The pretty part.

Shopping for Christmas used to be fun. It might have something to do with the fact I am a mom AND I have teenage boys. I am not alone. Every boy mom I greet, immediately after hello comes, “What are you getting your boys for Christmas?” We are dumbfounded, having given all our ideas to the relatives. Throw gifts in for hubby and we are double stuck.  For me, I think I have lost the art of gift giving, or is it heart?

Girl moms do not have this problem; I checked. “Oh girls are easy. They just want clothes or jewelry,” my girl mom friend confesses. I don’t remember it being this easy for my mom. I wanted a peacoat one year. My mom picked a frumpy navy blue wool jacket, made for someone her age. She nailed the navy color, just not the NAVY style. We did not have the same taste.

Boy moms want our cutie-pies to be as excited about a cool new tee as they were getting a shiny new fire truck. We want to build excitement and anticipation. For my boys, I have ideas like flannel shirts or cool tees. But like my mom, I know I’ll most likely bomb, as not all flannel plaid is created equal. I don’t see the difference just like my mom couldn’t with that navy coat.

Kind of pretty for fish bait. Ornaments?

I ask for ideas but I’m not going to buy fishing lures as I have less of an eye for fish bait than I do flannel shirts. So, my younger son bought his lures with my credit card. I will wrap them. I didn’t have to shop nor will I worry about returns but it’s not exactly a surprise. He will however, be excited as he love lures like I love shoes. He loves opening any package, so at least that is still a thrill.

For my older son, I took a shot at surprise. I didn’t ask. I cruised through my InStyle magazine and found the list of cool gifts for guys. I loved the idea of a bomber jacket for my sixteen year-old. He’s into fashion. I told him I was going to surprise him for Christmas.*

“Of course.” He said sarcastically like it happens all the time. GRRR. I don’t know if he’ll like it but the thrill of finding a cool, meaningful gift, even if it’s fleeting is worth it.

As it turns out, the parents are not going to be surprised either. Husbands are not any easier than boy teens. I picked up a couple of hip zip-up jackets and showed him the options ahead of time. Of course he doesn’t mind the lack of surprise on Christmas, as he doesn’t always remember it’s on December 25^th. Unbelievable but it happened one year when he booked flights to Colorado for Christmas Eve, not fathoming how Santa was going get his job done in time for Christmas morning.

If the jacket wasn’t right, I wanted time to fix it. One was passable, yay! The other, the cool one I almost wrestled off the mannequin until I found one on the shelf, went back to the store. Not even my teens liked it. Gads, I couldn’t give the darn thing away. No wonder I’m not having fun.

For myself, I shopped online for a new wallet, as I knew where to find the discount and thought it would be easier to get it. Hubby was relieved. I find this ironic as he advised his chiropractor on gift giving for wives. The chiropractor’s wife will not tell her hubby what she wants as he should know. I get where she is coming from but the poor guy is lost. I get where he is coming from too. Hubby was very proud of his recommendation. He said I’m rubbing off on him.

“You have to get her something. How about an infinity scarf,” suggested hubby.

“What’s an infinity scarf?” his chiropractor asked.

“Just Google Nordstrom and infinity scarf. You’ll find it.”

“Would you look at that,” he exclaimed as a zillion scarfs pop up on the chiro’s smart phone. It was a Christmas miracle.

Being aware of what a person might like is part of the sentiment of gift giving, the heart, just like the chiro’s wife suggested. That’s the fun I think is missing from my Christmas shopping: Finding that special gift and waiting in anticipation to see the look of joy and surprise when it is opened by a gracious receiver. I think I have my first new year resolution.

May you have a joyous holiday filled with surprises and no gift returns.

*My boys rarely read my blog so the gift secrets are still secret.