The Holidays are rapidly approaching and some of us are beginning to wonder two things: “What do I want for Christmas?” and “What do I need to buy for Christmas?”
As I sit here, I have just decided I want a housekeeper. While pulling out the keyboard tray to write this column, I discovered the initials of my youngest child (who happens to be 15) written boldly in the dust.
It comes as no surprise that cleaning the dust never occurred to him. What worries me is that finding his initials put a smile on my face and made me laugh. I’m still trying to decide if I should clean them or leave them for future amusement.
I am going to do my best Oprah Winfrey impression and share with you my “favorite things.” Wouldn’t it be great if I, like Oprah, could give you my “favorite things?” Unfortunately, I took a look at my bank statement and I’m a few million short. So “sharing’ in writing is my only option.
My goal is to give a few gift suggestions to make your Christmas shopping a little easier. Also you might want to highlight certain sections and then leave the list laying around for your family to find.
Let me get a little more specific and translate what I mean by “laying around.” Tape it to the bathroom mirror and leave a note that says “Christmas is coming soon!” Then, if you are lucky, your husband or children will get a clue that “Hey, Mom would probably like this for Christmas.”
If you are taping it to a teenager’s mirror, the only hope for any response is to tape a $10 or $20 bill to the mirror as well. Don’t be too disappointed if your child does not make the connection. There are medical reports that assert the teenage brain can have a few wires crossed from time to time. In my house it is most of the time.
The good news is they will think you are the coolest mom for leaving them money tape to the bathroom mirror. That is, until you ask them to take out the trash, feed the dog, or clean their room. Then the world will suddenly “right itself” and you will go back to being “the only mom they know who makes her kids do chores.”
By now, there should be a few of you asking, “Didn’t she say she was going to tell us about her favorite things?” Yes, I did. So here we go.
My most favorite “favorite thing” right now is the Microplane Foot File. When I say no woman (especially those with feet that can sand wood) should be without this tool, I am not exaggerating!!! It is incredible.
I know some of you are thinking, “I have tried every foot gadget out there and they are all the same.” I am telling you, based on my superior (okay, average) reputation that this one is different. It actually works!!!
To go along with the Microplane Foot File you must buy Kerasal ointment to put on your feet. You can find this at drug stores and discount stores. Do not get the lotion. Make sure it is the ointment. You will definitely need to stress this to your husband or children and hope they remember. (I have told so many people about these items that Microplane and Kerasal should employ me as a spokesperson.)
Because of these two great products, I no longer have to get a pedicure — which also happens to be one of my “favorite things.” Now I get them because I love to have my feet rubbed.
A few more “favorite things” that would make great gifts to give or get include; Lindt Chocolate Truffles, Kroger “Butterfinger” Ice Cream, Bath & Body Works “Gardenia Lily” Body Lotion, The Good Home Co. “Beach House” Sheet Spray, tickets to Razorback games (with “good seats”) and finally another new amazing find — Burt’s Bees “Lip Shimmer” Lip Balm.
The lip balm comes in several different colors and I want one of every color in my stocking. You would think that is enough of a hint, but with my guys you never know.
I had a few more of my “favorite things” that I was going to share with you then I realized they were cleaning products. What woman wants cleaning products under the tree or in her stocking?
Now that I think about it, I could actually name a few. I’m still going to wait and reveal these goodies in a story about spring cleaning after the Holidays.
And, I’ve decided to leave my son’s initials in the dust until after the Holidays as well. Besides putting a smile on my face they will remind me of my “favorite things” that no amount of money can obtain:
“Faith, Hope and Love, but the greatest of these is Love.”
Shopping made easy: Give’em list, money
