I love gifts.

I love to get them, but even more, i love to give them. A while back i read this article and was inspired. the writer said that she works very hard to try to get the right gift for the recipient. Not just a gift that she likes, but something she thinks the other person will love, and appreciate.

i used to be one of those people with a gift closet. y’all know what i’m talking about. The closet that’s filled with platters that were on sale, board games, baby gifts, wedding gifts that we got in triplicate. they were all in there, waiting, to be given away.

need a gift for a teacher? check the closet.

need a gift for a baby? closet.

need a housewarming gift? yep, you guessed it, straight into the closet.

but i’m seen the error of my ways, and decided to try to start buying gifts to match the person, and not just give them something i’ve had tucked away in a closet in Isabella’s bedroom.

There are, of course, exceptions to this rule. children’s birthday parties, for example. my children are invited to party upon party. they never stop. it seems like they have a party every sunday. both of them. and the gift-giving is never-ending . and it can get expensive. and it’s too hard to think personally when you are giving to a child you know in name only. so, i stock up. i hit Miko and Toys r us and walmart for good sales and buy multiples of good gifts to put away for parties. (please note: if you are one of my GOOD friends, this is NOT the case. for the children of close friends, i actually take my children to the store to help pick gifts that we think they will like)

also…baby gifts. My mother buys a shitload of clothing for my children. anyone who knows me is aware of this fact. She’s insane. But she buys so much stuff, that my children often outgrow the size she’s buying before they have a chance to wear any of them. so…i’m stuck with, let’s say 45 baby outfits in 3-6 that still have tags on them. Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, gymboree, deux par deux, hartstrings, zutano, absorba…you name it, she buys it.

so, personally, i don’t see the harm in giving these as gifts. they are nice, i would like to get them as a gift. in fact, i liked getting them the first time around…i just had no use for them.

some would call this re-gifting. and frown upon this. but, i think there should be a different name for giving a gift that you love love love but just have no use for. I don’t think it’s a bad thing. The clothes are beautiful and brand spanking new. and most of them are from the states, which is a big bonus for all the Canadian moms out there. also, i would NEVER give something that i didn’t like. I wouldn’t never give anyone a gift that i would be embarrassed to hear them say, “look what i got from Ali! she sure gives shitty gifts, doesn’t she?!”

so..what about you? what’s your gift-giving style? ever regifted anything? ever had an embarrassing story? a regifting scandal? what’s the best gift you ever got? gave? what’s the worst gift you ever got?

South Beach watch:

it’s officially day 4. i’ve passed over what some say is “the worst day” i made it. the rest should be smooth sailing from here. i’ve been so good. i’ve stuck to the rules. i’ve eaten no sugar. no carbs. i’ve been having breakfast, which is a tough one for me. i’m not a breakfast kind of girl. coffee only, thanks.

i’m now waiting for the pounds to fall off. i’m holding steady at one pound down. i’m not discouraged yet, but if i don’t start to see some results soon, i’m going to be pissed. and pissed and i are NOT a good combination.

so, we’ll see. i’m going to stick it out at least a week. Ilana told me to throw out my scale, but i can’t bring myself to do it. i need some sort of feedback to indicate whether or not all this hard work is worth it…because i’m beginning to think it’s not. but…a week. sunday morning. until then, i’lll go and eat my 15 cashews.

come over and visit me at Fabulous today.

Oh my Heavenly Days! someone – i have NO idea who – nominated me for this! come on over and vote for me! oh my lordy….in two categories, too! best personal blog AND best family blog! i’ve never been nominated for anything before.