Favorite Christmas Sites

Christmas is just around the corner! Are you ready yet?

I'm about 70% ready. My cards are addressed; just waiting for the group to get together for the family snapshot. Many of the gifts are purchased, and those that aren't are noted. Am I making you sick? Yeah, I know. I'm a geek.

Well here's how I do it. I think about Christmas all year long. When someone comments on an item of desire, I go home and note it in my "Christmas notebook." Wherever I go, I'm on the lookout for things that might appeal to someone on my list. But one of the real tricks is something my sister-in-law and I decided everyone in our family needed to do:

collect something.

Since their family lives in another state, they all journey to our house for Thanksgiving. We then celebrate two holidays: Turkey Day and Christmas. Thus the need for many gifts to be bought and wrapped by November. But we all look forward to this event, especially now that there are young nieces and nephews to add to the excitement. I set up our tacky little fiber optic Christmas tree and pile the gifts underneath it. I like to watch people open the gifts I give; it's my favorite part.

We like to give things that folks wouldn't go out and buy for themselves. My brother-in-law gets a gaudy December Diamonds fish ornament. My sister-in-law likes the Tika Hasslock Seafood Celebration dinnerware. We give my son-in-law a S'mores ornament; they have special meaning. One niece collects Snowbabies. One nephew is a Harley rider like my better half. Some little nieces like American Girls. A nephew likes anything baseball. I collect snowmen. Our daughter collects many things: snowmen, Ice Fellas, Pfaltzgraff Winterberry. Another nephew loves to read. I have a friend who collects monkeys; another who I have decided needs to collect flamingos. This makes gift giving so much easier.

When our children were born, we began giving them a Hallmark collector ornament every Christmas. This way, they have their own decorations when they leave the nest. We've continued this tradition with our nieces and nephews: one gets a Noah's Ark ornament; others get a snowman, a gingerbread, or a Santa ornament. They will always know that their aunt and uncle gave them this collection.

In the summer, I type my list of recipients and note suggestions for gifts. Once the gift is purchased, it is typed in red, and the receipt is inserted in an envelope attached to the notebook. I keep these lists every year for reference, so I don't duplicate anything.

Most of my shopping is done online. If you watch Ebay, you can get some really good deals. Ditto for certain online stores. You can find nearly anything you want on the Internet if you're patient enough. Here are some interesting Christmas decor sites:

www.linmartreasures.com
S'mores, Ice Fellas, Candyland, Willow Tree, bird feeders, welcome flags, home decor, animals

www.simplychristmas.com
December Diamond ornaments, S'mores, Pipka, Charming Tails, Holly Twig Lane

www.bestwishesofboca.com
Lenox ornaments and china, Radko, Lladro, Precious Moments, Swarovski, Top Dogs, Spode

www.tistheseason.net
December Diamonds, Christopher Radko, Dept. 56 Krinkles, Willow Tree, sanddollar ornaments

www.laraines.com
December Diamonds, Dept. 56, novelty aprons & cover-ups, flamingos, mermaids

www.bronners.net
Christmas decor, lights, ornaments, gifts, personalized items, outdoor decor, stocking stuffers

www.Christmasplace.com
a little bit of everything

for Lenox collectors, you can actually go to the Lenox site and see what's new: www.lenox.com

for American Girl collectors, you can sometimes find brand new items on eBay, but you have to read the descriptions very carefully and know what should come in the package. The best deals are on the American Girl page itself, www.AmericanGirl.com, under the sales. Otherwise, things are pricey.

Tika Hasslock is a designer from New Orleans who creates very unique dinnerware and other items. They have a terrific pink flamingo line, too. My favorite shop is Cameron's Corner.

If you like Madame Alexander dolls (and I do!!!), I have many favorite sites, but here are probably the most inexpensively priced with the largest inventories: www.matildadolls.com and www.twodaydreamers.com. Here again, if you have the time and the patience, some of your best deals will be found on eBay.

If you're looking for small electronics, read the reviews on cnet.com first. It's a good site to learn what you need to look for, and it can link you to comparison shopping sites. Ditto with zdnet.com.

I order my Christmas cards later in the year when Current has theirs on sale. I use Avery labels and save the addresses as a word document. I cross check the return addresses on the cards I receive to make sure I have the correct ones, and I update my address book and the labels all throughout the year. Come fall, I'm ready to print.

Of course, www.Amazon.com has a lot more than books now.

The fun part of all this is the chase for the lowest price. As I mentioned before, if you have the time to be patient, you can find just the right gift at just the right price. This can't happen, however, if you wait until Christmas Eve to do your shopping. Like some gentlemen we know and love.

Happy Holidays!

The Pleasure Was Mine

You know you've read a good book when you feel a sense of desertion once you finish the last page. The characters have become your friends, and now they won't be telling you any more about their lives. I just finished one of those books.

The Pleasure Was Mine by Tommy Hays is an easy read, rich with characters and scenery. Hays lives in Asheville, NC, so he's very familiar with the Blue Ridge Mountains and Greenville, SC where the story takes place.

As the main character, Prate Marshbanks' demeanor brings to my mind similar characteristics of my father-in-law. I can just see him trying to be gruff and austere, when in reality, his heart is as soft and pure as gold. Prate's wife, Irene, who is the love of his life, is newly diagnosed with Alzheimer's as we meet them both.

In short order, we are introduced to Prate's and Irene's son, Newell, who is no stranger to tragedy. His wife and unborn child had been killed in an automobile accident leaving him to raise their son, Jackson, who was 5 at the time. The story begins 4 years later when Newell, a successful artist, has an opportunity for a fellowship at a nearby college for the summer, and he needs for Jackson to stay with his curmudgeonly grandfather for the duration.

That summer is a time of healing for all three fathers and sons. Watching this take place gives the reader an insight into the human heart and its capacity for love. Hays adeptly interweaves the hurts with successes and wit as the family, along with their neighbor, come to accept their fates, their needs, and their strengths. Irene, despite her illness, turns out to be the catalyst.

This is such a good read. It will give you pause to realize how precious are those we love. It will serve as a reminder to enjoy and appreciate them while we have them. It will do both of these things without being morose or sad. While missing the new friends you've made, you will also share their hope and anticipation for a happy future.