My seven year old is caught up in the Christmas spirit. She’s making lists, searching the internet and informing her Dad of the expensive gifts she wants (smart girl). Being a girl and being my daughter of course she wants clothes, clothes and more clothes. That’s easy.In the van on the way home from piano lessons the other night she asked me what I wanted for Christmas. This got me to thinking of the fun I used to have with the JC Penny Catalog and a pen. How for weeks prior to Christmas I would page through and mark what I wanted. How my list was always a work in progress with items crossed out and circled and highlighted and how magical Christmas was when I was able to open the packages under the tree. I was never disappointed. It wasn’t that I alway got what I wanted but no matter what I got it was always magical. My Mom made sure of that.
So in order to relive my youth in a small way I have decided to make a Christmas list. I may not have been a good girl this year but I did my best. In the end of course all I want for Christmas is for my daughters to have some of that magic that I recall from my childhood. (And for their Dad to get the expensive stuff)
1. Victoria’s Daughters by Jerrold M. Packard.
This is a book that delves into the lives of Queen Victoria’s 5 daughters whose royal duty was to further Britian’s interests through their marriages. Since I’m nearly finished with the biography of Queen Victoria that I’m reading by Christopher Hibbert I find that I’m more interested in the lives of her daughters.
2. The Ghost Whisperer – Second Season on DVD
3. Dashboard Confessional – The Shade of the Poison Tree CD
4. Cable Sweater in Black From Victoria’s Secret.
5. Long Babydoll Cardigan Sweater From Alloy.com
6. The Oxford Companion to Fairytales
7. Holiday Pathwork Bleeker Duffle from Coach
This girl likes bags. Even bags that are ridiculously expensive. It’s one of those “I’d feel bad if I even owned it but like to look at it anyway” items.
But I’d settle for a nice big and black bookshelf!
I too wore out the Christmas editions of both the Penney’s and Sears catalogs as a kid. You made an awesome list! Last night I began my Christmas shopping at Borders and actually had the new DC CD in my hand knowing someone who would appreciate it.
I ended up with the latest from The Strokes, and another CD by The Hold Steady. Thanks for sharing your wish list. One can never own enough bookcases.
The cardigan is très gorgeous. I’m sure your daughters will find Christmas as magical as you did.
I love the new avatar. You’re just as gorgeous as I might have guessed.
I love LOVE the bibliophile cave. I’m not sure I’d be willing to pay $7000 on it, but it’s pretty freakin’ awesome nonetheless.
I want the cave, but it is as big as my apartment.
I used to make tatters of the Sears Christmas Wish Book. My childhood Christmas’s were a collection of getting the “next most popular” toy, not the one I wanted. I’ve since learned popularity is over-rated.
DT: I just realized that came out when Amazon threw it in my face.
Pm: I think so too except I wish it came in a chocolate brown. I would find that color to be nice.
tsp: Thank you so much. I just was trying to be real! I think if I got boxes and duct tape I could make something approximating that for pennies.
Steve: Your comment made me laugh out loud as I recalled the year I got a homemade Cabbage Patch doll. Yeah it’s not the same… trust me. I did finally get the real kind though. The ironic thing is that the Cabbage Patch doll that I picked out looks almost exactly like my oldest daughter. Red hair and freckles.
Our dad had the money too, when me and my brother were growing up, but somehow we loved Christmas at moms the best, anyway.
That book cave is the #$%!
I covet the cave. Yep, I want that cave. I won’t get that cave, but I want it.
I love your new avatar.
It’s good to see you.
I got lost in the cave and forgot what I really wanted to say which was:
It seems to me that with a mom like you, your girls will have magical Christmases.
Oh! I have a holiday patchwork bag from Coach, but it’s not very big. The duffle is an ambitious wish!
I love the cave! I remember thumbing through the catalogs much the same as you – that was tons of fun, and my children did the same….
That pod person thing is just plain creepy!
But I approve of the rest of your list, which is, I’m sure, a huge relief to you.
Nice to see you back, Wurdzy.
Wurdz!
I’ve missed you — I have a bunch of books we should talk about, but it’s late and my contacts are burning in my eyes and I can’t remember any of them.
My favorite of those V’s Secret boucle sweaters is the v-neck. I got a couple of them last year and discovered I have to go up a size for it to fit properly. Well, either order up a size or start dieting. Guess what won.
I’m jealous of you. You Rock! I want to be you. I’m so not worthy!
Sob! I want clothes toooooooo!
And more bookshelves. But I need more walls to go with them.
My 3.5 yr old really likes looking at the toy ads from the Sunday paper. She’s busy for hours when I hand her the safety scissors and the toy ads. Nice.
What a super cave! I want one!
My kids still do this, look through catalogs and mark items with size and color and their name. Mostly it is the catalogs from Delia’s and Blue Fly and Urban Outfitters. I’m hoping they will take it easy on mom this year. (My kids are 25, 22, and 17; my son called today and says there isn’t much he needs or wants so he’s taking it easy this year. Yay!)
The supercave is cool looking, but I’m afraid it wouldn’t be comfy long term. Like, I want to be able to relax on my side on the sofa to read, and it doesn’t look like that would work. Lots of wasted space, too. But very innovative and cool at the same time!
I want to move for Christmas. I want to sell our home and move to a bigger one…where we will get all new bookshelves, and a library. Can you believe that? I can’t. Well, a guest room/library combo. But still.
But no nibbles on selling our current place, so my Christmas wishes may fall on deaf ears. Doesn’t Santa know anyone who wants a two bedroom townhouse in Northern CA?
I’ve tried to get into the Ghost Whisperer but am having a hard time. Am I missing something?
And, you have been tagged.