Blah!shopping spree

[creewoman]

This doesn't have much to do with Hep C .I am having a hard time trying to get excied about xmas this year.Each year it just seems as it is a marathon shopping spree .We tried to get Ruby some quality items that she will get alot of use of and  enjoy for a long time.It seemed the longest time was all she wanted was a video game,had to have that newest version of that game.Well we did not buy it.Yes she will be disappointed.Awhile back I was cleaning up my camera of an overload of photos and I ran across the most beautiful photos of sunsets,cloud and some mysterious color arcs in the kitschen.They were beautifull photos that most would'nt even notice.Well they were pics Ruby had taken.She has exhibited a great eye for photographs.So we got a winner of a gift idea.She is getting a camera(wish it could have been a 35mm Olympus or Canon but it will keep her learning for awhile.
What special holiday gifts or things any of you doing tha is making this holiday memorable.Snow( this is the Social page so I assume that means Socializing and am not offending by changing topics.)

[rivll]

Very nice idea! You ought to post a pic. of one of the lamps.

Advocate-"Over the holidays, we cook more family meals (healthy), spend more time together, laugh a lot, talk a lot, listen to music together, and stay home a lot.  My daughter is always happy to be home from college and uses this time to sleep and relax.  I guess for us it's more about creating the home and family that the kids come home to rather than the gifts for us now."

Very cool. I love that image of your home-lucky family.

[BoceprevirGal]

  I just cant get into Christmas at all this year, and for the first time ever, didn't even buy a Christmas tree...and the kids didn't even complain.
   I give my children gifts spontaneously, when I have the extra cash, but dont have enough $$ saved up, to buy gifts when society tells me.
  The best gift we can give our children, is our time. Yesterday afternoon, I took a walk with my sons, to a local book-store down the street, and one of them wanted a $5. used book, which I gladly bought for him.
   My ten yr old wants a "dream pillow" we saw at a store, that is stuffed with good smelling herbs, like lavendar and sage, that makes people have good dreams. Since it is affordable, and natural, and hand-made, I am happy to get it for him, for X-mas.
   Last year we did Toys for Tots, and the huge plastic toys we came home with, were never played with, by the boys, and they are now taking up space in our tiny house.
   I think the Camera is a great idea. I get tired of them playing video games all the time, it must strain their necks and eyes..and my kids seem to neglect drinking water, using the rest-room, and even basic hygiene, if they are allowed to play for too long~

[Advocate1955]

I got small cameras for both of my kids (22 and 20) last year for Christmas.  Since that time, my son has been on trips to Utah, California, Shanghai, and San Antonio with his college marching band, and he has taken some great shots.  They are both flying out to Las Vegas with their marching band this Friday, and I expect more great shots.
I used to scurry around, hit all the sales, buy gifts for the kids, the neighbors, the co-workers, extended family, etc.  I used to send out 100+ individually written cards.  We used to cut down a Christmas tree and put up handmade decorations.  Personally, I don't think kids need a lot for Christmas.  I have tried to really trim down Christmas to the things that are most important.  I don't like to shop, so I don't very often.  I don't like to write Christmas cards, so I don't anymore, other than a few for my work colleagues.  Now we have a small, hypo allergenic fake tree, easy to assemble, just a few ornaments and a few hand made decorations (easier on my asthma).  We have a couple of useful and hopefully meaningful presents for the kids under the tree, the kids might have one or two for me and hubby, but we would rather save the money for other things, so we usually tell them ahead of time that we're fine, we don't need anything.  Over the holidays, we cook more family meals (healthy), spend more time together, laugh a lot, talk a lot, listen to music together, and stay home a lot.  My daughter is always happy to be home from college and uses this time to sleep and relax.  I guess for us it's more about creating the home and family that the kids come home to rather than the gifts for us now. (Maybe paying for college is their big gift!)
Advocate1955

[campqueen]

I hear ya creewoman...we did a little shopping tonight (but you won't catch me in a mall!) I'm a teacher and Scout leader and I recycle wine bottles (I used to use ours, but those days are gone so now I get them donated from friends) and drill holes in them and let the kids decorate them with tissue paper/glue for a lovely lamp...the lights I get from the local dollar store and presto! a unique one of a kind lamp...I like your idea of the camera...perfect to tap into her natural talents and aptitudes...wishing everyone well (I'm new to my still unclear diagnosis and these sites)

[creewoman]

thanks for the clarification of hepc social.I don't see nany others get personal.I  don't want this to hcv completely take over my life.
My kind of gifts.    Those with thought and love most special of all
snow

[orphanedhawk]

Yes, the social side is for anything you choose to discuss.

A simple easy to use camera is the ideal thing to start with. Let her learn to 'see', to compose her photo before she gets into all the gadgets.
(Personally I like a simple point and shoot with a good lens and a zoom.)

I started 'shopping' months ago by not shopping but rather picking up found objects.
One was a lovely crystal vase at a garage sale.
At another I found a shadow box and little china figurines. These I bought cheaply and wrapped for a nine year old girl who loves that type of thing.
For my mom, I found a handmade soft throw, in beautiful shades of turquoise and blue. I washed it and it looks good as new.

[rivll]

I think on the social side you can discuss non HCV related topics.
I love that you got her a camera. Having a creative outlet will serve her all her life, much more than a game would. Maybe you could post one of her photos for us to admire-a little public feedback might inspire her.

Holidays are not so fun when your sick. Hang in there, Snow, just try not to stress and enjoy your loved ones.
I will be thinking about you. :)