So I've made a dent in my Christmas shopping. Now I just have to get gifts for my sister's three boys, aged 17, 13 and 11. I haven't a clue what to get them. They are all into sports, and the oldest one wants a car. Unfortunately, that is beyond my means.

I revived my Netflix membership, which I had canceled after I had E. I saw Firelight, which a friend recommended and I enjoyed. It was sort of a mix between Jane Eyre and The Piano (without the gruesome elements of the latter). I also saw An Education in the movie theater. It was about a 16-year-old (who turns 17 in the course of the movie) and gets mixed up with an older man (who looks to be all of 38). I liked it right up till the ending. Instead of a happy one, it was of the punch-in-the-gut variety. The screenplay was written by Nick Hornby and it was intelligent and nuanced...but oh, that ending.

May I mention that I hate New Year's? It's got to be my least favorite holiday of the year. There's just something artificial, not to mention sad, about marking the passing of another year.

I do like Christmas, though. Aside from the shopping. Particularly Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. Maybe there will be coffee cake...

Comments

Perplexio said…
I've been wanting to see An Education largely due to Hornby writing it. Even his 2 books that I haven't enjoyed as much How to Be Good and A Long Way Down were not complete wastes of time. I did enjoy them, I just found them less enjoyable than High Fidelity, About a Boy, and now Juliet, Naked.

And as for your 17 year old nephew, might I recommend getting a Matchbox or Hot Wheels car as a gag gift (to go along with whatever else you might already be getting him).

For sports are your nephews into playing sports or are they also into watching sports? If they're into watching sports too and all enjoy the same sports, might I recommend getting one gift for all of them. Pay for one of those sports packages for whichever sport all 3 of them like the most. Heck if it's basketball or hockey those seasons are almost half over and a lot of cable & satellite companies offer reduced rates for ordering the packages for the balance of the season. Baseball packages tend to be a bit more expensive and, unfortunately, they wouldn't get to enjoy a baseball cable package until late March... Just a thought though. For basketball or hockey you might be able to get the balance of this season for around $100 and divided by 3 boys that works out to $33.33 each. I'm not sure what you normally spend on them, but that might be your easiest solution. Or perhaps a subscription to Sports Illustrated for the 17 or 13 year old.
Bearette said…
They're into playing and watching sports...football, baseball, basketball, I think. They probably have all the cable packages. But Sports Illustrated is a great idea. Thanks!
judy in ky said…
Hi! I am still reading blogs, as you can see!
I feel the same way about birthdays that you do about New Years... the passing of another year, and you have to add another number onto your age.
But, you are still young and probably don't feel as bad about that as I do!
I tend to see New Years as a chance for a new beginning, but unfortunately that feeling doesn't last too long, as you begin to realize nothing has really changed.
blackcrag said…
I'm wondering what to get my B-mum. And my brother's girlfriend. I think I'll go the smelly soap route for both.

I agree about New Year's. It is artificial.
Anonymous said…
I think we've talked about this before, but I also hate New Year's. Ugh.
Bearette said…
blackcrag - smelly soap? I like that :)

Liz - I knew we were kindred spirits! High five :)
BabelBabe said…
gift cards.
Bearette said…
BB - i finally, finally finished my shopping. i'm giving cash to the teenagers.

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