Surprise!

For Chuck's birthday, Vera has told him they will have dinner with a couple of close friends at his favorite restaurant. They have to go to the other couple's house to pick them up. When they get there, thirty people jump up and shout "Surprise!" Chuck forces himself to smile and socialize during the party. But he really feels miserable. Being the center of attention in a large group of people is always a little embarrassing for him. He's been feeling sensitive about his age lately, so calling attention to it like this makes him uncomfortable. Worst of all, he was really looking forward to a special dinner with good friends at a wonderful restaurant, and not getting that is deeply disappointing to him. He knows that Vera meant well, but he feels that a promise was broken and that something he truly wanted was taken away from him.

Bobbleheads

I love personalized gifts!

My husband was surprised and delighted to receive these cute bobblehead versions of us. He plays the guitar, and although I'm no singer, in this case it seemed only appropriate that I get behind the microphone to accompany him.

I ordered these online from Face It Figures, and I was quite pleased with the service. You can find several other companies who make these by doing a Google search on "personalized bobbleheads". There are many different body types available to suit whatever profession, hobby or fantasy you may have. Be aware that you will need to get started 6 to 8 weeks before the gift-giving occasion. You will need good, clear pictures of each person's face in full front and profile poses.

Bobbleheads always make people smile, and they are great conversation starters. An individual doll is a fun gift for any occasion, and a pair would be perfect for an engagement, wedding or anniversary. My hubby liked these so much that he posted photos on Facebook and used his as his profile picture.

Special Presents

In theory, it should be easy to choose gifts for the people we love the most. After all, we know them so well. Their hobbies, favorite foods, taste in clothes, what makes them smile. But sometimes it is that very familiarity that makes it so hard to decide on a gift.

I know that my husband doesn't wear ties any more and that he doesn't need another cashmere sweater or a bathrobe. I know how little time he has available to read books, and how much unused credit he already has on iTunes. He loves Godiva chocolates, but giving him yet another box of dark truffles seems to say that I've become too lazy to put any thought into the matter. He definitely doesn't want power tools, jewelry, or anything beer-related. If one of his favorite musical acts were coming to town, I could try to get tickets, but that's not always an option, and I'm not rich enough to fly him to Paris (either France or Texas) for the weekend.

My goal is to give him something he will truly enjoy and that will let him know that I put some loving thought and effort into it. The neon sign pictured here was all of that. During the summer, we sometimes hold big backyard barbecue parties. When the umbrellas are set up, the burgers are on the grill, and friends are splashing in the pool, we feel as though we are living in a luxury resort. My husband is a charming host, and we began to refer to our summer get-togethers as "Club Steve". Of course, a real club needs a sign. So for his birthday one year, I had this neon sign made. When Steve saw it, he was completely surprised and quite delighted. Now, whenever we have a party, the sign is always glowing in a prominent position, where our friends get a big kick out of it. Having this made was a bit expensive, but it was well worth it. Not only did it put a big smile on my husband's face when I gave it to him, but it has continued to be a source of pleasure for him (and for me) over the years.

This was a big, expensive gift. But a gift doesn't have to be big or expensive to be effective. What matters most is that it communicates a personal message: "You are special to me."