Opposites attract

I have an unexpected morning off so I thought what better thing to occupy my time than to blog! So Andy and I obviously have a lot in common, we love to read, we have common goals and values, and family is our number one priority. However, we have opposite views on a few things. Like Christmas, he is all about the practical gifts, examples? Stuff Andy has asked for this year: Long underwear, sweaters, wool socks. I on the other hand, think that Christmas is a time when I get to be a tiny bit frivolous, I get to give some fun stuff, some useless stuff, or something I would never buy for myself. Examples? A kindle, video games, an mp3 player. I rest my case. This is how I roll with Christmas, I want it to be fun. However, this year I'm having a really hard time.

I don't know if it's the insanely strict budget we have been on or the fact that I am actually becoming a (gulp) grownup but I'm having a really hard time shopping for fun things this year. Every gift I think about buying for Andy goes through a rigorous mind test "How much will he use it? What purpose does it serve? How much space will it take up? Does he really need this?" and usually the answer comes up short. I mean seriously, I'm not even halfway done shopping for him. Usually I'm done in November, but this year it. is. hard. I mean in past years I've done a kick ass job if I do say so myself. Some examples: Red Wings Jersey, Califone Record player, Hans Solo Mr. Potato Head. Maybe my creativity is just spent? My best friend since elementary school is going to be in town this week and we're meeting up tomorrow so I am hoping some creative juices get flowing or she can push me along so maybe I can get something great for my husband our first married Christmas together.

Cross fingers for me please!

Lame-O

Do you remember when you were a kid and it was around Christmas time (or another holiday or your birthday) and you were opening presents, digging into that pretty wrapping and finding some of the coolest things, only to reach one that wasn't so cool, like socks? Then you'd get that fake, frozen smile and say thank you, when really your eyes are saying "What the heck man? Where is the Barbie?" I know that you all know what I'm talking about, now the real question, when does that all change? When do the Barbie dolls and race cars turn into clothes and socks and other practical nonsense?

I say this because Andy and I are currently in the process of making out our Christmas lists to send to our families and I'm looking these over and thinking, really? When did I become so lame? Need an example:

Amanda's List
-Attachable book light for kindle
-The Talavera Split Ender
- Slipper Socks
- Gift Cards to Home Depot or Lowe's

Andy's List
- Sweaters size M
- Craftsman Standard Wrenches
- Big comfy socks (not slipper socks) wool/ not too itchy
- Knife from Bed Bath and Beyond registry

Seriously? We are lame. But in all honesty, it's cool because I'm probably more excited about some of these items then I was about toys when I was a little kid. Maybe I'm just boring or maybe I've grown-up and realized that practical gifts that I will use every day rather than just on Christmas morning are so much better. Oh, and just so you know, those aren't the complete lists, we really aren't that boring. I do have some fun items written down (some that I know for a fact I won't get but it's fun to dream, like a Coach purse), as does Andy but quite a few of them are just like the ones listed above and made me scratch my head.

So what do all of you want for the holidays? Are you practical or fun? Or are you like Andy and I and have a little mix of both?