I get into the Christmas (or holiday spirit) or the Tristmas spirit as we say in my neck of the woods, oh, 'bout July. No bah humbuggin' here. I am spoiled. Rotten. No really. I was born on the 21st, so was Marie (mom), no not of December, but it doesn't matter, because every 21st day of the month my mom wishes us a joint happy birthday and we do something special, or she gives me something, even if it's little. If this is how I am treated all year long, Tristmas has always been delightful, the mother lode, filled with the joy only a spolied child could garner. So, I know we can't all have a Marie (trust me it comes with a 'catch' like her believing it's okay to be out in public in her pajama's and having no censor in her brain so she says whatever is on her mind, all the time, particularly if it's TOTALLY embarassing, inappropiate and we are in front of people) but we can get into some sort of spirit, of course, not on my level, but degree's of it. So in the spirit of 'Tristmas' I will slowly give some gift giving suggestions...
I'm happy to buy handmade, I am even happier when I can make by hand but some things are just nice to receive when they are an indulgence that you wouldn't normally buy for yourself. I firmly believe that Maria Evora soaps fall into the latter category, they are imported from Spain and well, they smell like soap, just clean, not perfumy. They are molded into the shape of a cameo are available in ebony or alabaster (so classic and neutral, vintage or modern). A bar will run you under $10 (about $7), it might be nice to give two. They sell them in pretty boxes of four for under $30 if you want to spend a bit extra. You will get Brownie points for finding something imported, giving something useful and you won't be selling your kidneys after the holiday because you are in debt! Phew...
I will be sure to ply you with more suggestions for staying out of debt for this holiday season. I do think the cookies are always a good idea, or any baked goods, really folks no fruitcake or panettone (basically Italian fruitcake) I don't know anyone under the age of 100 that likes it and anyone that is 100 doesn't have the teethe to enjoy it so, forgo the fruitcakes, k?
