Melissa's favorite things..... gift giving and other ideas....

One of my most fondest memories of my high school sweetheart is his amazing ability to give me gifts that I absolutely adored.  It wasn't that they were necessarily expensive or extravagant.  It was that it was always something I really wanted.  The amazing thing about this is that we never, for one second, had a "what do you want for Christmas . . . etc." conversation.  One day I asked him about this and he replied, "Whenever you see something that you like, your face lights up" 

As a result of this, I have come to the conclusion that gift giving is more about the expression of friendship and paying attention to the other person rather than the gift itself.  This is also why I can be disappointed if I get something that I absolutely hate.  It becomes the "you don't know me at all.  Where have you been during all those times we were hanging out and talking. You surely weren't paying attention to me.... ?" 

The thing is that it's not that hard.. Once upon a time earlier this year, I got invited to this dinner party and I know it's good idea to give a host gift for dinner parties at the house blah blah blah... and well since I am an etiquette snob... I said screw it and erred on the side of caution for said dinner party at a restaurant..    So since he was a foodie and loved the wine, he got some bottle stoppers. So yeah... see  thoughtful considerate gift. yee hawww.... Did I mention I didn't know the host that well at ALL???

Not that hard people.

The hardest part about gift giving is those family members whom you don't see very often or you don't really like but out of family obligation have to give them a gift. (Don't be lying. You know know you got some family you don't like.  yeah you can still love them. You can also love to push them under a bus.) 

Those people can be a little more difficult. 

So it's Christmas season and there is the whole commercialization of it all which is pretty out of control.  Then again American consumerism is out of control but that is a topic for another day.  SO I guess I'll revel in it and be like Oprah and tell you "My favorite things"   Some of these things I actually own and other things well I want for my own damn self. 

For whatever reason, I get a kick out of old school etiquette.  Maybe it's my Southern roots.  A lot of Southern hospitality is just good manners.  As a result of this love of etiquette, I love stationery.  Nothing says "thank you" like giving a little note in the mail. Seriously, even Scrooge gets a kick out of getting something in the mail that isn't a bill or junk mail.  So a little snail mail can brighten someone's day.  Also in business, it can help you get a job or bolster your professional image.   "Melissa" is a name of greek origin meaning "honey bee"  In fact, "melissaphobia" is the word for the fear of bees.  Since my name has an automatic trademark attached to it, I get a kick out of anything with bees on it.  Bees also can be sweet creating honey or they can sting your butt---not unlike me.  Yeah I am the bee. Fear the bee.  eh Whatever.  So here is some Bee themed stationery from Crane.

I am also the fan of the cute but not too cute. Let's call it slightly ironic with a dash of kitsch.  So these Hugging Salt and Pepper shakers that look like a Ying Yang symbol when viewed from above make me smile.  A LOT!

I do like me some running.  I don't do it nearly as often as I'd like or even as much as I should. I got the fat ass to show for it.  It's partially that I have yet to figure out how to fit it into my crazy schedule.  I am definitely needing to figure that out yesterday.  So in with the running, I am COVETING the Garmin Forerunner.  Yeah it keeps track of your time, your pace, and your distance all thanks to satellite technology.   Good times. Then again, special running socks would make me happy too.  Blisters are caused by sweat and friction and running socks keep the sweat at bay enough to avoid the blisters.  Cotton socks... not so much. 

So yeah... there you go... but then again the gift giving is about the other person.  So go out there and find something.