What did you get for Christmas?

When I was a kid, in addition to Christmas being a very special and meaningful time – which of course it still is – it was a time to be surprised by really cool presents!  There were always presents we hoped to receive, but some were complete surprises.  I don’t remember my age, and I’m dating myself with this example but under the tree one year was a HUGE box with my name on it.  In fact, I’m not sure it even fit under the tree.

And I had no idea what was in it.

When Christmas day finally rolled around, I tore into the wrapping paper like the Tasmanian devil .  When all the shreds of wrapping paper finally drifted to the ground and I could see again, what was before me was  a new record player.  I had no idea that was what was in the box; it was a complete surprise.  In fact, I was so surprised I just sat there stunned until my mother finally asked, “Are you OK?”  To this day, that was one of the best presents I’ve ever received.  I could now play my OWN records in my OWN room on my OWN record player.  And I could even plug headphones into it!  Amazing.

As we get older and acquire more stuff, we become harder to buy for.  That is understandable.  As we grow out of our childhood, naturally we require more practical items than toys.  For example, giving someone a microwave or a set of dishes for Christmas when they are moving into their own apartment before their first year of college wouldn’t be as much of a surprise.  It’s certainly not a toy, but it’s necessary and very much appreciated.  Two other things happen as we grow up: we acquire items by necessity and our toys become bigger and way more expensive!

That being the case, many times our gift giving is planned ahead.  We know what we’re going to get because we’ve had the conversation:

“What do you want for Christmas?”

“I could use a new drill!”

“What model?”

“Oh that Makita cordless one that Home Depot has on special.”

There’s no surprise there!  Most retailers offer gift cards or certificates which makes gift giving easy..  For example, people know I’m a horse owner, so a tack shop gift card is an easy way to fill someone’s shopping obligations.  And while just about anyone could have afforded the toys I wanted when I was five, there is no way anyone could afford the toys I want now…like a living quarter horse trailer with a 14’ short wall.

Now don’t get me wrong – I love my new drill and you can be guaranteed I’ll burn through the gift card before February rolls around – but for the most part, adult gift giving is more of a practical way to fulfil an expected obligation  than it is a surprise gift like a child would expect.

But once in a while, a real surprise present shows up.  A couple of years ago, some friends gave me a horse.  I had no idea that was coming.  We took a drive down to the corral, and they handed me a halter.  “What’s this for?” I asked.  They just looked up – and I followed their glance to a horse that was clearly uncomfortable from being separated from his siblings.  A five year old unbroke redhead paint horse that had never been touched glared back at me.  I initially wondered if they were giving me a gift or trying to get me killed!  Well, that horse is Spud.  And needless to say, he is an amazing horse with an incredible amount of potential.  He’s fun, expressive and quickly became one of my best friends.  A great present and a great surprise.

Stacie-Rae Weir is a local artist, tattoo artist and barrel racer.  She’s known throughout North America for her tattoo work, and her pencil drawings are amazing.  Two of her pieces adorn the walls of my house.  And she’s been taunting me for the last month with this: “I made you a Christmas present and I can’t wait to see your reaction!  You’re going to hate it!”

Huh?  A Christmas present that I’m going to hate?  What gives?  Every time I met with or spoke with her, she would randomly burst into laughter, saying, “I can’t wait to see your face when you open it!”

Well a couple days ago I was at her place and we exchanged gifts.  She handed me a wrapped object.  Through the wrapping, it felt like an oval wooden frame.  Which, I suppose, is exactly what it is.  I slowly opened it, fully expecting I would have to feign surprise and pleasure at a gift I was expected to hate.

Well, I LOVED it!

Christmas Presents

It’s a wooden toilet seat, stained dark (matches my hardwood!), with cowhide and a horseshoe on the lid.  Another amazing work of art!  And an absolute COMPLETE surprise.  There is NO WAY I would have ever – in a million years – guessed that someone was going to get me toilet upgrades!  I got a really good laugh out of the whole scenario.

And yesterday my brother handed me an envelope.  I figured it would be a gift card.  I opened it up and inside was a ticket to the Rankin Family concert next month.  He had bought tickets for the whole family!  WOW!  That is a show that I’m excited to see.  Typically we pre-plan what we are going to buy each other but I got blown out of the water this year.

So as adults, it takes a little bit (or a LOT) of creativity to come up with a present that is unique, unexpected and appreciated.  I’ll admit when it comes to gift giving, I’m not the most creative person in the world.  But friends and family have set the bar this year!  I’ll have to start thinking now for some way to surprise them next year.  Hmmm…

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