A confession: I had a post all written and ready to go, zip, zap, rock ‘n’ roll, but something about it was bothering me. I checked this and checked that, looked here and there, got an idea about what was causing my hesitation, and verified the source. Lo and behold, one of my fellow TKZers had written an excellent post on the identical topic a couple of weeks ago. You will see mine eventually, though not for awhile. We like to provide variety here at The Kill Zone. Unfortunately, it’s somewhat late and I don’t have another topic to write about. So…
…let me thank you for stopping by on what is probably the busiest weekend of the year. If you are having trouble thinking of what to give that special someone, might I suggest that, rather than stressing out, they would probably rather have you — “nice you” — rather than 1) a present or 2) “stressed you.” Just a thought.
With that in mind…if you can take a moment, tell us: What is the best present you’ve ever given? What is the worst?
Thank you again for all of your visits, all of your comments, and all of your contributions this year. I get choked up thinking about it. But don’t tell anyone. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and we’ll see you, God willing, in a few weeks.
Merry Christmas, Joe. Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season.
Thanks so much, Sue. Your comments have been much appreciated. Merry Christmas to you and to your family!
Thanks, Joe. For years I’ve been telling my children, “I have all I need.” And it’s true, although they keep insisting on giving me stuff. But you’ve hit the nail on the head. The best gift, the one in keeping with the season, is ourselves–the nice version. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Richard, thank you and Merry Christmas to you and yours as well. I have reached the age and station where I’d much rather have an experience than an object. I have enough of the latter and am always looking for more of the former. Hope you enjoy the week and the New Year.
Good morning, Joe.
Thanks for the post and all the great posts over the past year. They are always so informative. I always learn something.
Your questions make us reflect, which is something I don’t often do. We allow ourselves to become so busy that we forget the important.
The answers to your questions are difficult for me because my wife and I have agreed to not buy each other presents. And she buys the presents for the rest of the family. I know, bah humbug. But the worst present I ever gave (and probably more than once) was an electronic device “for my wife” that I then began using. And the best gift – at least most meaningful to me – was a pen I made for a great surgeon in Columbus who removed some large precancerous polyps from my wife.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! And remember, I still owe you dinner.
Merry Christmas to you and yours as well, Steve, and thanks so much for becoming a part of my life this year. I really appreciate your sharing your stories. I somehow still find find my wife a thing or two she enjoys every year. This year it’s a… oops, that would be telling. Hope you and your family enjoy the season and the New Year. And forget a dinner?! Perish the thought! I haven’t forgotten and will get back with you on that!
All the best to you and yours this Holliday Season, Joe.
Thank you, Joe. Best wishes and a Happy New Year to you and yours as well!
Best – I bought my sister-in-law a team signed poster of the USA Olympic Equestrian Team (I forget what year). When I saw the poster it struck me as a nice Christmas gift, but I had no idea it would bring her to tears. She is an amateur dressage rider.
Worst – I gave my mother-in-law a Keurig coffee maker last year for Christmas. She returned it a month later and told me she gets her coffee at the diner and maybe I could use it instead – ouch!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, Joe, and to all the faithful and unselfish writers here at TKZ! Looking forward to your blogging this coming year!
Those are two GREAT stories Phil, which is why I love when people comment. Your sister-in-law story…yep, that was the perfect gift. Unusual, hard-to-get, and perfectly matched with the giftee’s interest. As for the “worst”…may I make so bold as to state that the problem wasn’t with the gift or with you, the giver. I’m reminded of the comedian Gallagher, who used to riff on the commercial where a woman was given a watch and she said, “I had hoped for a Longines…” .He then offered a priceless comment which I would repeat except that this is a family friendly space. Heh heh.
Hope you have a GREAT Christmas. Thanks for sharing!