Yesterday Michael took me to World Gourmet Foods to pick out part of my Christmas gift from him. It’s been on my list for a long time, so I was excited when the time came to actually make the purchase.
So what did I pick? A basketful of Torani syrups in some of the flavors I’ve been most curious about.  And I found some tea I’ve been wanting, too.

I know I must be different than most gift recipients, because it just tickled me to no end to pick out my gift, bring it home, and then stash it in my room to wait for Christmas.  The anticipation is so much fun.

Michael often worries that he doesn’t do a good enough job at giving me gifts.  Of course, this notion is absurd from the very outset.  But over and over I reassure him that I’m different when it comes to gift giving.  First, it’s not as big of a deal for me as it is for some.  If you are familiar with “The Five Love Languages”, you know that “gifts” is one of the languages.  Its’ not mine.  Sure, I like gifts alright.  But it’s not something that really matters deep down if it doesn’t happen.  (In case you’re curious, my “love language” is “words of affirmation”.  That means it makes my day when Michael says nice things to me.  Even better if he’ll say it again.)

For some years Michael and I have danced the gift dance, with him asking for a wish list, me making a list, him feeling obligated to buy a certain amount of things, and me feeling bad that he feels so obligated.  One year I offered to do the shopping for my own stocking, picking out little things that I would enjoy having.  I must say, that was a blast!  I shopped for the trinkets, and then had just as much fun on Christmas morning as I re-admired each thing that I had picked out.  It was exactly what I wanted.

This year is shaping up nicely.  The pressure for gifts seems quite low, and I’m getting to help pick out some stuff on my list.  I couldn’t be happier.