Loot! + Holiday Stories

[Cobalt Katze]

Now that it's the oft-uncelebrated Boxing Day and most Holiday festivities are coming to a close (except Hannukah, which just started and keeps going for a while!), it's that time where we can all feel free from guilt and show off what we were lucky to recieve this year And since I'm sure you all care, what I got for people as well. And hey, nothing's too small, even the warm presence of family is enough of a gift during these long months.

Phat Loot:

- African Rattle
- Nepalese Temple Bell & Chimes
- The ultimate stainless steel spork
- Andy Goldsworthy's Rivers and Tides DVD
- Laptop-shaped desk clock
- Graphic Design: A History
- $15 to Barnes & Noble
- $25 Visa Giftcard
- Wind-up shrimp sushi
- Hand-made sketchbook
- Sonic Rush
- 100-CD Suitcase
- Kontakt II Digital Sampler
- Fractal 2006 Calander
- Ugly Doll - OX

Gifts for folks:

- Holiday CDs for Aunt & Uncle, Mom & Dad, and Grandma
- Hand-picked Crazy Dance Mix for Sister
- Earrings for Grandma
- Earrings for Sister
- Afrokelt Sound System #6 for Dad
- Heart quote book for Grandma
- Lavender-scented purple stress ball for Mom
- Mario Party 7 for Sister
- Oh! My god! I miss you! postcard book by artist Yoshitomo Nara for Sister

I really went all out this year... It's been the first year where I've actually had a steady job for a period of time, so I had some money set aside for presents. It felt really good to give back and not just be the kid getting spoiled

It was a rather small christmas this year compared to others in the past. We got a smaller tree, which my sister and I decorated artfully with winged creatures (birds, angels and faeries) and other silvery shiny objects. My grandpa just passed away about 5 days ago at 86, and it was a hard-hitting loss for my family. But everyone was so amazingly strong, sharing memories and stories with a laugh as we got through the holidays without a tear. I know he would've wanted it that way.

Christmas eve was a wholely different evening than other ones, since all of my mom's side of the family decided to head to Florida for christmas this year for whatever reason. Her brother and his wife live down there during the winter, and they didn't really want to fly back to Seattle this year. So my mom's sister and her husband flew down, and my cousin from NY and they had their usual festivities down there. While we usually celebrate the eve at my aunt's house, our house was the replacement spot. So we had myself, my sister, mom, dad, grandma, dad's sister and her husband. A crowd that was also present for christmas day, so the two melded together. As I mentioned earlier, lots of laughter and memories. Gifts on christmas day were thoughtful and often times rather spiritual. Not in the christian sense, since we don't really belong to any demonination as a whole, but in general spirituality and inspiration. I believe that while we do celebrate christmas, it's often in the original spirit of the holiday: Family, warmth, and welcoming back the light. I'm fine with that.

[Aredhel]

This means I have to think, right? Ya know....one would think when christmas is over, you can get back to pseudo-normal existance, but NOOOOOOOoooOOOOOo! Not in retail! :P

I received:
- a wonderful painting by Ted Nasmith
- a floor-length green cloak with hood (polartech, no less! Pity those gone before! hehee)
- a cold-air intake for my tC
- a ceramic hair straightener (weeee!)
- a "Faith, Hope, Love" ring from my hubby

Gifts given included:
- new wedding ring for other half
- luggage for daughter
- 2000 dpi mouse for son and hubby
- super-righteous motherboard for hubby...duel abilities

and other assorted craziness items! Fun time.

[Neatton]

I am sorry to hear about your Grandpa CK I am glad you guys were able to enjoy the holiday in his memory.

I received:

Cloths! my mom always gives me cloths
Lots os Newegg.com gift certificates woot
2 gigs of OCZ ram
A Newegg T shirt!
a new backup power supply since mine is dead.


I gave:

My wifey a facial, pedicure, haircut thingy
A new phone for my mom
a sewing basket
holiday CDs
Electric razor for brother
Walmart certificate for brother
golfing gloves for the golf pro brother
tons of DVDs for the in laws


Was a good Christmas was happy to be able to give more then I got back

[Morgore]

Hey all.. guesss can share also
a new dryer (ours went out about a month ago and we decided to buy that instead of get each other big gifts)
gift certificates to my favorite restraunts and also Best Buy.
Bengals hoodie
project calculator (nifty calculator for price estimates on different projects, wonder if that was a hint from someone)
clothes
2 dvd movies Blade trinity and Batman Begins
also a bunch of stufff for our new puppy

I gave gift certs, clothes to the wife, neice and nephews. We gave my sister and her family the Scene it game along with snacks and popcorn
I know we gave more.. our Jeep was packed out when we left the house Christmas day. Wife recieved a bonus and raise last month, so we were able to give a lot more then the past coule years. Its a great feeling to be able to give like that!


We go to 5 different place between Christmas Eve and Day. Its crazy, My wife has a split family so we visit each side and there theres my family. So each year we change things so we are sure to get to everyone's "event".
The first year we were together.. we traveld to 6 places Christmas day.. between 2 states. it was crazy and actually sucked bad. Couldn't enjoy anything cause as soon as we got there.. sat down.. time was up and we had to get to next house.


Ok.. I'm rambling.. Hope everyone had a GREAT Christmas!!

[Fritz]

Christmas was great, everyone was happy. My sister recieved her gifts on time (3000 miles away). Well tree comming down this week and back to work.
I am ready for the new year , vacation is comming up. Hopefully save engough for the release of Vanguard.

[Soulpainter]

I got the Phattest L3wT of all time...


My beloved Julie said she would marry me...I could wish nor want for nothing more than to have her share the rest of my life with me...







though...i was hoping Santa woulda found time to have his elves get me a drawing tablet...maybe next year *snickers cuz he knows he is about to get popped by his beloved*

[Aredhel]

*pops Soul before his "beloved" can get to him*

Don't blow it, goofus! If you're going to play the ultimate romantic, stay in character! You know better!

[Amoonsinas]

I got:
Engaged *still dancing*
A foot Spa
A set of Corelle dishes for my Birthday/Christmas present

I gave:
Game cube to my kids and the Kirby: Air ride game
Stereo to my eldest
Buckaroo to my youngest
Bionicle to my son
Various other prizes and presents..

We spent a small fortune on our children this year. It was the first year that we could actually do it..

We all gots spoiled!

[Morgore]

Congrats to those that were engaged.. wow.. what a wonderful time to have that happen!!

[Vade]

Santa brought me debt and lots of it :P

Went all out for my girlfriend this year,
Lots of DVD's (Willy Wonka, Cinderella, Chocolat, Finding Neverland), Voucher for
hair colouring, T-shirt, Blink 182 greatest hits,a foot spa, then i made her a statue of "No-Face" from spirited away.

I didn't do too badly either, amongst other things i got a new PC.