Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With String

Dave and I have been together for almost 6 years. This season will be our fifth Christmas together. Five holidays of gift-giving. Five seasons of trying to find the perfect gift for parents, siblings, nieces, nephews and the occasional cousin. Five. This year is is the first time I have gone shopping with Dave. Usually I do it all myself. It wasn't terrible. For me, at least. I think it was terrible for Dave when I kept asking him questions about what women would love to get. But hey, if you're going to be tagging along, you have to play the part.

So yes, we have started the Christmas shopping. I was amazed to find out that most people start shopping after Thanksgiving. Amazed! That seems like so much work to cram in such a short period of time. I started in August. I have a lot of people on my Christmas list.

I have found as I've gotten older that Christmas has flipped for me. I used to be so excited to get presents. And, don't get me wrong, I still do! But now I find the true excitement lies in hunting for the perfect present, wrapping it in adorable paper, tying the ribbon, and then watching in anxious anticipation for it to be opened. And then hoping they love it, love it, LOVE IT...otherwise, I am ashamed to admit, my feelings are hurt. I know it's silly, but I want to find the perfect gift for everybody on my list.

Is anybody else like this?

More Letters I Would Love to Send

Dear NBC,

Hi. The Great Jay Leno 10pm Experiment? Not working. Let's just chalk it up to a bad idea and a lack of leadership to veto it.


Dear Pandora,

Really? Petra? Really?!? On my Keane channel? Can I assume it was a computer glitch that won't happen again? Thanks. Also, Christian Music from 1989 called...they need their synthesizers back.

Petra...are you freaking kidding me?

Dear Jon Gosselin and Hailey Glassman,

Yeah, I'm not sure if you know this already, but going on Entertainment Tonight isn't considered a couples therapy session. What, exactly, were you thinking?!? Mary Hart doesn't moonlight as mental health professional. Stop it, please. It's awkward, this train wreck masquerading as your "relationship."

Dear Jim Carrey,

Could you please stop ruining Christmas movies for me? First the Grinch and now A Christmas Carol? That's quite enough.


And speaking of Christmas, one last timely letter...


Dear Santa,

I have been a very good girl this year, so I am asking for a trip to Tahiti. Thank you!