Christmas Gift Giving

In my extended family, we pick names for Christmas gift giving (usually at an annual Labor Day party). We have 29 participants this year.

We also have a separate list for kids under 15, who buy for each other.

Carlos, now that we’re out to the family, is on the list for the first time. My Uncle Greg has his name this year. My Aunt Mary (shopping for her husband) has told me that she has grand plans. I don’t want to reveal anything here, knowing that Carlos reads this.

My immediate family also picks names. With my parents, two sisters and all spouses, there are eight of us on this list. This year, I picked my Dad’s name. I emailed my Mom to ask her for some ideas. The past times I have picked his name (and for Father’s Day), I gave him the usual ties and golf accessories. I’m trying to branch out this year.


Here is the email my Mom sent back. It struck me as quite funny.

Well, you know we both have more stuff than we really need - especially HIM. I know y'all think this is none too creative, but what about tickets to something? He loves Jazz Fest - we both do - but those tickets are kind of expensive.

Tickets to the show are good also - but Canal Place is closing for six months to be renovated by the Solomons. The Prytania is open, though, and they have fabulous shows. We never go to Elmwood, so forget that. (You know, the first show you ever went to was at the Prytania – you were about three months old and slept through the whole thing - 'cause you know, we only lived two houses away then).

We already have tickets to the opera, the symphony, Le Petit and UNO basketball so don't get those. We don't have tickets to The Saenger, but those are real expensive. Another idea would be food: A gift certificate to a restaurant or a basket of stuff he likes - like all that German stuff I hate: Bratwurst, liver cheese, smoked sausage. Hope this gives you some ideas. My people are sooooo easy this year: Karlie and Chad. Don't say anything, but both are getting the new Josh Besh cookbook - AUTOGRAPHED, and not just upstairs, but really, really autographed. Love Mom

Yes, she means John Besh.

When the actual author is not available, my Mom is known to change her handwriting and “autograph” a gift book. Our family knows this, but her friends must have quite a few fakes.

When she went to Rome a few years ago, she brought back a rosary blessed by the Pope. After some follow up questions, I found out that “blessed by the Pope” meant she bought the rosary in a store in New Orleans and put it into a small jewelry box. Ahhhh, mothers!