Christmas gifts

Ok, so I was reading a friend's blog and she was talking about the gifts she gave which made me want to talk about the gifts I gave. So, Heather, if you're reading this, I'm sorry. I totally stole this from you.
I'm always much more about the gifts I give than the gifts I receive. I mean, don't get me wrong. I get as excited as anybody about a gift card or a well-chosen gift (Thanks, mom, for the slipper shoes - they're awesome), but for me, gifts are all about the giving. I love taking the time to really ponder a great gift for someone. I wish I could say that I did a good job of gift-giving this year, but unfortunately, I was in a major time crunch this fall so my Christmas giving was lackluster at best. And, I did give Amy my mother's gift instead of hers, which she promptly took to Idaho with her. However, I did manage to fit in a few winners. So, without further ado, my list of successful Christmas gifts.
- Taking Mom and Dad to a steakhouse in DC for a really yummy meal that they don't usually treat themselves to. I think that was a winner. They don't say much, but I think they really liked it.
- A good recording of Handel's Messiah for Amy. Amy asked me to borrow mine one day and I realized that I didn't actually own it so I got her a good one... and she's the kind of girl that appreciates it. snazzy.
- Laminated parking instructions for Heinz Field for Tara. You wouldn't think it was so great, but paired with an atlas marked with our road trips and a Steelers car flag, it was a winner.
- a silver "S" necklace for my sis-in-law, Steph. I actually thought I wimped out on this one, but I think she really liked it. She said she'd always wanted one, but never had one. Score.
- a talking pizza cutter for my brother. No, really, I'm serious. Thanks to Tara on this one. It was an impulse buy at Heinz Field on Christmas Eve at her prompting, but it was totally the star of the show. My brother laughed like I remember him laughing ten or fifteen years ago. I love that laugh. That lighthearted spirit is something I love about him. So, if a gift gets that laugh, you're good.
- a book about knots for Jeremy. If you know Jeremy, you know why this is great. Jeremy - have you made me a ladder yet?

So, even though I felt like I didn't get meaningful gifts, I think I still did an okay job in the end. Merry Christmas a little late.