The Gifts

Posted: December 27, 2010 at 10:00 pm

Christmas means so much more to me than the material items, but I can’t lie that those are still fun too. I mean, who doesn’t like presents? I got some nice ones too.

We do Secret Santa with both my immediate family and Peter’s family. My sister had me this year and picked out a couple of gifts perfect for me.

Catch Phrase because I LOVE game nights with friends and family.

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Also, a gorgeous new camera strap cover for my DSLR. I can’t wait until it comes in the mail sometime in the next week. Isn’t it pretty?

NEW Camera Strap Slipcover StudioE Flourish ZigZag and Chain Combo FREE Padding and Lens Cap Pocket

I also received a special item from my cousins – a new study Bible directed to mothers. I see this getting a lot of use.

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Peter’s side of the family knew what I would love too. Gear to make my time in the kitchen more fun. My little brother in law got me a waffle maker and my great sister in law picked out an immersion blender with extra attachments for me. We used both for breakfast yesterday morning. Homemade waffles with strawberry compote topping!

For the waffles, we just used the basic recipe provided with the maker.

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For the strawberry topping, I took about 1.5 cups of frozen strawberries and microwaved them until they got soft and oozy. Then, I took the immersion blender to them until I had a puree.

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It made for the perfect waffle topping when garnished with a smidge of powdered sugar. I love my new toys!

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I also may purchase a few extra gifts for myself with my Christmas money. Like these…

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…because I seriously need new shoes. (Brooks Adrenaline GTS 10)

And perhaps this??? It certainly looks very appealing!

Question of the Evening – What do you do with Christmas money you receive? Spend or save? Peter & I are normally big savers, but I do like to use a bit of it for something fun. And what could be more fun than workout gear? 😀

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58 Comments to “The Gifts”
  1. I love catchphrase! It’s so fun.

  2. This year we are definitely saving our money! When I was in college and had less responsibilities I would spend a little more or go on a little vaca with friends!

  3. Oh go for TurboFire hun! It is an absolute blast! By far what I consider to be the best Beachbody program put out yet (and I’m not just saying that because I am a coach with them). 🙂 It is an intense, fun, energizing and inspiring program.

    This year we asked for a toned down Christmas. With our wedding we just felt over spoiled with so many items. Instead we focused on time with family. Though the few gifts that snuck in under the tree include a bit of $$$ for Lululemon!!! Oh dear…

  4. There is no greater gift than workout gear. It just keeps on giving. 🙂

    I wear Brooks too. They are the best!

  5. Julie says:

    I just started reading your blog–love it! The Bible you got for Christmas caught my eye; can you tell me what it is called and where your sister got it for you?

    • Tina says:

      It was simply called New Mother’s Devotional Study Bible by Zondervan press. I’m not sure where exactly they got it, but you could probably find something very similar at a Christian book store. 🙂

  6. I wear the same running shoes! And love catch phrase and immersion blenders. I’d be happy with all your gifts! 😀

  7. Mandy says:

    Oh turbofire how I want you:)

  8. My mother in law gave us money in the form of an AmEx prepaid card, meaning we had to spend it. We got a new knife block, and a new Wustof knife.
    Typically, I like to save most of my gift money, but if it comes in the form a prepaid credit card, I spend it! Last year, I got new running shoes!

  9. Oooo, those shoes look super rad!!

  10. WAFFLES! You know I love my waffles!!! Great gifts. I normally use Christmas money for my ad velorum…it comes this month…booo!

  11. I heart Catch Phrase! We used to play it in college all the time… and with the fam. Definitely a game for everyone! 🙂

    I’m saving a lot of my Christmas cash. I’ve got some expensive things coming up this year (a friend’s wedding… VEGAS… )

  12. Any money I received for Christmas is going into my DSLR fund. 🙂

  13. I have those exact same Brooks… I love them! Also, that camera strap is so cute!

  14. Jen says:

    Catch Phrase? I got the board game for my sister for Christmas and we played it all weekend! Oh how I love that game!

    As for Christmas money? I spend it!! I buy myself something nice 🙂

  15. Jen says:

    Oh and sweetie, have you added your city info to Location Central yet? It’s where you can see who blogs by you. We’re all on there!

    http://www.LocationCentral.blogspot.com

  16. My husband got that same waffle maker for Christmas. We had delicious homemade waffles this morning. 🙂 And I have the same immersion blender.
    I don’t get any Christmas money, but if I did I’d probably buy clothes. I love clothes shopping but never buy things for myself anymore!

  17. I am such a saver. When I was younger and living at my parent I would spend and spend. That is no longer the case! Catch phrase love!!

  18. Camille says:

    That camera strap is sooo nice! I am in the process of trying to find a really awesome one 🙂

  19. chelsey says:

    Looks like you had some good gifts! When it comes to money for gifts, I usually spend it on things I normally wouldn’t get. Our rule is that if we get money that we normally wouldn’t have in our budget, we should spend it on something for ourselves! However, if it’s a tight month, we might use it for things like… groceries. 🙂

  20. Jenn says:

    Looks like Santa did a good job! and ohmygosh those waffles look AH-MAZING!

  21. Kat says:

    What a gorgeous camera strap and study bible! I love the way that it’s aimed towards mothers.

    I completely agree on the running shoes front – best gift you can give yourself, really.

  22. When we get Christmas money, we also get strict orders to NOT use it on gas or groceries 🙂 We usually spend some of it on a nice dinner or small trip that we wouldn’t have done otherwise. This year we are going up to Davis/Sacramento (where we went to school and met) to see some friends and eat at some of our favorite restaurants.

  23. Catchphrase is a BLAST! What a fabulous gift!!

  24. I am a good saver with money I earn, but I have to spend Christmas money! That’s what it’s for! 🙂

  25. Kristi says:

    I usually save my money for something “big” I want. Some of my money this year is going to be spent on an outing to Trader Joe’s!

  26. Tatianna says:

    I save Christmas money.. but that’s because I save all of my money usually 😛 I always think that holding onto it for at least a few months is a good idea… because then if you decide to spend it you can treat yourself when there’s no real celebration going on and it’s so much more fun!

  27. I can’t wait to hear your review of turbo fire! I’ve been dying to buy one of those dvd sets.

  28. Oh the Turbo Fire! I couldn’t convince the hubby that I “needed” that one 😉 I typically save the Christmas money and try to put it towards a larger, for-the-home type of item.

  29. allison says:

    We got the new catchphrase (we use to have the old one with the paper inserts and the sand timer) and my super competitive family loves it hahaha we have been playing it pretty much non stop since christmas:):) New bible are always exciting lol even though its the exact same thing inside its always nice to have a fun new cover:) And i got my sister a waffle maker this year!

  30. We didn’t receive much Christmas money this year so it went into the piggy bank! But we may save up and use part of it for another Kinect game for the XBOX or a night out on the town. But, I’d feel guilty spending it … so it will probably sit in the piggy for awhile.

  31. Alaina says:

    I didn’t receive any money but both my husband and my mom bought me a food processor so I’m taking one back and getting credit at Bed Bath & Beyond. I am going to have a field day!!! 🙂

  32. Karen says:

    You should get TurboFire. I got it once I saw Gina (Fitnessista) doing it and I love it!!

  33. the camera strap is gorgeous!!! where is it from?!

  34. Kacy says:

    Great presents! I didn’t get any Christmas money but I do plan to use my bonus to buy a vacuum and a Garmin 🙂

  35. Kelly says:

    I wish I had something glamorous but honestly…I used all my Christmas money this year on my medical bills from when I chopped my pinky off this past August. Sigh…but at least I was being responsible, right??

  36. I SO want to get Turbo Fire! I’ve heard it’s simply awesome – I say go for it! …or the new shoes…depending on which you’d get more use out of…or if you can afford it, get both!

    Can you tell I’m totally a SPENDER?! This year though we actually didn’t get ANY money for Christmas. My mom usually sends us a check (about a hundred bucks maybe?) to use however we want but this year she got us a DSLR!!!! She knew we’ve both wanted one for a while & decided to splurge on us this year. It’s been SO FUN playing with it & we’re already starting a list of new/extra lenses we want to get down the road.

    • Tina says:

      I think the DSLR is super exciting! That was my mother’s day gift this year bec Peter found a great deal. I still love it!

  37. Rachel says:

    I too own and LOVE my MOM Devotional Bible ! 🙂

  38. Karen says:

    I love Catch Phrase! Even my teen will play it with his friends.

  39. Melissa says:

    Awesome gifts!!

    Love that camera strap. I also got an immersion blender which I’m so excited to try out!

    Have fun spending your Christmas cash!!

  40. I LOVE Catch Phrase! Great game. 🙂
    I try to save some money, but who am I kidding? Most of it gets spent. 😉

  41. Ameena says:

    I love the waffle maker! I bought one last year and it is the appliance we use the most.

    I am a total saver…I always deposit my Christmas money and don’t look back. Unless I’m near a Bloomingdale’s of course and then all bets are off…

  42. I love getting presents from people who KNOW you. 🙂 Looks like you got awesome things! With my $ I like to get things I need but normally would not buy for myself like shoes or clothes.

    • Tina says:

      That’s how I do things too. I can’t spend it on anything too extravagant…but will do things I need but don’t buy often enough. Must be the mom in us.

  43. i LOVE catch phrase! at ovenight camp we used to play that game every single night it is SO addicting!!!! glad you got such great gifts, you deserve it, mama!!

    I try to save but usually spend it right away LOL

  44. My sisters and I love catchphrase! Always a good time 🙂 I like to do a little of both as well – spend and save.

  45. Summer says:

    I loved my Brooks Adrenaline! I just bought new shoes, and they recommended a different one, a Saucony. We’ll see! I also asked for an immersion blender for Christmas but didn’t get it 🙁 Guess I’ll have to rely on some of my leftover Christmas money!

  46. TurboFire/TurboJam was on my Christmas list!! I didn’t get it, but I am still considering it with my money.

    I have a hard time spending my holiday/birthday money on myself and not the bills. It is a fine line I think!

  47. Merry Christmas, Tina. 🙂 I hope you had a wonderful one…it sounds like you did!

    I must say, I’m a little jealous of your blender! I could definitely use one!

    H and I spent our Christmas money on two ceiling fans, diapers, and curtains for our little ones’ new bedroom. We’re moving the two girls in together, which should be pretty interesting!

    PS: LOVE the kicks!

  48. Holly says:

    I love ALL Of your gifts! Catch Phrase is so fun, I need to pull that out again. I’m glad you treated yourself to some goodies, too! I agree – usually I am pretty big on saving (I’ll save about 75% and spend 25%),but this year, it’s pretty much the other way around….. 😉

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