Best Christmas gift you gave?

[MouseWife]

~MS~ I love that one, given or received, the gift of time is best!

I would say that was one that gives to all involved. We are all very busy usually with out time for others, barely the ones inside this house. But, the other night we made sure to keep it open. I had my niece down from L.A. that I haven't seen since, over a year and a half ago, if not longer, as well as my sis and 3 of her kids.

We started out the night with my niece and family at the Hotel Del {thought of you, Lash & Stout, especially when we were sneaking around the back areas, thinking of 'Some Like it Hot'}. The sunset was awesome. Then walking around, there were carolers, crowds, and the ice skaters. The Del is lit up so very pretty, but, no tripod so not any great shots of that.

After we met up at my house, with a variety of Mexican food from Lolitas' and pizza from Lil' Caesars. The kids had cookies to decorate and, for the piece de resistance, I put on the family home movies.

Okay, now, I can already feel the massive eye rolling going on, hear the groans. But, for the three of us {my sis, my niece and myself} it was a gift to watch them together.

To end it, as the kids left we gave them bags of gifts to take home. Included for a couple were tickets to the High School Musical being done at the Civic Theater. {that was probably their best gift but they are young, they don't know.....}

[wendybeth]

I don't know that I gave out any super-duper gifts, not for lack of trying but I simply (and happily) got pre-empted by Eric. He bought Tori a new Chocolate phone with all the bells and whistles, and the High School Musical sing-along game. She is in heaven- absolutely loves both items, and he wisely bought the PS2 version of HSM, which is the platform she uses in her room. I may get cranky with his ass on occasion, but he is a great dad and he knows his Girl. (She's in her room singing away as I type this).

[madmonkeygirl]

I gave CM a nice gaming mouse but it doesn't work and a Lego set that took him a few hours to put together.

[Moonliner]

I almost hate the say this but it's starting to look like it might be the automatic litter box I gave my wife.
So far the cats appear to like it and it seems to be working as advertised. In goes the cat junk and a few min later it's scooped into the disposable receptacle.

[madmonkeygirl]

Moonliner just make sure you use Littermaid litter or else it will break. Trust me we've had so many returns on this particular automated liter box. We sell 3 different brands and i really steer customers away from Littermaid...but glad yours is working well

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by madmonkeygirl

Moonliner just make sure you use Littermaid litter or else it will break. Trust me we've had so many returns on this particular automated liter box. We sell 3 different brands and i really steer customers away from Littermaid...but glad yours is working well

24 Hours does not a test of time make.... I'll keep an eye on it.

Supposedly this is the "new" model with a stronger motor.

Thanks.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

In terms of sheer fun, the best gift I/we gave was the Playstation game, Guitar Hero, to Matthew's little brothers. We all spent a few hours together learning how to play it and had a blast.

[blueerica]

I was pretty light on the giving and getting (the move prompted me to ask for no gifts and give just a few), so the best gift was for my dad, the coffee aficionado... Couple pounds of coffee, a new tumbler, and miscellaneous coffee grinding and brewing accessories.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

I almost hate the say this but it's starting to look like it might be the automatic litter box I gave my wife.
So far the cats appear to like it and it seems to be working as advertised. In goes the cat junk and a few min later it's scooped into the disposable receptacle.

Originally Posted by madmonkeygirl

Moonliner just make sure you use Littermaid litter or else it will break. Trust me we've had so many returns on this particular automated liter box. We sell 3 different brands and i really steer customers away from Littermaid...but glad yours is working well

Originally Posted by Moonliner

24 Hours does not a test of time make.... I'll keep an eye on it.

Supposedly this is the "new" model with a stronger motor.

Thanks.

We've had the ScoopFree for six or so months now and it has worked great. Our fussiest cat LOVES it. She used to be right next to whoever cleaned the cat box and would jump in as soon as it looked like you were done.

The one drawback is that I can't find discounted refill trays ANYWHERE. At $15 a pop at PetSmart (surprisingly, they have the best price), it adds up quickly with three cats in the house.

[swanie]

I don't know if I really hit a home run with any gifts this year, but these are the ones I enjoyed giving the most.

1. I made mr. swanie a "man-blankie." The poor guy has never complained about being the only male in the house, but I know he has to cringe everytime he gets under any of our fleece blankets. We have a 70's flower design, a pink balerina, and a pink Nemo blankie, but we had nothing that exudes testosterone. This year I made him a USC fleece blanket so he can feel a little more secure in his masculinity.

2. We gave the girls, and katiesue's madz a trip to the DLH for a few days. We wrapped up random Disney crap and made a little puzzle out of it. Unfortunately, it turned out more like an Abbott and Costello routine. Eventually they got it, but it was harder for them than we thought it would be. Regardless, I think they are excited about it and I had a lot of fun putting my girls' package together.

3. Through an Art Masterpiece program at my kids' school, we had some of their art made into coasters, pot-holders, photo albums, and note cards for all of the different grandparents. They turned out nicely and are completely original. It also gives them something to really brag about

swanie