I’m frustrating Adam because I won’t tell him what I want for Christmas. He wants me to make it easy for him. I want this book _________________. This CD ___________________. This belt _________________. These shoes ______________.
I think that’s cheating. I think part of the fun is spending time figuring out just the right gift. He doesn’t think so. In fact he doesn’t think so so much that he’s given me a list a mile long of “gifts” that I can give him. He wants a food processor, a new chef’s knife, a new industrial size mixer, a knife block, Patti Lapone’s biography, Carol Burnett’s biography. It’s not going to be any fun if I HAVE to get him things on his list.
I actually have two things picked out for him. Three actually. Two are for sure. One is a maybe. It really depends on whether he is good or not.
As for me. He wants to buy me an Ipod. Or an I-Pad. What will I do with an Ipad. I’ll let him use it to read the Times on the way to work every morning. As for a new Ipod, I use my Ipod exactly four times a week. Once each day on the trip downtown to work. I read coming home so it’s not used on the return trip. It’s six years old and for the most part it works fine. It’s frozen a couple of times lately. And the battery life is shot. But it’s perfect for me. I’d rather have something else.
I told him the same thing my mom used to say to me when I asked her what she wanted for Christmas:
“I just want you boys to be good this year.”
I just want him to be good this year. And do what he’s told. And tow the line.
All kidding aside, I don’t know what I want. I need a bunch of stuff but it doesn’t make for fun Xmas gifts. I need new work shoes. And work pants. New underwear. New socks. Not much fun.
Any of you guys out there have any ideas for me to give him. If I don’t find something I’ll end up with a new food processor or industrial size mixer wrapped up under the tree from him to me.
A Maddog In The City 
Christmas gift giving has always been an issue with me. When I was very young and much more “in the spirit”, it was fun, but I had no money to buy anything. Now I’m older and jaded and its lost its luster and meaning. For myself I really, truly, seriously do not need anything – especially any *thing*. I’ve got a house crammed with things that I need to get rid of, not collect more of. But well-meaning folks will buy me things that I do not need or cannot/will not use. I’m with your mom.
I can’t think of anything I want or need for Christmas, nothing that can be bought anyway. I want to manage my time better and learn how to effectively prioritize. I need new undergarments, but don’t want anyone else to buy them for me. Hell, *I* don’t want to buy them for me, which is why I still need them.
My mother is good at picking out gifts that people will like. I haven’t given the dear woman a Christmas/birthday/Mother’s Day gift in a few years. I’m such a dud.
As for you and Adam, I sympathize with him. I’m lucky that Superman doesn’t want anything.
my family uses the ‘list of ideas’ as without most of us would be clueless. So I emphasize with adam on this one !