On Friday Jonah (age eight) got us together for lunch to select Secret Santas, also announcing that if we got our own names, we had to buy a present for ourselves.
And I did.
There was something so sweet about this –– buying a present for yourself and wrapping it up –– that I really enjoyed.
And I was determined to play by the rules ($20 budgets and/or re-gifted or handmade).
Re-infatuated with Tintin, I went to Karikter (which was walking distance in NYC from my old loft and only a short car ride away here) with Belle to browse their Tintin items.
Inspired by my Human Design re-evaluation of waiting, I’m re-learning French and thought that nothing could be better than buying one of the Tintins in the original French. I opted for “Les Bijoux de La Castafiore” and cannot wait to read it. How infinitely better than diving into a dreary textbook situation. [And how much more authentically like we actually really do learn a language as kids; half of my education was from comic books.]
Immediately afterwards, I had to buy food for Belle, and at the chic Mom and Pop pet store there were a stack of Baywoofs where Belle has a full 2 page centerfold spread with 4 pictures (far shorter on the web but check it out.) I unfolded one in front of the clerk, asking if they had a Celebrity Discount.
The clerk seemed utterly baffled and fumbled about their frequent buyer program, and while I tried to channel Jenna from 30 Rock saying “that’s for Normals, not Specials” I just sighed and paid full price.
Phone calls re: the cruise line that ordered a bunch of my old YOGA IN BED DVDs, then I signed up for a 2 for 1 boot camp special at House of Air for their trampoline workout –– I’ve got to shake things up, now quite literally –– and then home working on some belated Xmas gifts of my own.
Dinner –– framed by long hilly walks to and fro with Susan and Belle –– at our favorite Chinese restaurant with gift exchanges.
Just like being paid on New Year’s Eve for something I would have done willingly for free, I feel this Secret Santa sets the tone of perfect and loving Self-Generosity for 2012, totally on point and wonderful.
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