My Dad is hilarious when it comes to buying gifts, and practical. One year he bought me a new toilet seat for my apartment because the one I had was slightly busted and old.
One of the things that is so charming about my father and he's still the only one who wraps the presents these days (I actually unwrapped the toilet seat). Mom will just hand everything over in a shopping bag because she's usually working double shifts at the hospital right around now. Dad's new thing is getting me lots of things to do with cutlery and knives. He's had this great hunting knife collection that I would always admire as a child. I feel that my current knife collection (kitchen knives, of course) is not only larger but also slowly turning into a monster, so much that I could join the circus if I wanted to. Again, all chefs like to collect knives.

Me, on the other hand, I need a new knife like I need a hole in my head. Got that Dad? The past few years have been hectic for me, and while my family only lives several hours away, it is sometimes difficult to get upstate to see them. I'll try this year, braving the Amtrak and Greyhound crowds. It is most definitely winter in NY (it's about 40ËšF outside right now). Everywhere you look, it's shopping season. Bing Crosby and I are becoming fast friends. It seems a bit odd to me when I'm asked what I want for Christmas.