Artemis Windsong
Senior Associate
The love in me salutes the love in you. M. Williamson
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 19:32:12 GMT -5
Posts: 12,347
Today's Mood: Twinkling
Location: Wishing Star
Favorite Drink: Fresh, clean cold bottled water.
|
Post by Artemis Windsong on Dec 17, 2013 19:23:33 GMT -5
What was your best gift ever? Do you still have it? Is it usable?
|
|
thyme4change
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 26, 2010 13:54:08 GMT -5
Posts: 40,470
|
Post by thyme4change on Dec 17, 2013 20:56:13 GMT -5
I just put the corollary to this thread on YMOT - didn't see this first. LOL, sorry about that.
As for the best gifts I've gotten - they are mostly wedding gifts, or something I asked for my wedding, but didn't get, so my mom or my sisters bought it for me for Christmas (6 weeks later.) I still use my daily stoneware, even though it might as well say "I bought this in 1997" printed right across the middle.
I have a nambe bowl that I use constantly.
Oh - one year my mom gave me the spaghetti insert for my big pot - I use that thing every week, or twice a week, or three times per week (yeah - I love pasta - screw you gluten/carb free people!)
And one year my dad gave me an ice bucket that I use every single time I entertain.
So, I guess kitchen stuff.
|
|
Opti
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 10:45:38 GMT -5
Posts: 39,847
Location: New Jersey
Mini-Profile Name Color: c28523
Mini-Profile Text Color: 990033
|
Post by Opti on Dec 17, 2013 21:09:14 GMT -5
I'm not sure what I'd rate as number 1. One of my best gifts I asked specifically for and the only real surprise was that it was monogrammed. Land's End used to make this carryon that fit under most airline seats and it could be carried by its handles or had a strap so you could wear it like a very large messenger bag. It was a softcase with no wheels so it was light and eminently stuffable. It also was designed with a outside pocket for your plane ticket and had a one or two inch deep zipper "pocket" in the front that was great for items you wanted to access easily like say reading materials for a flight. My XH loved it and used it on business trips and my longtime BF talked me out of it as he was quite taken by it even though by then one of the zipper pulls had seen better days. I miss it and sometimes wish I hadn't traded it away and tried to get Land's End to fix it. I had it for roughly 15 years.
My other great gift was a request, but my sisters did all the legwork so from that perspective it may have been the best gift ever. I asked for a black leather fanny pack of a certain size and they found one better than any I had contemplated. I had it for a long time but it finally wore out. My replacement, which I found is not as nice.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Jun 2, 2024 3:10:00 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2013 21:18:58 GMT -5
The Keurig the girls got me for my birthday this year. Not only do I love it for itself, but I know it was a solid outlay of cash for them. It gives me a warm fuzzy that they were willing to spend that much of their hard earned money on me.
|
|
Jaguar
Administrator
Fear does not stop death. It stops life.
Joined: Dec 20, 2011 6:07:45 GMT -5
Posts: 50,108
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"https://cdn.nickpic.host/images/IZlZ65.jpg","color":""}
Mini-Profile Text Color: 290066
|
Post by Jaguar on Dec 17, 2013 21:34:37 GMT -5
The best gift I've received every year is spending Christmas with the people I love. Material things I can get myself any time I want, but loving memories are priceless.
|
|
ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ
Community Leader
♡ ♡ BᏋՆᎥᏋᏉᏋ ♡ ♡
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 16:12:51 GMT -5
Posts: 43,130
Location: Inside POM's Head
Favorite Drink: Chilled White Zin
|
Post by ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ on Dec 17, 2013 21:58:53 GMT -5
Probably the diamond pendant I got for a 25th Anniversary gift.
But my favorite gift is from childhood. My mom spent months making me a Christmas present (usually working on it while I was at school or sleeping).
It was hand-made/sewn Raggedy Ann & Andy dolls - complete with clothing - and red wool hair.
They were far superior to the crapola you find in stores now - and I kept them through my teens & into my marriage/new home.
I eventually gave them to a niece when she was little - and now her little girl has them.
I also had a little wooden chair that my dad built - that went to another child in the family. Those hand-made gifts made with love when I was a kid were the best - and were always exciting to receive.
Most of my wedding gifts were only used for special occasions - serving trays, fancy crystal, the good china & silver etc - that mostly stays tucked away in the dining room hutch and never comes out much for use - except on special occasions.
To me, it's never been about the $$ value of an item - it's about the thought & time that went into it..
|
|
mollyanna58
Junior Associate
Joined: Jan 5, 2011 13:20:45 GMT -5
Posts: 6,681
|
Post by mollyanna58 on Dec 17, 2013 22:01:06 GMT -5
I think the one I was most touched by is a Hallmark ornament my sister got me a couple of years ago. I sell them on Ebay, and mentioned to my sister that I wanted to go to an ornament signing event that was being held near her home when I visited her in the summer. I had to cancel the trip. My sister, who hates crowds and lines, went to the event, stood in line with the people who were getting 50 ornaments signed, and got a signed ornament for me. She told me I could sell it on Ebay (it was going for around $100.00 signed), but I'll never sell it.
|
|
msventoux
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 12, 2011 22:32:37 GMT -5
Posts: 3,023
|
Post by msventoux on Dec 18, 2013 0:30:12 GMT -5
Is it kinda sad that mine's probably a cordless drill? I asked for one the year I moved into my first house and I've put that thing through it's paces for years doing little projects like hanging curtain rods, putting together furniture, building a dog fence, etc. Other things were a print from a favorite artist and some good quality cookware.
|
|
sesfw
Junior Associate
Today is the first day of the rest of my life
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 15:45:17 GMT -5
Posts: 6,268
|
Post by sesfw on Dec 18, 2013 11:16:50 GMT -5
On Mother's Day weekend (1965 ish) DH#1 and went to Sears and bought a Craftsman 10" radial arm saw. Both of us used it for years and he replaced the on/off switch at least 3 times. It's been gone for many years and he got a huge table saw in it's place.
Besides DH#1 (married Jan 7, 1961) being the best gift of all, the saw was a great second place.
|
|
NomoreDramaQ1015
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:26:32 GMT -5
Posts: 47,414
|
Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Dec 18, 2013 11:32:03 GMT -5
My parents couldn't afford a commerical Barbie house for me so my dad built one out of plywood for me and my mom decorated it. I remember being banned from the basement because that's where he was putting it together. Long since fallen apart/degraded. I got a commerical store bought one several years later. One year my parents bought me a bike for Christmas. I am a December baby so I tend to get really practical items and things like bikes wait til summer "when I could use it". My brother is an April baby so he'd get stuff like bikes ON his birthday and I was always super jealous. My parents paid attention and got me a bike even though it sat in the garage for the next four months. The hiking boots DH got me for my trip to Borneo in 2006. I was the only one whose feet weren't covered in batshit after visiting caves. Seriously common sense should tell you not to wear flip flips in a bat cave. Didn't feel sorry for the girls shrieking over being covered in sticky poo. Still have them, I wear them if we go mushroom hunting. Extremely useful.
|
|
greeniis10
Well-Known Member
Joined: May 9, 2012 12:27:09 GMT -5
Posts: 1,833
|
Post by greeniis10 on Dec 18, 2013 11:48:55 GMT -5
I don't know if its his best. But one year I bought hubby a drill press. He said I won't likely ever use that. But every time I turn around he is. He told me one day he was really surprised at all the uses he found for it. Made me happy.
He wants a Pony 4 Acetylene set this year but we have to go together as I can't lift it and costs to much to have delivered.
He is getting me a small 10 X 10 greenhouse this year. I'm excited. WOW - a greenhouse would be awesome! What are you planning on growing: food, flowers, or both?
|
|
wyouser
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 16:35:20 GMT -5
Posts: 12,126
|
Post by wyouser on Dec 18, 2013 12:06:11 GMT -5
This is gonna reveal the second childhood creeping back up on me....but...it has to be the Lionel electric train I got in 1957. I still have it. It still runs. Sorry, but the box died decades ago.
|
|
Sunnyday
Well-Known Member
Joined: Aug 3, 2013 0:36:39 GMT -5
Posts: 1,425
|
Post by Sunnyday on Dec 18, 2013 12:13:59 GMT -5
We didn't get gifts as children, but my nicest surprise gift (spontaneous) as an adult was a ticket to see my favorite singer. Completely out of the blue! I was so so happy that day. Now, I'm getting teary eyed. I forget sometimes how much of a good man I have.
|
|
ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ
Community Leader
♡ ♡ BᏋՆᎥᏋᏉᏋ ♡ ♡
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 16:12:51 GMT -5
Posts: 43,130
Location: Inside POM's Head
Favorite Drink: Chilled White Zin
|
Post by ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ on Dec 18, 2013 12:15:22 GMT -5
Those trains were cool. My brothers had one.
And one of my brothers (as an adult) became a dispatcher for a Railway here. The Lionel train is still alive & running - and it has the light in the front of the Engine.
|
|
The Captain
Junior Associate
Hugs are good...
Joined: Jan 4, 2011 16:21:23 GMT -5
Posts: 8,717
Location: State of confusion
Favorite Drink: Whinnnne
|
Post by The Captain on Dec 18, 2013 13:48:45 GMT -5
It was for Valentines one year before DD was born. DH spent a LOT of time setting up a really creative scavenger hunt for me. Left the first card/clue on my windshield at work (I was not expecting it). Step one - drive to Starbucks at corner of so and so, pick up big drink and ask for envelope etc.
Drink was pre-paid, envelope had a gift card and instructions for the next stop.
By the time I arrived at the hotel (where he had a room booked with a jacuzzi) I had flowers, perfume, coffee, and chocolate. There was champaign on ice in a bucket. We went to a dance that night and ordered in room service, just the two of us.
This was during one of my busy seasons so very much appreciated!
|
|
Jaguar
Administrator
Fear does not stop death. It stops life.
Joined: Dec 20, 2011 6:07:45 GMT -5
Posts: 50,108
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"https://cdn.nickpic.host/images/IZlZ65.jpg","color":""}
Mini-Profile Text Color: 290066
|
Post by Jaguar on Dec 18, 2013 14:09:18 GMT -5
I spent the day on a really crappy subway line, so had time to reflect on my late sister's and my mum's last Christmas with us. I miss them both so much.
|
|
Artemis Windsong
Senior Associate
The love in me salutes the love in you. M. Williamson
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 19:32:12 GMT -5
Posts: 12,347
Today's Mood: Twinkling
Location: Wishing Star
Favorite Drink: Fresh, clean cold bottled water.
|
Post by Artemis Windsong on Dec 18, 2013 17:55:59 GMT -5
My condolences, Sugi. I would have "liked" your post but it's hard to like someone's sorrow. This is the time of year when we really miss our departed loved ones. I have done some reflecting, also.
|
|
Artemis Windsong
Senior Associate
The love in me salutes the love in you. M. Williamson
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 19:32:12 GMT -5
Posts: 12,347
Today's Mood: Twinkling
Location: Wishing Star
Favorite Drink: Fresh, clean cold bottled water.
|
Post by Artemis Windsong on Dec 20, 2013 19:46:10 GMT -5
My GrS best gift ever was an archery bow, arrows and case. He spends many evenings target shooting and got several of his friends interested. Anything to get them off those video games and out of the bar. For me, the one thing that comes to mind is the brilliant starry sky at night. I need to reflect more on what someone gave me.
|
|