Christmas Gift Buying for the Husband Who is a Pain to Shop For

Okay, Jordon took a little dig at my Christmas gift buying practices yesterday and I admit, it isn’t my strong point.  I don’t know if I am really that bad at it or if I just married into a family of exceptional gift givers.  Jordon only gives out the perfect gift.  It’s a combination of budget, hours of research, deep reflection on the persons soul, sentimentalism, and if necessary, espionage.  His mother was the master of giving good gifts and raised the bar to the point where not only did it have to be the perfect gift but as you opened it, it became obvious that you should have known what you were getting based on an innocent conversation you had months ago.  Our first Christmas together she managed to even give me one of the best Christmas gifts I have ever gotten.

Meanwhile on the Hardinge side of the family, practicality ruled the day.  If you needed underwear, you got underwear.  One year I got underwear and long underwear for Christmas.  Not everyone liked Christmas and I think that kind of defined how we treated the holiday.

While Jordon knows months in advance what he is going to get me and coordinates all of the Christmas shopping for others, I really struggle with shopping for Jordon.  We had some long talks about it and in the end, I just see Christmas as a giant to-do list and the quicker that I can get through it, the less painful it will be.  I love how we celebrate Christmas and I enjoy the festivities, it’s the shopping that I struggle with.  While my list just consists of only Jordon for the last several years, it has meant some less than spectacular gifts for him which is probably more frustrating for him as it is for me.  Not only that but I tend to default to gag gifts on days where nice would be so much more appropriate.

It isn’t as if Jordon doesn’t try to make it easy for me.  He updated his Amazon.com Wish List, e-mailed me some t-shirts that he would like (I am not so sold on them as he is) but none of those will really surprise him.  On top of that while Jordon enjoys giving at Christmas, he isn’t so sold on the idea of receiving at Christmas.  Part of that is working day in and and day out with those that have nothing, makes you realize how lucky one is to come home to a family, a home, and a dog every night.  At the same time I would love to get some ideas on what to get Jordon.  If you have any, leave them in the comments.

Follow Mark on Twitter

Mark has been pestering Jordon to let him sign up for Twitter.   Jordon finally relented and you can now follow Mark on Twitter at twitter.com/coopermark .

Ever since we got Jordon an iPod Touch, Mark has been obsessed with Twitter and it is kind of neat to see him see a technology, understand it and want to be a part of it.  My little guy isn’t so little anymore.

Parenting 101

I am not sure what normal fathers read their kids at night but I walked in on Jordon reading to Oliver the other night.  He was reading Warren Kinsella’s Kicking Ass in Canadian Politics to him as a night time story.  Two nights ago I go in and Jordon is showing Oliver a video of Larry Lessig speaking about intellectual property from TED a couple years ago on his PSP.

I guess I can take back all of that Baby Einstein and Leapfrog stuff.  It apparently isn’t going to be used around here.

Technorati Tags: Warren Kinsella,Larry Lessig,Baby Einstein

It’s hard to kiss the lips…

Here is a great video over at YouTube that should bring some smiles to any married couples day.

12 Must Haves For Every Cabin

I was reading Style at Home and they have an overly specific list of 12 things every home should have.  I came up with 12 things that every cabin should have as a response.  If you have any comments, you can leave them over there.

The Great Debate

Jordon and are trying to decide which outside light we want for the cabin.  We narrowed down our choices to four and I think any of them would look great.  Since they are all under $25 and we only need one, price isn’t really a factor (there are actually $500 patio lights on the Home Depot site).  If you have an opinion, leave it in the comments over here.

While you are over there, you may want to check out this incredible story of a couple that is restoring a castle in Scotland.  It’s a project that comes with a lot of hidden costs.

Salvation Army Christmas Hamper Application Forms

It’s that time of year again and the Salvation Army Community Centre is taking applications for hampers online this year.  If you know of anyone who is in the Saskatoon area and in need of help this Christmas, they can apply at the Centre or they can apply online and someone from the Centre will get in contact with them to confirm the information.

Alive and well

Despite my lack of blogging, I am alive and well.  I just haven’t had that much to say.  Here is what is new around the house.

• Oliver is doing quite well.  Jordon snapped this photo him sleeping in his playpen.  Despite the tranquil look on his face, he hates wearing this cap.

• I have a MASSIVE bruise on my back and hip from falling during the middle of the night.  I was feeling Ollie and my foot fell asleep.  When I got up, my ankle turned and I twisted so Ollie was protected.  My ankle and back hurt but Ollie was okay and I will survive.
• While I am off on maternity leave, I am occasionally baby sitting for a co-worker of Jordon’s.  We had her daughter over for Halloween and Mark and her were discussing costumes they saw while they were out.  I overheard her tell Mark, “That kid said he was Freddie Cougar.”  Mark replied, “Oh that makes sense, I thought he said he was Freddie Pooh-Bear“
• It snowed today!  We had mixed feelings around our house.
• Jordon posted a big to-do list for 2009 at the cabin.  I was doubtful about how much we would get done but we went to Home Depot the other night and priced things out and then we met Todd and Corina for coffee and Todd and Jordon were all excited so it is looking good.  I am most excited about getting the decks done.  Jordon’s design will look fabulous and give us a place to hang out in privacy in the front and the back of the cabin.
• I am joining Jordon and Mark every second Sunday night at the Community Centre serving up soup and sandwiches for coffee house.  At the first one I was hit on and even proposed to.  It was a lot of fun and it does provide a great service to the community. 
• Christmas shopping is going well.  Mark, Lee, and our friends are almost taken care of.  I still have Jordon to take care of but the list is almost done.  Christmas will be a little different this year as Jordon is working Christmas Day and taking Mark with him.  We will be opening our Christmas presents on Christmas Eve and then having Lee and some friends over for a big meal on Christmas Day.  The person I am struggling the most shopping for is Oliver.  He has so many toys from Mark and at the same time so many friends gave him great stuff.  We did pick up a night time Winnie the Pooh today but we have some work to do for him.