posted on Tue Dec 6 2011 at 11:00 pm in category Christmas, #WEverb11
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DECEMBER 6

The Christmas Part

Gifts are tricky.

I really enjoy giving gifts (and getting them, too, of course), but I spend a lot of time fretting about the whole concept of it.

  • I don't want to give someone a present they don't love, because it'll end up in a closet or recycling bin.
  • I don't want to give presents that aren't functional, because then they turn into clutter, and I don't believe in clutter (though I sure practice the hell out of it).
  • I don't want to give food, because everyone's tastes are so different, and I want to be respectful of food allergies.
  • I don't want to give art or music or movies, because I don't want to impose my personal preferences on others.
  • I don't want to give many handmade gifts, because I'm sure a lot of folks aren't really interested in that sort of thing (note: I absolutely am! Handmade gifts are my favorites), and I'm not an especially good crafter anyway.
  • I don't want to give money or gift cards, because that seems so impersonal — giving for the sake of giving, not because you're thinking of someone.

So that all kind of limits my options.

I've been cutting down my Christmas gift list over the last couple years; right now I have approximately six people on it, and four of them are halves of couples. My sister and her wife and I are exchanging gifts, but they must be something from our respective homes that we no longer want or need, and we can't invest more than 30 minutes of time into its procurement and wrapping, and it must have a street value of less than $50, and it can't be a kitty or puppy. So that'll be fun. (I'm thinking a half-used roll of toilet paper. SHHHHH IT'S A SECRET.)

But I miss it! I miss thinking about that person as I try to come up with something I think they'll like. I miss anticipating them opening the gift I chose and grinning in delight (I hope). I miss wrapping oddly-shaped items. I miss making lists and plans; I miss the making and the choosing and the compiling. I miss that particular way of showing someone that I think they're swell.

Of course, it's not like I've given any stellar gifts. Maybe to my sister, because we're so alike that it's easy for me to find something I know she'll enjoy, and to a couple friends over the years. So maybe it's just as well that I haven't been all that into gift-giving lately.

The #WEverb11 Part

Favorite

What was your favorite month of 2011? Why did it beat out all 11 other months?

(via weverb11.com)

My favorite month was November because it's the one I remember best, being the most recent. I have a terrible memory.

November was also the coolest month, temperature-wise. We had a warm autumn, and when the thermometer finally dropped between sixty degrees Fahrenheit for more than two days in a row, I was one happy Ann. And the days were shorter. I love driving home from work in darkness. It feels cozier, somehow. There are fewer visual distractions. In the dark, the world seems a bit smaller, and I like that. (Of course, it rockets back to enormous if you look up at the sky on a clear night, but that's another story.)

Also, I participated in NoShavember with some guys from work (third place wooooo!), which was fun, and I did some Health Month challenges: take the train to work at least three times a week; eat fresh veggies at least four times a week; don't shave. I did pretty well except for the fresh veggies part. Apparently that's a little trickier than I anticipated. (I've continued that particular challenge this month, too, along with getting to bed before midnight at least four times a week and not drinking soda at least three times a week. So far, so good!)

AND I wrote 750 words every day, AND I made four different kinds of cookies, AND there was Thanksgiving and the amazing Indie Expo and tea at Anna T.'s with some cool people and a whole week of vacation.

So, to recap: November was the best month because I got a lot of things done, and I battled some bad habits more or less successfully, and I had time off from work. Productivity, self-improvement, free time. These are all things that are important to me. It was one of the happiest months I think I've ever spent.

Of course, we're only six days into this month, and it's already been crammed with awesome (haircut! more tea with Anna T.! Pictionary and tacos with Anna and Jake K.! book group!), plus there's Christmas and family stuff. So December might give November a run for its money.