I have a pretty incredible family. I try to remind myself of that whenever one of them is getting on my last nerve. My father is a great storyteller who can start a conversation with any human and learn more about them in 5 minutes that most people could in a lifetime. My mother is sharp, always surprising me with her humor and her intensity in regards to politics and sports. My sister has become incredibly focused and determined, and shockingly mellow considering her only son just turned 18. I'm also blessed to have a husband who can do very little wrong (in my opinion), step parents who parent perfectly and a brother-in-law who can grow the most incredible beard in 6 days flat.
Yes, we may be a motley crew, but we're absolutely suited to one another.
Several years ago we all sort of stopped buying Christmas gifts for one another. We've all gotten to the point in our lives where we buy the things we want, indulging ourselves maybe more than we should.
Unfortunately, this doesn't help with the intense burning love I have for finding the perfect gift. Stumbling across an item that I know instinctively someone will love in intoxicating. Watching a loved ones eyes while they open a gift that I know they will love gives me deep satisfaction.
So, this year, instead of shopping in reality, I'm making an imaginary shopping list. It's full of items picked from the amazing collection from Chronicle Books, one of my favorite publishers. I own dozens of Chronicle Books items and they are my go-to for inspiring gifts. As luck would have it, Chronicle Books is feeling generous and has announced their 2nd Annual Happy Haul-idays. Once again they are giving one blogger $500 worth of books.
Of course they couldn't stop there so in addition, one commenter on the winning blog will also receive the same gift. Yes, that means that just by reading and commenting on this blog you could haul in $500 in beautiful books.
Wait, it gets better. Chronicle Books is also giving the charity of the winners choice $500 in books. FIVE. HUNDRED. DOLLARS. In books!
I spent all week thinking about what books I would put on my list, that was the easy part. The hard part was trying to pick a charity. In the end, I decided on my local Toys For Tots. I have seen first hand the impact that Toys For Tots has here locally, serving hundreds of families every years and giving children something to look forward to on Christmas morning. Books are the perfect gift; they open up new worlds, teach new skills, ignite creativity and imaginations. Books have changed my life in the most positive way possible and to gave that gift to another human, well, that's the meaning of Christmas spirit.
So, here's my gift list, I hope you enjoy it. Don't forget to comment on this post and keep your fingers crossed that I'm the winning blogger!
For my Mom, whose big yellow tome of Shakespeare I tried to read, not understanding a single bit of it. And whose polyester pants and wooden clogs I had once hoped t inherit.
For my Dad, who believes that bigger is always better and never met a food that he didn't want to try to grill.
For my Sister, who needs to take a break from all those textbooks.
For my husband, who has the best taste in art prints and has taken me almost everywhere I want to go.
For my step-father, who always has a joke ready.
For my step-mother, who enjoys a good fair, even seeing the hogs.
I hope you've enjoyed my imaginary Christmas shopping list. Don't forget to leave a comment, you could find $500 worth of books under the tree with your name on them!
