This year I participated in a blogger holiday gift exchange that was hosted by awesome Jill who is Run With Jill. She had about a bazillion participants...well, at least a hundred anyway.
I love giving presents, and I extra love figuring out something the other person will like, so I had a lot of fun collecting an assortment of running "aids" for my recipient... Chicken of Running On Empty fame. Sleuthing about her blog to figure out what she might like made me feel sort of like Nancy Drew, my favorite titian-haired teen detective with a blue convertible roadster (I've read all the books up to #52). It was so great to find out that she enjoyed receiving her goodies even more than I enjoyed gathering and sending them :) One of her adorable dogs decided that she shouldn't have to wait until Christmas to experience the gift and graciously (or perhaps violently based on the condition of the water bottle!) assisted in opening it a few days early. Happy Holidays, Chicken :)
And I received my gift in today's mail...
I swear I have a waist.
What I especially like about this picture...in addition to my new tee... is the toddler "playing" with the ornaments in the background (moments later she was hurling her acquisitions across the room with fastball-like intensity) and my socks. You are getting an uncensored glimpse into my life :P
Thanks so much for the great gifts, Danielle! While my minimalist approach to Christmas this year isn't quite humbug, there have been moments when the sentiment is perfect! And who can resist Oscar?
Many thanks to the events' organizers, Jill and Kim, and to the participants who helped make the holiday season way cheerier for me!
Did you participate in a Secret Santa exchange sort of thing? What did you give and what did you get?
What's the best thing you've ever gotten?
What's the worst?
A packet of grape Kool-Aid. I think it was supposed to be a joke.
I love giving presents, and I extra love figuring out something the other person will like, so I had a lot of fun collecting an assortment of running "aids" for my recipient... Chicken of Running On Empty fame. Sleuthing about her blog to figure out what she might like made me feel sort of like Nancy Drew, my favorite titian-haired teen detective with a blue convertible roadster (I've read all the books up to #52). It was so great to find out that she enjoyed receiving her goodies even more than I enjoyed gathering and sending them :) One of her adorable dogs decided that she shouldn't have to wait until Christmas to experience the gift and graciously (or perhaps violently based on the condition of the water bottle!) assisted in opening it a few days early. Happy Holidays, Chicken :)
And I received my gift in today's mail...
Cute Humbug t-shirt featuring Oscar the Grouch :)
and a Target gift card...that I'm off to use tonight!
I swear I have a waist.
What I especially like about this picture...in addition to my new tee... is the toddler "playing" with the ornaments in the background (moments later she was hurling her acquisitions across the room with fastball-like intensity) and my socks. You are getting an uncensored glimpse into my life :P
Thanks so much for the great gifts, Danielle! While my minimalist approach to Christmas this year isn't quite humbug, there have been moments when the sentiment is perfect! And who can resist Oscar?
I also joined up with a holiday gift card exchange with Kim at (Just) Trying is for Little Girls. On Team Donner with me were:
- Hannah@Hannahviolin
- Andrea@Bluegrass Tri Chick
- Emily@Travel With Emily
- Erica@ I Run Because...I Can
- Cassandra @ Running for Three
Many thanks to the events' organizers, Jill and Kim, and to the participants who helped make the holiday season way cheerier for me!
Did you participate in a Secret Santa exchange sort of thing? What did you give and what did you get?
What's the best thing you've ever gotten?
I got these awesome Santa lights one year...
What's the worst?
A packet of grape Kool-Aid. I think it was supposed to be a joke.
That T shirt is awesome! I would totally wear it.
ReplyDeleteIf you liked Nancy Drew, my gift to you is to tell you to read The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. It's about a woman named Thursday Next that lives in a sort of sideways 80's world, and she has a peculiar talent.
No secret Santa thing this year. Best thing I've ever gotten? Hmmm, that's a tough one. I'll have to get back to you on that. So many choices...
I love that pic and glimpse into your life with the busy toddler! So fun!
ReplyDeleteI have exchanged alas I've been in Key West and my mail is being held so I havent received it yet.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
I participated in Jill's exchange this year. Bummed because my recipient should have gotten her cool gift a couple weeks ago and there hasn't been a post on her blog since I sent it. Praying it didn't get lost. I have an online mom's group that has done some SS exchanges. The best gift was a beautiful set of ornaments from Germany although I have gotten several wonderful things from them over the years.
ReplyDeleteThat tshirt is great! I've never seen anything like it. Hope you enjoy the holidays!
ReplyDeleteI love the socks! And I've got a nephew who can hurl ornaments like a Pro Pitcher!
ReplyDeleteThanks again for all the goodies and the shout-out! I ghetto rigged the water bottle for my run this morning. It worked great!
Hahaha, love that shirt (I think it was mean to be sent to me, Grouchy and all :)). And everyone needs a Target gift card! Glad you participated and enjoyed the exchange.
ReplyDeleteChristmas has to be so exciting at your house this year, what perfect ages for a little (lot!) holiday fun!
Merry Christmas, my friend! Hope we have many more chats in 2012 and hope nothing but success and big smiles!
xo
Score with the cool shirt and gift card! Love the pic with the little one in the background so focused on the ornament.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first year I did a gift exchange (Jill's) and had a blast. My secret santa sent me "the stick" (travel size). Perfect gift for me.
Merry Christmas!
I did the exchange too! I got some cool running socks, and some good honey stinger chews and some other stuff like that. It was fun to participate! Love your shirt!
ReplyDeleteLove your new shirt. Fun.
ReplyDeleteWorst gift? Footed jammies ... as an adult. `
LOVE the shirt! It was the first year participating in the SS with Jill this year and it was awesome!
ReplyDeleteThe ornaments on the lower 1/3 of our tree are plastic because I've learned that lab tails can sent them flying a LONG way!!
Worst SS gift?-Cheap toilet paper. The kind that feels like sandpaper. uuugh
I guess we all have a little Oscar in us sometimes! Love it!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure I'm the least creative person ever. I tried to find something to send you other then a gift card, but I'm sure I would have found something that you have no need for and it would have been a waste. Some days I can go to target and want to buy half of the store, so I thought that might come in handy. Hope you and your family had a Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI love that shirt! I participated in the same swap! What fun! I think this was my first Secret Santa so my gift that I got this year was the best one ever!
ReplyDeleteLove the shirt! Best SS gift I ever got was a running calendar and a book. Worst is nothing, when they forget. :(
ReplyDelete