CoffeeSwirls

The Santa Awards

I thought I'd highlight some of the gifts that were given on this Christmas day. Some were given to me, some to others. I just want to recognize the ones that stood out.

Does anyone else out there have a listing of the stand-out gifts of the holiday? I enjoyed doing this like a toned-down awards ceremony, but that is not a requirement. Let me know in the comments or trackback!

• Most Spiritual Gift - I had no idea such a book was even out! I didn't know he was a writer at all, mainly because I never thought to look. That's why I was so shocked when I opened the box and saw The World According to Mister Rogers waiting for me to cherish it! I've been considered a bit of a Mr. Rogers junkie in the last year or two. The junk that is pushed out at children today is pretty lame, so Mr. Rogers is at the top of my list of good children's television. One other note: If you read about the Fruits of the Spirit (Faith, Hope, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Self Control) it's hard to think of another famous person that meets this description. Thanks Mom and Dad (In Law).
  Runner Up - The Bible Tina got from my parents. Why would that be runner-up? A Bible is just too obvious for this category! Besides, just like the Oscars, this isn't a fair contest, now is it?
• Grossest Gift - Imagine a game where you stuff a nose with "boogers" and pick them out one at a time until the brain pops out. This is a gift my nephew, Seth, got. All I can say is that I'm very happy for him. ;-) I'd call and ask what the name of that game is, but I don't want him to get any ideas that I may want to play it with him. I love the kid dearly, but the line must be drawn somewhere!
  Runner Up - Fruitcake. This may be an annual staple of this contest. Fruitcake will always be the bridesmaid, never the bride. Oh, and did I already mention that this wouldn't be a fair contest? ;-)
• Noisiest Gift - This is currently the Hot Wheels play set my grandmother got for Ben (Thanks Grandma, I think). In her defense, we helped pick it out.
  Runner Up - Tina and I decided to get a rock tumbler for Ben. It's running right now and can be heard no matter where in the house you are. When the dog goes to kennel at night, it drowns out her barking! I woke up and wandered when the VCR would finish rewinding! But it is pretty cool, and the rocks may be pretty cool, so it's still OK.
• Most Over-The-Top Gift - Scott brought the hugest fruitcake I have ever seen to our Christmas party, and told us it was authentic Italian fruitcake that he was given by his employer, a pasta company. This monstrosity was about as big as a footrest. I don't think I need to finish out that joke, but all the same, I'm not exaggerating the size of this thing.
  Runner Up - There were no other gifts that qualified.
• Most Used Gift (So Far) - My son got a VideoNow hand-held cartoon player, as if he doesn't see enough of the Fairly Oddparents on Nickelodeon to begin with! I had originally nixed this idea because I didn't think he'd use it and I think cartoons are over-watched. Tina convinced me to get it with reminders of what it was like on our last road trip, and he still hasn't put it down! Curse Nickelodeon!
  Runner Up - Momma-In-Law got all of the kids a big inflatable punching bag at her home. All of the cousins, boy and girl, love it! I don't know what it is about punching bags, but that is always a great desperation gift for any kid under ten years of age. I loved the one I had once upon a time, and this new generation just keeps on punching on this one!
• Gift That Proves I'm Listening! - When Tina was a little girl visiting her grandmother, the two of them would sit next to each other with their feet in tubs of hot water and a bar of ivory soap in each tub. She fondly remembers this and has mentioned it many times. Ben and I got her a Dr. Scholl's Foot Spa and a 3-pack of Ivory soap. They were wrapped separately, so you can imagine her surprise seeing a large gift and a very small gift (among others) with the $35 limit she imposed on me.
  Runner Up - Tina had asked for a hand-held sewing machine a few months back. She enjoys working with fleece, making blankets and scarves, so I went ahead and got this for her. That is the only "domestic gift" I could get for her. A vacuum or a laundry basket would have been b-a-d, but this is a little bit different.
• Most Unexpected Gift - Tina went to Wal-Mart to get our stuff off of layaway with her mom because Cathi has a Jeep and our compact car would be difficult to use. Keep in mind that we put as much on layaway as we can, so this was gifts for 7+ families that had accumulated at Wal-Mart over several months. Anyway, you know how they put the layaway stuff into any box they can find, right? Tina walked out of the store with her mother, carrying the DVD player that would be given to her just a few weeks later. That's what I call having nerves of steel!
  Runner Up - Tina also told me to wait for the post-Christmas sales to get a new coat. So I agreed and waited to look for one. And what did I open? A new winter coat with matching gloves and scarf. Hey! What about that $35 limit, honey???
• Family Enjoyment Gift - We gave my sister and Bro-In-Law the game "ImagineIff". This is a fun game that everyone can enjoy! Ben (age 6) did just as well as my dad (age 106-just kidding) and they both had a lot of fun with it. This game is very recommended!
  Runner Up - Ben got Seth (his cousin) Bullz-Eye-Ball for a gift from buddy to buddy. Seth had some fun with it until Toni (his mom) discovered it, and she really went to town! I foresee a family tournament in the near future!
• Gift that Keeps on Giving - We received several gift certificates to area restaurants. It's too bad we didn't get any certificates on health club memberships! ;-)
  Runner Up - The Bible Tina got from my parents. This is a gift that will give every bit as much as you wish to receive! All you need to do is open it and read it.
• Best Gift of Christmas - After we opened our gifts at home, Tina, Ben and I sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus, like we always do. This is His day and He is the one giving out the greatest gift of all! Will you accept it?
  Runner Up - There is no runner up in this contest!