Giving is Glorious

Oh my!  I really love this friend of mine because she never fails to use her thinking cap to come up with unique gifts  this Christmas.  In fairness, she is known for her good fashion sense  and taste.   Last year, she gifted my family with a luxurious table lamp and this year it was outdone by giving us an ideal white faux fur throw which I’ve been wanting to own to complete the total look of our bedroom.   She might have known that lately our master’s bedroom had undergone  make-over and it was so sweet of her to put so much thought on her gifts.  For all I know, she purchased it on line at The White Company London where you will find wide array of luxurious, gorgeous and high quality bed linen collections that we all wanted to be around in our bedroom.

bed linen collection I raved about…. and got it as Christmas gift!

Such a coincidence that the bathroom mats and towels that I gave her were also purchased on the same on line store.   Does it mean, I have good taste too?

Kris Kringle is heard of during the joyous Christmas holidays and the traditional secret gift giving are done in schools, offices and within friends and family.   Actually we are not spared because we had started it last month with our officemates.  Every week our “baby”  receives something based on the theme of the week.    The baby referred to is the name of the person whom we had picked and it will be kept secret till the Revelation day which is on Christmas day.

This is the list of what I received:

• 1st week- Something sweet- I received a box of cube sugar
• 2nd week- Something long and hard – Barbecue stick
• 3rd week- Weird and funny – a keychain and a banana!?
• 4th week- Soft and round – a small round pillow and make up sponge

Truly, all of what I received seemed to be funny and boring but my ‘mommy” during the revelation day surprised me with a Swatch watch. She told me that on week 1 to 4, she purposely gave those things to test my patience and she had all it planned that she will give me something special on the day of revelation.  I was surprised and touch because it cost more than the agreed amount of gift to give.   And I love the watch…

It was  good of me, that I did not react or comment on how boring those gifts were because I still follow what my Mom told us when it comes to receiving gifts that we don’t expect or like at all.  She told us to exercise the following traits:

• Kindness
• Patience
• Happiness
• Manners

And I was sure glad to have applied the above, because I received what I never expected in the end.

My husband and I were helpless  upon hearing that my daughter was “held up” the other day.  Our initial reaction was to run fast to her rescue but it is impossible because of the distance.  As our daughter recounted, it was  7:00 am on her way to school when she alighted from the train and was about to leave the Light Railway Train station in Recto Avenue, Manila when two men apparently followed her and poked an icepick on her side and demanded for her Samsung Galaxy cellphone.  Since, we had repeatedly told them in the event of hold up, hand what is demanded to avoid further harm. And she did…

Thankfully, she was not harmed but she was traumatized by the experience.  But still,  I told her that she was partly to blame because we’ve been reminding them not to use their cellphone in public places knowing that high end cellphones are very “hot” items.   Those lawless men know how to spot expensive gadgets and my daughter when her phone rang, answered it, thereby, exposing it to public view much so to the hold uppers.  And that was it…

It would be no cellphone days for her… I don’t know if we will replace it soon because it was only 3 months old when her Dad gifted her the Galaxy phone  last June  to replace the Nokia brand which was stolen during a swimming party with her HS friends.

Who would not take interest on high end brand of cellphones?

my daughter will surely miss this Samsung Galaxy phone

Nokia phone stolen too!

Times are really hard…  What to do but to hope and pray that no similar incident will happen again to our daughter and pray for those men who took the cellphone.   Bless their souls…

Sophie is the pet dog of my sister Jen and she is such an adorable puppy.   Whenever I come for a visit,  calling out her name  from the gate, she excitedly runs out quickly to welcome me.   She will lie down, roll over and squirm around anticipating for me to give her a stomach and groin rub.  I am not really a dog lover but Sophie (whom my sister considered as her “daughter”) made me changed my perspective about pet dogs.  Oh she is such a darling and because she has won my heart,  my Christmas list is not only for families,friends but pet Sophie included.

Since I am deep into my photobook projects as gifts for my loved ones, I thought it would be a good idea to give Sophie a fashionable and personalized dog tag.   Initially, I thought of dog clothes or fancy costumes but when we bought and fitted one for her, we’ve seen how she roll and roll over until it comes off  and  she tries to bite them off.   Well, it is ideal to buy her dog bone or chew toys because definitely she likes them.  My sister lavishly bought her bedding for her cage, a colorful food bowl, new leash and collar and assorted pet care products.   She loves her so much and I am not surprised at all because I already have this special fondness for her.

Sophie’s 2nd Birthday celebration

I remember on her 2nd birthday, she celebrated it with cake, juice and lunch treat for family who gathered around as she was prepped up for photoshoot.   She hates the head band on her head and and she would shake it off to get rid of it until it falls.  Maybe she is the conservative and simple type of dog… ( is there such a type ?).   I made up my mind now, it will be dog tags for Sophie and I know it will suit her fine!

sample of dog tags made especially for Sophie

I am ready and hoping to do brisk business in personalized Christmas giveaways.   Just last night, after I have finished the last piece of sample, I immediately posted ads for friends to see and I am now anxiously waiting for the first order.  Actually, a handful already showed interest and was asking complete details about the giveaways.

Times are hard so to augment the family’s income, I decided to utilize whatever skills I have coupled it with patience and dedication.  Since, I know I have an innate talent and creativity to fuzz with giveaways, I wasted no time in designing photobooks, customized bags, cosmetic cases, luminous cups, mouse pads, etc.  which I believe will make good Christmas presents.  This idea cropped up during casual conversation with friends who raised their concerns (not complaints) of receiving duplicate gifts every year.  It is really true that choosing the best gift is a cause of concern and finding an ideal gift for loved one is a nightmare.

So I made some gift suggestions that will surely warm the hearts of the receiver knowing that they are well thought of because of the personal touch added into it.   And the effort of giving customized gift will make them feel special.

a classic handbag for your officemate

a compact mirror

a compact digital camera case for your loved ones

cosmetic case

huggable teddy bear

Don’t be surprised when you come for a visit in my brother’s house and that you won’t be served coffee at all.   Coffee for them is art and not for drinking. Yes, believe me it’s true, they have stopped drinking  eversince they’ve discovered the beauty of coffee art.  They have found a new medium -using coffee and water and the artworks are simply amazing!   My brother and his son’s forte is watercolor and oil but lately, they’ve shifted to coffee for a change. Evident on the pieces of art they have produced that both of them are enjoying the experience and they are beginning to perfect the art.   Actually, a month ago along with other coffee lovers/artists they opened a coffee art exhibit.

My nephew is one gifted artist in our family although I may say that all of us has our own individual talents especially my children who are into Multi Media arts majoring in Animation.   My eldest child is very much into web page designing and game development.   But they have yet to finish school and hopefully it would be next year so after school they can really focus their heart and mind to arts.   My brother’s son has already graduated from his Fine Arts studies so he has all the time to experiment and honed his talents.  He is undeniably good in watercolor, photography, mixed media arts and now coffee art.

Sample pictures posted below of what I am bragging about.  He is still new to this medium but I think he is doing an awesome work as a beginner.

No wonder, coffee is not to be served because  it is not in the kitchen.  You will find it on the drawing table.

The ber month ushered in yesterday and many Filipinos are already excited!  Did you know that one third of the year is Christmas in the Philippines?  As early as yesterday, September 1, the spirit of Filipinos are lifted up knowing that holiday season of giving and receiving is just around the corner.  Christmas tunes are a welcome break just like this morning when a neighbor had ” Winter Wonderland and Frosty the Snowman” blurting out of his sound system while the temperature outside was hovering at around 40 deg. C.   Well, maybe in a way you can feel the chill with thoughts that Christmas is near and that made you forget that it is hot outside.

I am in the thick of things completing personalized photobooks which I have carefully thought of to give as Christmas presents to to friends. Actually,  early this year, I started to stock up pictures of that particular friend or family whom I intend to give the photobooks for.  I made it a point to socialize often to have more pictures taken to complete the photobook.    Best to give something different this year instead of the usual frames,  candle holders, figurines which I believe they too are tired of receiving duplicate gifts each year and I am one hopeful to be a wise giver by presenting something unique in the sense that they were made only for the recipient.

Who doesn’t want to receive a personalized gift anyway?   Giving photobooks which I had personally and lovingly designed would project an afterthought that they are special.  Actually, my friends are special that is why I have to brave the sleepiness everytime I stayed till the wee hours just to finish a book.  Well, the eyebags too are already getting prominent but never mind… I will soon finish my projects which I’ve been doing without let-up especially this week that we are on 7 days Eid holiday in celebration of the end of Ramadan for our Muslim brothers around the world.  I took the opportunity to make myself productive and so I was glad I had accomplished 4-5 photobooks so far.

Hmmm.. I wonder what my friend have prepared for me?   Hubby reminded me it is better to give than to receive… I know!  But it would be a bonus to receive, isn’t it and why not!

1st batch of  finished photobooks – product of staying up late

I am clueless actually on what to buy for my husband whose birthday will be tomorrow, April 2.  For almost 25 years that we’ve been married, I think I bought him all the gifts that I could think of… the price range of every gift became expensive every year.  During our first year together, I think he received a t-shirt, then second year.. perfume, third… perfume again and so on.  He received a Rayban 2 years ago and the latest model of cellphone last year.  He is not materialistic but of course receiving gifts is an added bonus and he really liked it too – the idea that I am really thinking of him….

Last night, he was asking me what I am to going to give him and I was quick to reply ” my love”…. I was saying that because actually I have not shopped yet for a gift.  The cellphone that I gave last year was the most expensive one I had ever given him and surely, I can’t really surpass that price.   Maybe this year, I will teach him not to expect gifts anymore…lol.  I will relate to him the story of a little girl who only blew kisses in a box and gave it as presents.   And hopefully, he will see the wisdom in it.

Well, since I still don’t have any gift yet, we might dine out with friends tomorrow.  And hope that will suffice…. Besides what can he ask for, the good Lord has blessed him with a stable job, good family, good health,… and the most important thing… a pretty wife! (hey.. just kidding)…. Dream on!

I think I need to give myself a pat on my shoulder because I have invested wisely.  Why I said s0?  10 years back, I took so much interest in buying gold jewelries all pure, genuine 21K.   The price of gold was affordable compared to prices these days. If you want to buy a piece or two, you will really need to penny pinch to be able make good gold purchase.   Well of course, to those who have the money to splurge on gold, they can buy to their hearts desire.  Way back 1990-1995, I guess, gold shopping was our favorite past time and our husband would gladly accompany us to the gold store.   It is way different these days, husband will do all kinds of excuses not to take us  to the jewelry shop!  To them buying gold now is a luxury!

Oh well, my husband always remind me that I should be contented with what I already have.  I told him one time that I still have misgivings… that  I should have invested in gold coins and gold bars aside from the jewelries that I bought.   Now, it is impossible now to at least buy a piece but it’s alright…  yes, hubby is right… enough!

Besides, during in one of our prayer meetings, it was stressed, that here on earth, our stay is only temporary, so we should not be materialistic…. we should invest our treasures in heaven…..  True!

Be right back.. I will be out for “window shopping” for gold with my girl friends….

Wow!  Today, hubby surprised me with a new computer set!  He surely have thought that I need a faster and high end computer after my giving  birth to a second blog site.

my monitor…with extended viewing angle…

my CPU now.. much better than what I had before

If I may boast, my monitor is now Samsung LED 30 series with magic angle (extended viewing angle) and Intel Core i5 CPU with 3.20 GH and 8.00 GB RAM.  I am not very knowledgeable about the hard drives of computers but I am having a great time using it. Way different from my old one!

This new computer of mine may be not be as outrageous and prestigious as MAC like other bloggers have but I am very much satisfied and  I love what hubby gave me.   It is a gift of love… Sweet….