As unlikely as it may seem, Christmas is almost upon us (57 days?) and with this knowledge comes the panic attacks, the palpitations, and the blissful joy that is remembering to buy presents, seeking them out, and, finally, giving up and drinking hot chocolate instead by a roaring fire with a lady pig by your side...in a log cabin...far up in the woods...with the snow swishing past the windows...and the flames cracking...and a blanket...Oookay, it's possible I'm drifting off topic. *ahem*
What to get, is the question -- a questions that can be swiftly answered in a five-page alphabetized list from Miss Piggy, summoned from her filing cabinet of lists, letters, sticks of candy cane and coal -- although it can also be answered more simply, by reminding the reader that what they peruse and purchase must have a purpose.
If you have seen your loved one hanging around the make-up stand at the local drug-store for a suspicious amount of time, then one choice is obvious: Under no circumstances buy her make-up, skin-care-treatment, strawberry and chocolate mud-packs, or spray-on-tan. If she has taken the time to loiter, she obviously cares very specifically for what she intends to buy, face-dressing-wise, therefore no matter what you pick out, it will not be the perfect thing for her.
Instead, what you buy must be well thought out and planned, purposed especially for her...What does she love? What are her hobbies? What movie left her in tears for hours (or days)? What makes her laugh? Does she like rings engraved with the words "Marry Me"? What is her favorite meal? Does she like chocolates with soft centres? Does she gaze hauntingly at that necklace with the emerald clasp? Does she hanker after a set of hankerchiefs with the little rose buds? Does she want to pick out the wedding china? What is her favorite shape? Who are her favorite singers? Has she mentioned a favotire author? Does she hope for a villa in Spain? Can you afford all these things?
Naturally, your answer is either:
a. Not really.
b. Heavens no!
c. *gulp*
or d. *runs away screaming*
(If you answered 'Yes' to buying all these things, then please send me your name and address so that I can make sure Miss Piggy never introduces herself to you.)
If you gulped or ran away, return! All is not lost. Here's what you do...
Find a gift-box in a mistletoe green, or a holly-berry (Halle Berry?) red. Be sure the box is large -- we're taking Elisa Doolittle's hat-box large. Now, fill said box with shredded tissue-paper in a variety of colours (or stick with the red/green theme), add some paper-roses if you have time to create them, or cut some rose-petals from red paper. Right. When the box is half filled, you are ready to begin with the filling.
First, chocolates. Find a variety-box of her favorites, wrap, and place amidst the bedding of paper. Next, something cute -- a toy puppy, a fluffy pillow, fluffy-dice, a stuffed snowman, something she will like and go "Awwww!" at. Add this to the box without wrapping. Find a dvd or book, or both, that she will simply adore -- alternately, buy Before You Leap and a Muppet Christmas Carol from any bargain bin -- wrap and add to the box. If she likes earrings, buy her a pair. She will love them, and she will look fantastic with them, so you both win. Wrap, add to box. Find something that matches her hobbies -- if she paints, something arty, if she sews, something sewy, if she shops...a gift voucher! Wrap and add.
Drop a note into the box. Something cute without being clingy. Something you wouldn't mind her reading in front of you.
Get a photo-frame (you can get these at unexuperant prices) then print or find a photo she adores -- of yourself, or the two of you, or Prince William -- wrap and add. Throw in a bag of marshmallows, a set of wooden-skewers, and a bar of chocolate...this can be fondued later over an open fire, or gas-flame. Gloves or a scarf can be acquired and added if (and only IF) you know she will love and wear them. Don't wrap these, rather tie them with a loose bow and drop into the top of the box. Get a CD she will enjoy -- again, it doesn't have to be the latest, newest, most expensive CD, just one that she will love. Wrap and add. You can listen to it later while you fondue.
Finally, sprinkle over the gifts with more shredded paper, silver or gold confetti, and some wrapped-sweets such as toffees, or strawberry chocolates. Close the lid of the box and wrap. place under the Christmas tree, then position a few carefully chosen small presents on top -- such as a book or dvd (whichever one you didn't put in the box), novelty-socks, or that singing-Christmas-tree that the two of you hate so much you love it. The plan is, she'll open these first and be surprised...then when she comes to the box she'll melt at the planning, time effort, and thought that has gone into every gift you've acquired for her.
Now your only problem will be if she reads this post before you do, because you'll have a lot to live up to!
Alternantly...bake some ginger-bread and decorate as Piggy and Kermit. That should work. Yeah...that might be easier actually.
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