An Unbeatable Christmas
Christmases aren’t always magical, and I know we’ve had our fair share of sad holidays. But when they’re right, they’re wonderful. I know we celebrate Christ’s coming, which is always true, even when life is sad. But I look forward to this time all year for a variety of reasons- the joy of remembering baby Jesus, the excitement of gift-giving, the pleasure of delicious food, the coziness of a warm, beautiful home, and certainly the comfort of family. I don’t talk much about my family here, but you should probably know that I treasure them with all my heart. I have parents and in-laws who are incredibly supportive, loving, generous, and even fun to be around. My brother is dating a beautiful girl who fits right in with the rest of us, and now we have little Lucy to join the crew. Certainly we have lots to enjoy!
This year I have a special memory to cherish, being the Daddy’s-Girl that I am. Throughout 2012, Phil and I finally had the sense to properly budget for gifts starting last January, so we wouldn’t feel burdened with our desire to give. I started shopping last Spring when I found a big letter G for my brother (Matt Graber), took the money for it out of our gift envelope, and allowed the rest of the dollars to keep multiplying with only small withdrawals for weddings and babies. By the time all of the gifts on my list were purchased, I had spent more than any other year before (our family isn’t typically extravagant gift givers, out of necessity), but I still had a nice amount of money in our gift-envelope. Perfect! Because I still hadn’t gotten anything for my Dad, and after all of the work he does for our cars and house, I really wanted to show him how much I appreciate him by giving him a nice gift. The guy has all the power tools any red-blooded American man could want, but something that always goes unsatisfied for him is his desire for ice cream. And preferably soft-serve. So I thought I’d splurge on a nice soft-serve ice cream machine for him. Did he ask for it? No. Was I worried it would just collect dust in their pantry? Yes. But I spent the last of our money on a whim, wrapped up his ice cream machine, and placed it under the tree.
When my parents walked through the door on Christmas Day, we were all very bubbly and chatty, and somehow Dad started talking about ice cream and how he would really like to get a soft serve ice cream machine some day. I couldn’t believe it! Phil and I were stealing big-eyed looks at each other, trying to contain our excitement. Before dinner, we opened gifts, and the last one to be unwrapped was the one I wanted Dad to see the most- his ice cream machine! He peeled back the paper and the look on his face was like something I’ve never seen before! My usually stoic father was grinning wider than I thought possible, and my heart exploded. It made me so happy to see him happy, to whip together the supplies I had stored away in my fridge, and see him enjoy the fruits of my giving. I know it’s just ice cream. And it’s just an appliance. But finding the perfect gift for the guy who is notoriously difficult to shop for, and the first man to steal my heart- that is my favorite Christmas memory so far.
So how did your Christmas go? I hope you were able to enjoy time with family and friends! Were you able to buy gifts? Which was your favorite gift to give?
This post made me smile! Love your fam! Beautiful pics, and your living room looks great that way! Yay to first Christmas w baby and new house!!
This was an incredible post. I loved seeing your family and what you did for Christmas. That is adorable that you are a daddy’s girl! My family members never exchange presents, but that is so nice that you were able to do something for your dad.
such a sweet story. it made me smile.
what a great Christmas you all had! Lucy a doll as usual! and what a great idea for your dad! My step dad is always hard to shop for too. he does love ice cream so maybe next year I’ll look into that gift. my favorite gift I gifted was a tissue box filled with dollar bills taped to one another. it was for my husband for a hunting rifle . it was fun to watch him open it!
That’s a fun gift idea! I’ll have to remember that one. :) If you decide on an ice cream machine, I saved a lot of money by purchasing one on Amazon. Just a head’s up.
My eyes instantly filled with tears reading this! What an amazing story, and sweet gift. I’m a Daddy’s girl too so I know how exciting this must have been for you.
What a sweet story! I love it when you find the perfect gift to give. Glad you all had a great time.
Beautiful Christmas pictures! You can somehow feel the warmth. :-) Enjoy it all and wish you happy 2013 too!
This was a great post. I’m so happy you could find the perfect gift. I hate it to say it, but it’s so much better than getting the perfect gift, isn’t it? :)
-Lindsey
Definitely! I LOVE giving gifts that are just perfect for the person, even though they never told you they wanted it. But then people ask me what I want, and I’m like…. can’t you just figure it out? haha
This made me tear up! Your dad sounds a lot like my dad, and I can just imagine how wonderful seeing his excitement was. Happy Holidays to you and your beautiful family!
Sounds (and looks!) like it was the perfect holiday! Your home is just beautiful. My father passed away 4 months ago…the story about your gift to yours really touched me! How wonderful :) We had a rather sad first holiday season without him but I have hope for better future ones.
That must be so hard! We lost a close family member two years ago, but nobody as close as a parent. Every year I think, well, we survived another holiday without him. It gets easier to bear, and the beauty of life is now we have new people to share each holiday with us, as the next generation is being born. :)
I wish blogs had like buttons! I have nothing to say, i just really liked this post about your family. :)
haha thanks! I often go to “like” something not on Facebook and get a teeny bit frustrated when I can’t! :)
Merry Christmas guys ! What a lovely post :) My precious Dad passed away just after Christmas (it will be 4 years this year) and my Mama has been in hospital since September. We all felt the gaping hole in our Christmas. All of the other things you mentioned are lovely, but you are so right, that family is what matters most.
Love
Val
xxx
lovely story.. :)Irene Wibowo
what a lovely Christmas! giving the perfect gift is a huge deal to me…I just love gift-giving. This year I replaced my husbands old record player for him and threw in some star-wars ice cube trays for good measure–managing to surprise him was the best! I also gifted my newly-married friends a cookie jar–it’s probably my favorite go-to newlywed gift.
PS, I have the same felt, bird stocking in green :)
What a delightful looking Christmas. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
awe, this is so sweet, it’s amazing how much you look like your mom (who looks so young btw!) and your brother looks like your dad!
People always think my mom and I are sisters! haha And I don’t think they are trying to flatter her. She has taken really good care of her skin through the years, and it definitely shows. :) She reads here, so she’ll be happy to see the nice thing you had to say. :)
Looks a wonderful Christmas with your family! I got my dad a new coffee pot, and he loved it! There is nothing better then buying the perfect gift for someone. Lucy in those polka dots…so adorable! My mom and I always watch White Christmas! xoxo
Just caught up on your blog! Congrats on the baby!!
Rummy Cubes! That’s a family tradition we haven’t enjoyed for awhile, but it’s not too late. ;)
I love your story about gifts! When you’re at a place in your life when you can give more freely it really is special. Especially when it’s giving back to your parents. I know I feel that way! For Christmas I bought my mum a cashmere sweater, probably the most extravagant gift I’ve ever purchased for someone else, but I knew she had never had anything like that before and she was so appreciative and wore it the next day for our big Christmas celebration so I knew she loved it. It really made me feel great.
Um, your mother has not aged a day past thirty. I beg, I beg to know her skincare secrets!!!
Ha! Yeah, she is often complimented for her great skin. She just has always avoided the sun because of her fair skin and non-outdoorsy personality, and she is great about moisturizing. I wish I hadn’t tanned so much in high school- I doubt I’ll look as good as she does at her age!