Show us your presents.

[Stilletto_Rebel]

My wife said I had been good this year...

Whatever it is you're good at, keep doing it!!

[cessna152towser]

Well until I read Hamish's post I was not going to contribute to this thread.
The only Christmas present which I received was a gift voucher for a local food store, from the agency through whom I employ domestic help one afternoon per week.
I used it to buy some pre-packed pre-cooked meals to put in the freezer for eating over the next few days.

Throughout the year friends and extended family have given generously to me, gifts, hospitality, companionship, etc.. I expect nothing from them at Christmas, this is my opportunity to have the joy of giving something in return. I enjoyed choosing, wrapping and sending presents to several people who had hosted me during the year. I bought gifts for Ann who is no longer able to choose gifts, I sent money to my daughter because she is going through a bad patch. I have taken great pleasure from all the thankyou e-mails I have received from gift recipients over the past three days. I'd have been embarrassed if any of these people had sent me Christmas gifts, they have already given me plenty of kindness, friendship and hospitality during the past year.

[PEEDYC]

I got a T Shirt from my daughter which reads "Don't abuse alcohol. Just Drink It" I think she knows me.

[Hamish]

So--Hamish, what was your chairty of choice? My wife and I like Kiva and have had a donation given in our name (and given for others) for the last couple of years. Nice to see them at the top of the page here--not preachy/soap boxy at all...Merry Christmas!

Hi Doug,

My number one charity is our nearest hospice (St. Barnabas Hospice in Worthing) where, fourteen years ago, my partner received amazingly loving care, given tirelessly over several months. The help and support given to me at that time was also exceptional. St. Barnabas will therefore always be at the top of my list. The British Legion and two childrens' charities are also on my list.

By the way, the Kiva website seems to be inaccessible at the moment!

Take care,
Ham.

[DougC]

Great List with special meaning. And, I noticed that about the Kiva link last night. But, the site was working when I googled.

Hope you have a fantastic new year!

[Heming]

Quite a number of years ago, we decided to notify everyone with whom we exchanged presents that we would, from that date, stop giving them and would instead make donations to nominated charities to the value that we might have spent on our family and friends - and hoped that they would do the same.

I've had the same practice for the last five years. This year's charity of choice was "Erlik Oslo", a local charity that provides honest work and honest income for homeless people in Oslo.

[Alan H]

Piper George is a nice guy!

[Coinneach]

I got a few things -- we try our best to not go overboard -- but the best gift of all was just getting to spend the holidays at home.

[Tattoo Bradley]

I did recieve the jersey I had been drooling over for quite sometime from my parents. It's a phenomenal reproduction and I wish I could wear it every day. lol.



I also received a great pair of shoes from my mother-in-law. The wife knew I wanted them and put the bug in her ear.



The biggest surprise though was a leather sofa for our previously unfurnished sun room. Her mother and grandmother got together and it was delivered on Christmas Eve. What a shocker it was!

[Tattoo Bradley]

I was lucky enough to receive both an iPod touch and Dr. Dre Beats headphones by Monster from my parents. I needed both to keep me sane through my last year at university... was about to buy them both for myself so this was a very nice surprise

Cool!
I have an iPod Touch that I pair with Bose on-ear headphones (full "over ear" just do not work with my earlobes )