So what's on your christmas list

My kids were all excited telling me what they wanted for christmas and all I was thinking was that I could really do without more toys to clear up around the house.  To get them out of my hair I sent them to make a list to which they promptly responded, "aren't you making a list as well"?  So I thought why not.

As expected their christmas lists were full of toys and electronic games they were looking forward to having, my christmas list was full of convenience home appliances. 

How practical and boring we can become once we have kids and responsibilities.  In the past when I dated my husband I always looked forward to some romantic jewellery gifts or delightful surprise for christmas, birthdays and anniversaries.  So when did I stop wanting to pamper myself or have I stopped pampering myself?   Personally I think that if Santa did bring me my wish list for christmas, it would be the best treat I ever had.

So what's on your list?  Here's my christmas list:

juicer - since attending that Eucerin beauty event I am still trying to do better at increasing my antioxidant intake so some smoothies for breakfast are in order.

breadmaker - I viewed a house a couple of weeks ago and the aroma of fresh bread baking simply brought back memories of growing up.  I grew up on home made bread, cakes, pastries etc and really dream of going back to basics and giving my kids that experience.  I want them to have a sense that bread and cakes does not only come out of a bakery or supermarket.  It's like when you vacation in the rural parts of England and order a ham sandwich at a quaint tea room and the bread looks and taste absolutely homemade and the ham nothing like you buy in the shop - now that's priceless.

steam generator iron - been reading about theses steam generator irons in Essentials magazine which according to them "blasts at least twice as much steam as steam irons".  All I can think is how easy it will be to iron my son's karate uniforms with one of these.

LG 11kg steam direct drive washing machine - 11kg barrel - just think of how much I can wash in one go.  Plus the steam gives a deeper clean and with a special steam-only programme, wrinkles and odours can be removed without doing a full wash cycle. Very handy indeed, not to mention energy saving.

soup maker love soup especially in the winter it is absolutely warming. So a soup maker like cuisineart which cooks and blends the soup means no messy kitchen after or stove to clean.  Not to mention when I'm not making soup my cuisineart can also crush ice for a cool cocktail or make nutritious smoothies.  Two in one even better.  Santa may not have to worry with the juicer after all.

Anniversary gifts for her

I do look forward to my wedding anniversary every year with much anticipation. Each time I wonder, "what is he going to get me this year?" He usually manages to surprise me with some great gift ideas but I know that I would hate to be a man buying anniversary gifts for me, as I know I can be fussy and not very good at hiding my disappointment I'm afraid.

Why is it men find gift buying for valentines day, birthday etc so challenging? I don't know. Simply give the woman what she wants is what I say. But my guess is that gifts for her usually go wrong when shopping for it is left for the last minute like picking up a gift in the train station 10 minutes before your train.

I remember my teenage years spent working in department stores for Christmas and the fear and desperation on the face of some men as they hunt for the perfect gift for her on christmas eve.   Not good enough guys all I can say is thank god for returns and exchange policy and gift vouchers.
Here are some tips on getting the perfect gift for her:

-Don't panic buy. I know you men love gadgets and technology so start by putting reminders in your phone, desktops etc re these important gift buying occasions.

- Keep a record of what you have given your wife, partner, girlfriend in the past if you are in a long standing relationship

- Most importantly, remember what she did not like the last time.

- start thinking about gift ideas way in advance and shopping weeks before the event to avoid buying a ridiculously expensive, meaningless or inappropriate gift - like earrings when your loved ones ears are not pierced.

- luxury gifts are great but ensure that it suits her personality as this really shows that you have put some thought into it.

- think outside of the box and look for unique gifts. If you do go for jewellery find some unique and unusual womens jewellery gifts.