Even though Parish and I have spent most of our earnings on airplane tickets, rental cars and matching Christmas sweaters, we still have a little left over for presents. The trip home to Colorado is a present in itself. I tried wrapping the plane one year, but TSA said no. I heard the same response when I tried handing out samples of my world famous eggnog. Fine.
Despite the rejection, I had to find a way to make the trip feel like a present. I settled on buying a peppermint latte at the Starbucks inside the terminal and humming “Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas” as I found my seat assignment. Since we are leaving before the 25th, Parish and I will have to celebrate about a week early. I’m still not really sure what I’m going to get him. I gave him an early birthday present, since his birthday is two whole days before Christmas. Poor thing. He’s had his eye on a PlayStation 3 for about a year, so I gave him some money to make buying the console a little less painful.
In addition to the PS3, I know he also wants the new iPhone 4S. He wasn’t this “techy” when I first met him, but over the past few years, he’s really latched on to the whole newer/faster/better way of life. I might give him some more moola so he can have his own pocket secretary. Cash might be nice, but I think I still need to buy him something that says, “I love you and I’m so glad I get to spend another birthday/Christmas with you, the light of my life.” Any ideas?
Last year, I bought him a change machine that keeps count of every nickel, dime and quarter. It does count pennies, but he collects them in another container because they’re not worthy enough to hang with the silver, I guess. It will be hard to beat the counting coin bank, but I at least need to try. Perhaps a nice watch, or a new sweater vest (he collects them), or maybe a puppy.
When he asked me what I wanted, I had a list ready: TOMS shoes, a spa package, jewelry, a shopping spree, winter boots, love, world peace and a new cat. As you can read, I’m really not that hard to buy for. I should also make it clear that we aren’t caught up on spending ridiculous amounts of money on one another. We recognize the true reason for the season and the importance of spending time with family. It’s just fun to splurge a little bit and since we don’t have kids.
With only about a month left, I really need to pull my thinking cap tight. Another added level of stress is the fact that this year, my lover turns the big 3-0. I’ve been in his life for almost a decade, and this birthday is definitely one to celebrate. Perhaps I can get him 30 of something…30 pairs of socks, 30 $2 bills or 30 cans of Mountain Dew (his favorite). We are planning on going out in downtown Denver for his big day and then celebrating with my family on Christmas Eve. My mom has already ordered a locally made, custom-made carrot cake, and my parents usually shower him with clothes and gift cards.
He’s already mentioned that he wants to take a day and tour Colorado Springs - the place of my birth. I’ve already mentally made a list of the places I want to take him. Now that I think about it, giving Parish a personalized, insider tour of the Springs might be the best present yet. Now I just need to find a place to buy a bow big enough to wrap around Pikes Peak.