tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post7284359159335309666..comments2024-01-11T18:39:50.665+00:00Comments on Painting With Shadows: A Pre-Xmas QuestionKim Ayreshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02656677501116622953noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-46529472748307605092009-12-25T11:36:18.800+00:002009-12-25T11:36:18.800+00:00A little late for X-mas shopping, but perhaps will...A little late for X-mas shopping, but perhaps will help with future gift giving...<br /><br />I've been told I'm a great gift giver/shopper. My gift is frequently the favorite for the kids I've shopped for...often for the grown ups too. I sound like I'm bragging...it's not intended.<br /><br />This really only works when you know the person relatively well...<br /><br />I try to get a feel for the recipient...try to think like them if you will. Try to remember anything and everything I've ever seen put a smile on their face. I almost never go with something they have asked for...but may use it as a stepping stone to whatever I do get.<br /><br />I know the gift when I see it/think of it instantly...it just jumps up and down and yells...it's me!! I'm the perfect gift for this person!!<br /><br />As for what I prefer it depends on the giver. Some people have proven themselves incapable of shopping like I do, from them I'd prefer something I've asked for or a gift card for a store they know I like. (I'm an avid reader so a gift card for the bookstore is always a winner!)<br />From others....especially people I'm especially close to...ie the man in my life I want more...<br />I want them to be able to shop like I do...I want them to be able to suprise me with the perfect gift. A few of my x-boyfriends were GREAT at this....sadly most just don't seem to be able to do it. Of course I like whatever they get, because it's from them, but when they get something that means something...that means more to me than anything else. That they know me/get me...not sure how else to explain it.<br /><br />Oh and on the flowers topic...flowers for no reason are great. Not on a regular basis...they are a waste of money, and will be dead within days, but every once in awhile, for no reason will put a great smile on my face. I think it's just a small token of "I was thinking about you today" kinda thing. It doesn't even really have to be flowers...any little thing will do. <br /><br />Hope that helps...<br />MiaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07150245775975833211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-20584584172436883072009-12-25T03:37:21.411+00:002009-12-25T03:37:21.411+00:00Definitely a surpise but something I wanted. This...Definitely a surpise but something I wanted. This is easier than it sounds. As one of your previous commenters noted, study the person and see what they are interested in. To take the time and trouble to really figure out just the right thing to give a loved one is, to me, what gift giving is all about. Anything else is just giving a gift to fulfill an obligation. <br /><br />It has only happened to me a few times in my life that I was truly surprised with a gift that I wanted but I have never forgotten those gifts. I still have them. The other gifts? Long forgotten. Make your gift unforgettable.Ronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161930319264523497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-39721475155237924122009-12-24T16:40:07.332+00:002009-12-24T16:40:07.332+00:00Something I know she wanted, but it won't be a...Something I know she wanted, but it won't be a surpriseKim Ayreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02656677501116622953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-29837489937696972522009-12-24T15:55:21.854+00:002009-12-24T15:55:21.854+00:00So, do tell - what did you finally decide to get h...So, do tell - what did you finally decide to get her?Susan Carpenter Simshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13566372904106529839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-1952930155028505412009-12-24T12:11:18.432+00:002009-12-24T12:11:18.432+00:00Of course she would like a pleasant surprise, but ...Of course she would like a pleasant surprise, but that would mean a surprise AND something she liked. The question is what to do if you have to choose between...Kim Ayreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02656677501116622953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-2435610743821819942009-12-24T12:02:34.476+00:002009-12-24T12:02:34.476+00:00I would still say a woman loves a pleasant surpris...I would still say a woman loves a pleasant surprise any day!asmitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16059031837537150920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-15749678702798825962009-12-23T16:10:29.607+00:002009-12-23T16:10:29.607+00:00If I had to choose it would be to have a gift I wa...If I had to choose it would be to have a gift I wanted, no surprise. that way I am sure I can use it (no waste) and am quite grateful that someone loved me enough to put effort into it for me.Rubyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01395962212127939584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-50795416084317208252009-12-22T15:21:03.496+00:002009-12-22T15:21:03.496+00:00I love to get something I wanted, but that I wasn&...I love to get something I wanted, but that I wasn't expecting to get - and I mean, not AT ALL.<br /><br />As a result, I tend to keep my eyes peeled and ears pricked in the hopes of figuring out my intended gift victim's most obscure desire. I then buy accordingly (if within my means). :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-78327221534960566162009-12-22T14:31:55.979+00:002009-12-22T14:31:55.979+00:00Ok well I meant ask her if she prefers a surprise ...Ok well I meant ask her if she prefers a surprise or something from her list :PChocolatesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08493321160124151967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-50683196678768160372009-12-22T07:27:29.773+00:002009-12-22T07:27:29.773+00:00I guess my suggestion wasn't overly helpful th...I guess my suggestion wasn't overly helpful then :) Still, I would personally choose a practical/wanted gift over the surprise. I know, not too romantic. Maybe you shouldn't listen to me though, because I have asked for a domestic item gift before (I know, sorry), I told my husband specifically NOT to buy me a diamond engagement ring (or anything diamond ever), and I don't get very impressed by flowers. But whatever you'll get her, she will appreciate the effort and the thought, and she will be happy because she will be spending Christmas with you :)erikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03048369118376287016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-51487432091795976392009-12-22T01:48:22.637+00:002009-12-22T01:48:22.637+00:00Wow! Great discussion. It is so varied- my Mom and...Wow! Great discussion. It is so varied- my Mom and Dad still have the same difficulty so many describe after 50 years but don't give up! She's incredibly picky and he occasionally does get the right gift. Perhaps a concert that you'd both go to together with a wonderful dinner? That you cooked if you have the knack? A foot massage gift coupon for monthly foot massages by you? One gift from the list, one on your own that expresses you? It is not a contest- she loves you and you love her. I've seen some beautiful mother/child necklaces/lockets. You are a sweetheart just to try so hard Kim!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-26605133646749318482009-12-22T00:03:23.576+00:002009-12-22T00:03:23.576+00:00of course that's exactly what I do - ask her t...of course that's exactly what I do - ask her to write a list, then pick something. But it means no real surprises.Kim Ayreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02656677501116622953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-28316787745835126012009-12-21T23:51:20.967+00:002009-12-21T23:51:20.967+00:00I haven't read the comments, so sorry if someo...I haven't read the comments, so sorry if someone has already suggested this, but you could ask her to write a list of things she would like, and then you can pick which one to buy for her. This way there will be a little bit of a surprise element, at least :)erikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03048369118376287016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-5416798746077394512009-12-21T21:51:31.757+00:002009-12-21T21:51:31.757+00:00Ask her? Personally I prefer getting something I w...Ask her? Personally I prefer getting something I want.Chocolatesahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08493321160124151967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-74589170849981653002009-12-21T19:04:19.491+00:002009-12-21T19:04:19.491+00:00except for the obvious..for all the wonderful thin...except for the obvious..for all the wonderful things you have said of your wife and the love you both have for one another. And that she knows you the way she does ..anything you were to choose for her, be it surprise or not...she would happily, graciously adore in the spirit of the holiday season.<br /><br />True ? I think so .!!karatemomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04208731490933555532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-49983458107354760742009-12-21T18:35:23.785+00:002009-12-21T18:35:23.785+00:00A wide variety of answers and suggestions - which ...A wide variety of answers and suggestions - which all goes to show there's no definitive answer for this one...Kim Ayreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02656677501116622953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-62394519609707938302009-12-21T02:31:02.123+00:002009-12-21T02:31:02.123+00:00We've both decided that we do not 'want...We've both decided that we do not 'want' anything this year, so have decided to buy something that the whole family can use.<br /><br />But while out in the shops last week I made her try on a biker's jacket, something she would 'never wear', and it looked just fantastic on her. She even said, "this looks fantastic on me, but I would never buy it".<br />('Cos she don't have a bike, and she thinks she' too old! <br /><br />Rubbish!<br /><br />My present problem solved!mapstewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07159592046833798019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-31536368026654350152009-12-21T00:01:38.052+00:002009-12-21T00:01:38.052+00:00I'd rather be surprised.
It tells a lot abou...I'd rather be surprised. <br /><br />It tells a lot about how a person sees me.Maggiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00903678715925613725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-29441815290692285012009-12-20T23:36:33.690+00:002009-12-20T23:36:33.690+00:00That's my boy:)That's my boy:)Pathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01529798893653033970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-72163107921718564782009-12-20T21:20:30.863+00:002009-12-20T21:20:30.863+00:00Re the flowers issue:
At least that one I can tak...Re the flowers issue:<br /><br />At least that one I can take a stab at for you.<br /><br />If you think about it, at least in years past, the most flowers anyone ever got at one time was at..their funeral. Every woman in my family has always sighed at this floral display and said, "Why not give flowers when one is living and can appreciate them?"<br /><br />We appreciate their beauty and your giving them to us. Your complete understanding is not expected to be part of that gift. ;)hopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03306622656461205674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-55307135266422876212009-12-20T20:59:44.923+00:002009-12-20T20:59:44.923+00:00Oh Bearded One - I have to say that I am a little ...Oh Bearded One - I have to say that I am a little bit disappointed. Surely after 19 years, you must know that you can buy her something she wants (which is a prerequisite for getting through the next 19 years)AND surprise her with something as well!! Nothing major - just take over the world for her!!! (I always knew world domination was part of your natural psyche!)Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00693689301853592917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-8164637627748138222009-12-20T20:25:29.246+00:002009-12-20T20:25:29.246+00:00Once I received a bread bin as a present from my h...Once I received a bread bin as a present from my husband, now he sticks to what I would like as a present. I think that unless ytou have been paying very careful attention for hints over the previous months a surprise is best avoided.Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16149826042259197585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-41187062303457296552009-12-20T16:20:40.471+00:002009-12-20T16:20:40.471+00:00Christmas may be long over before this conundrum i...Christmas may be long over before this conundrum is solved, Kim.Charliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00722567671925063706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-67498758465010056482009-12-20T16:19:49.244+00:002009-12-20T16:19:49.244+00:00how about something a bit more creative..using you...how about something a bit more creative..using your predicament as the focus..I picture you creating a really cool card using all your computer talents ..create a cartoon say of just what you said.you purchasing for her a particular gift, your character beaming in anticipation her character some how misinterpretting the gesture..then she turns the page again to find a second cartoon..you have created..these characters that resemble the two of you .<br />going together to a store and her choosing the pefect item of her desire and you beaming..<br />and on the back page is a gift card for that particular store.<br /><br />ta da..!! creative gift..she will love all the time effort and care..AND after christmas you take a romantic day together as she goes to choose that perfect gift with you there to share in the happy moment.!!<br />I would love someone to want to get it right so bad that they went to such lengths.<br />what do you think of something along those lines ?karatemomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04208731490933555532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15322620.post-28475156567309585042009-12-20T15:34:33.292+00:002009-12-20T15:34:33.292+00:00If you would ask me...surprise. Definitely.If you would ask me...surprise. Definitely.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com