Christmas gifts and Pimp My Daughter

I hope everyone had a great Christmas!

I love watching my children open their gifts on Christmas morning. It’s such fun. This year, my son got his first bicycle. He’s still trying to figure out the pedals and is a bit freaked out by the training wheels, but I imagine he’ll learn.

My daughter received a trunk of dress-up clothes. They were a huge hit. As soon as she saw what the trunk contained, she had to put on a princess dress, tiara, high-heeled slippers, bracelets, and wave a star wand. I thought she was cute. My husband thought the dress-up trunk should be renamed “Pimp My Daughter.” She was tricked out in everything sparkly, princessy, and girly. It was exceedingly tacky and she had a blast.

We have a tradition where the elves, the reindeer, and Mrs. Claus all give gifts. Any time a tag reads that it’s from Mrs. Claus, it means the gift is underwear or pajamas. The reindeer and elves give gifts and games. Santa gives the good stuff.

When I was growing up, the only thing I ever wanted was a Barbie Dream House. I pored over the catalogue, staring at it so hard it’s a wonder the pages didn’t wilt from all the drool coming from my eight-year-old mouth. It was like the Red Ryder BB gun gift mentioned in the movie “A Christmas Story.” But I didn’t get the Dream House. I got a plastic shelf.

Yes, my thrifty parents wanted me to use my imagination. “It has four floors!” my mother exclaimed. “It’s like an apartment building. You can store your books on it, too.” Gee, thanks, Mom. I always wanted a shelf. Can’t you just picture the elementary school conversations?

“I got a dirt bike!”
“I got a dog!”
“I got an electric scooter!”

And me? “Ooooh, guys, I can top this! I got a shelf!” :loser:

But this year, 25 years late I might add, Santa finally came through. My parents bought me a Barbie Dream House. And they had the nerve to install it in my daughter’s room.

Mom’s explanation? “It got lost in the mail.” Riiiiiight….

What gifts did you want for Christmas as a child that you didn’t get?

**Update: My “Call Story” for my first sale is up on the Pink Heart Society’s Blog. Stop by if you want to read the whole saga.

Also…Santa Claus brought me another present this year…but I’m not saying what until after the New Year! A little suspense, perhaps?