Christmas time can be a time of hard decision making. There are those Christmas lists to satisfy and doing so while balancing busy schedules, crowded stores, budgets, and somehow remembering the true meaning of Christmas. This year was for me the first year my wife told me not to buy her any presents. She had a good case; she'd already purchased everything that she wanted for Christmas for herself. I can't fault her for doing so. It's not that I'm a terrible gift giver (at least I didn't used to think so), but it is because half of the magic of getting something new for her is having the opportunity to choose it herself and weigh options as she shops. I could have gotten her gift cards that allowed her to both receive a gift and go shopping for things, but the gift card has never been a go-to gift choice for me. I wanted to communicate my love for her in a fun and memorable way.
In all my wondering I walked into a game store one evening thinking about a fun family game I could find. That is when I found the Wonder Woman puzzle. It was perfect. We love puzzles, and I was sincerely wondering what to get my woman for Christmas. Besides, I like to think of her as an amazing wonder woman any way.
I brainstormed some practical gifts that I could purchase, customize and/or ornament with the 'Amazing Amazon' with a tight budget. Any big purchases outside of my Christmas budget would have me raising the funds by donating plasma. The gifts I thought of were definitely not needs, but they were more or less nice-to-have items that I figured would get some good use that included: a puzzle, protein powder, Athleta work out leggings, work out tank, winter hat, fleece blanket, and a Wonder Woman key chain. Plus, each of these items had something to do with activities that we enjoy together. I had even painted a cute little picture of a Wonder Woman with an invitation to start the new year of with dinner at a fancy restaurant in Salt Lake.
Christmas came and I was nervous in seeing her open these gifts. Previous Christmases, I'd given gifts to her that weren't necessarily on her Christmas list and still hit the ball out of the park when she removed the wrapping paper. This year's gift experiment was a completely different approach. Despite crossing my fingers, I think the Wonder Woman theme was somewhat a dud. No huge smiles, no tears of joy, no Christmas home run. It's understandable. There is only so much the woman in navy blue star-patterned britches will do for a non-fan despite the cleverness of the gift. And when I say clever, I mean it. How perfect was it that the explanation behind the color coordinated M&M's were actually presented as 'W's'? How fortuitous is that? It's taken her a little bit to get used to each gift and understand the feeling and thinking behind each one. She's a good sport. I can only imagine getting something similar, like a Popeye the sailor man themed Christmas for me. I can't think of much with this theme that gets me excited. So not every fun and creative idea is a winner in any old context. I learned that in the context of a penny-pinching Christmas, any dime available might be best appreciated being put toward something that is truly on the official wish list. While I recognize that is true, I'm still a dreamer. I love trying to come up with gifts that transcend what can be purchased at a store, or words that can be written on a card, or gift certificates that can be exchanged for goods and services. For better or for worse, I'll always remember 'the Wonder Woman' Christmas as something that taught me not only the value of thoughtful gift giving, but also the importance of being exactly on the same page with my wife on Christmas spending. Spending in general, really.
...Seems like a 'Wonder'ful idea for a 2016 goal doesn't it?
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