

Dear Mr. Claus,

It will be a sad state of affairs in the coming months as we all mourn the loss of a true world icon, when you hang up the ole red cap in retirement. Please be sure to celebrate appropriately after this year's Christmas season--as it will be your last. Next year, the holiday season and the Dec 24th all-nighter will be just a memory. One I am sure you will be relishing for years to come. As will Mrs. Claus. She will finally have you all to herself after all these years.

Your most recent announcement has caused quite a stir in the Holiday Mascot circles (I hear the Tooth Fairy through more than a hissy fit. And the Easter Bunny almost lost all his eggs), but be assured--I'm here to help. We're all here to help. And it is in the best interest of all the children of the world, that a successor is chosen as soon as possible. We'll need to make preparations beyond those of logisitics to prepare for next year (marketing campaign, movie re-makes with the new Santa in town, and of course a whole new focus on brand. The Brand of the New Santa). So without further ado, let me list the qualifications I would bring to this position.

First and foremost, I love children. I have one of my own you know. And honestly, I didn't know they could be so much fun (when he isn't pulling a tantrum day. Or when his superhero clothes are all a dirty mess in the hamper). Being a mother, I've become quite attune to the whole being *good* and being *bad* part of childhood. That radar needs to be on full tilt in the Santa position--and who knows children better than a mother?

Secondly, if you've ever been to my house, you'd know. Mom's are extrodinary multi-taskers. Hell, on any given day I have 3 conference calls, a doctor's appointment, lunch, dinner, school project, and work deadline to tackle--and that doesn't even include and emergency vet visit or a hair color I am in desparate need of. We mothers are great at covering it all--and as Santa, that is big part of the job. Isn't it? Even more so than the Dec 24th hoopla.

Speaking of which (and again with the mother thing), I am in desparate need of a night off. And what better to fill it with, than visiting homes of millions and dropping off a few gifts. I know, I know, a night off? But it is. See, I could get bundled up in some red shiny thing, tall heeled boots, get my hair done, make-up, and jump on the old luxury sled--let the deer steer the ride and fancy myself on some wine making pit stops along the way to eat a few cookies and drop off a few presents. In my world, that is a night off. And a wonderful one at that (you do have some wine on that sled don't you?).

Which brings up a valient point-- the male verses female thing. Yes. I'm a woman. So sue me. What I can do about that. It was the way I was born. But I think as far as the "changing of of the Santa Station" this could do a world of good in the new branding efforts. Take a look at it this way, the public will have to get over the fact that your leaving anyway, so why not take it to an even farther level and replace you with a woman? Think of the possibilities!

Oh don't worry about changing the round and jolly image. I got that covered. I am far from model skinny (or even skinny in general) and I got the laugh down. Just ask my husband. Think-- round housewife with a fondness for laughing and wine. See? You have me pegged. And I have you pegged. And it is a perfect match!

Enough with the fashion and looks qualifications. There is so much more I can do for Claus Enterprises. We'll expand your computer networks, hire a few consultants, and farm out some of the services overseas. Isn't that what the rest of corporate America is doing anyway? Then when the new season arrives, we'll hire a few thousand contractors to make up for lost time and get that gift production branch of your business booming (keep you out of the market of shopping at Best Buy and Target for the good stuff) and back on track.

Online we'll brand out as well. We'll get a Santa blog set up, snag you a few posts a day, get some regular readership and maybe get you a side PAYING gig to make a few bucks for the rest of the year. Keep up the Santa hype through the rest of the seasons as well (didn't you know those damn Halloween witches are hacking into some of your decoration territory?).

Look, I can't promise you the world as your successor. Just hard work, a bit of rebranding, and then eventually a well-oiled business that will not only tackle Christmas, but keep you moving into the rest of the year. You and I both know that eventually this one time of year splurging for the holidays can only last so long. So why not make it a year long affair. With a little extra edge mind you. Between you and me, who wouldn't want to see a mother having a good time once a year?

So there you have it. Qualifications, business plans, and even a long term outlook for Claus Enterprises. Is it enough to push you over the edge? Hell, you have 20 days left until the deadline. You sure you don't want to give up the seat early? I work well under pressure.

Sincerely,

Your aspiring successory.... Bethany
a.k.a. mommy writer


*Remember this little post? Yep, it was time to share the exercise in answering a writing prompt. Again, this one was from the WritersDigest.com. You remember it don't you? For the forgetful folk, follow the link, scroll to bottom portion of the post for the details. But, of course, I took liberties. It's my blog isn't it?

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8:33 PM | | 0 comments