Stuff I Like

Dear Beloved Well-Wishers and Gift-Givers:

The Christmas season with all its trappings is in full swing. Cultural and family tradition dictates the giving and reception of gifts. We try to give things that will be enjoyed and hope to receive things that indicate both the taste of the giver and the acknowledgment of the receiver's preferences. This is also how it works for birthday celebrations and various other holiday gift-sharing occasions. Now I like presents. It really pleases me to choose and wrap them for my loved ones, and I greatly enjoy the things that others bestow upon my humble person.

Well, in a recent conversation about these kinds of things, I was told that I'm "hard to buy for." I have heard this phrase before and I think it's an odd thing to say about someone (not to mention having someone specifically say it about me!). If that's the case, I have a simple solution: don't buy anything for me.

Seriously. Want to give me a present that doesn't involve an actual purchase of a prepackaged commodity? Cool! Make me a card, write me a poem, sing me a song! Donate to a charity in honor of...whee!...me. Cook me a special dinner. Play a board game with me. Volunteer to wash my dishes!

Or if you're a crafty person to begin with, make me something: a necklace or an ankle bracelet, a little painting, a ceramic dish, a pretty wooden box (I'm all over unique boxes--you can find them all over the cabin--I like to open them and close them and open them and close them...). I also have a thing for handmade hats and scarves and...things. For example, my sister makes these great little crocheted cat toys shaped like fishies with a little catnip tucked inside--I like those too. Or rather, I like to watch my kitty stalk them and pounce upon them and play with them. My husband's younger sister makes very pretty beaded jewelry for me. Things like that.

On the other hand, one could decide that I'm not "hard to buy for," but rather that my tastes for commercial wares are difficult to identify because--well, yeah, I know--I don't talk much to begin with, nor do I ordinarily buy very much even when I go shopping with someone (as my mother could tell you). So I realize that, yes, it is kinda hard to pick up on the things that I like just by hanging out with me, even for my family members. Especially for my family members. Oh yes, and I am vegan. To be precise, I am the family vegan and it's a new state of being for me and everyone and I realize that it can be tough to get a handle on the "no animal products" thing. Heck, it's hard for me too!

To make things easier on everyone who likes to buy stuff for me on special occasions, here's the scoop--helpfully categorized and accompanied by many hyperlinks for easy online navigation (although a patient and persistent soul can also find many of these goodies in local shops and stores). Right off, y'all need to know that this isn't a plea for presents. I'm quite the typical American in that I have more stuff than I know what to do with. No, no, this is my long-term wish list to demonstrate the kind of stuff that I most enjoy sharing my living space with (or dinner plate space in the case of yummy edibles). Consider this a guide--a summary of Lira-likings for present and future reference. And just plain thank you for thinking of me!

Here we go.

Classic Amazon...

Books, Movies, Music, and a Few Other Random Things

Think Geek!

Techie Geeky Toys, Tools, and Garb

Smelly Things...

Any of The Goth Rosary's "Uncommon Scents for Uncommon People" fragrance products (including incense, and scrubs) in any of the following luscious fragrances: Graveyard, Fairy Wings, Nocturnal, Shadows, Samhain, Dervish, Can't Wait Demeter, Wicked, Tea & Sympathy, Gothic Rose, Vanilla Hell, Seasons Greedings, Vexing, and Black Wings. A Goth Rosary gift certificates might be simpler, huh?

Any kind of "Imp's Ears" from Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab.

Incense. Matches, cones or resins. I sometimes burn incense sticks (the long twiggy-looking things), but I'm not as fond of them as I am of the cones and resins. Incense matches are just plain fun. Any fragrance is welcome because there are just so many out there! Online places to get good incense:

• Anna's Incense
• Mt. Sinai Orthodox Church Products (their sample pack lasts me forever)
• Cenacle (UK seller)
• Mountain Rose Herbs
  

Tycoon and City Building Computer Games...

I enjoy Sims and the various tycoon games and city-builders. I currently own: The Sims Deluxe Edition, The Sims 2 Double Deluxe, The Sims 2 Open for Business Expansion, Majesty Gold & the Northern Expansion, Majesty 2, Caesar IV, Zoo Tycoon Complete Collection, and Mall Tycoon I and II. I'd particularly love to enjoy: Pharaoh & Cleopatra, Zeus: Master of Olympus & Zeus Expansion: Poseidon, and Emperor: Rise of the Middle Kingdom.

Special Yummy Edibles...

Always, always, always: pomegranates and pomegranate juice (unsweetened by itself or mixed with other fruit juices). Pomegranate wine is fun too. And I also love all kinds of berries.

Vegan and/or Dark Chocolates--no carob, please (blech). Please check the ingredients for milk anything. Fine online suppliers (of many more exciting wonders than mere chocolate, by the way): Vegan Essentials (go to the Food and Sweets category -> Chocolates), Equal Exchange, and Food Fight.

Any of the Alternative Baking Company's exquisite cookies!

Sensuous Wearables...

Victoria's Secret gift cards will always be well-received. Due to our in-the-sticks locale, I usually order things online, so egift cards are just as helpful as the more tangible variety.

Kambriel gift certificates are also welcomed. Kambriel garb is elegant and luxurious, designed for those special occasions that Ecaep and I occasionally, but enthusiastically, attend.

Second-hand shops are places where I conduct most of my search for everyday garments. Idaho Youth Ranch usually has something comfortable in one of my favorite colors (black, red, and white). Good Will is another place I can get fun things. Gift certificates and coupons from either of these places would definitely come in handy.

There you are. Friendly warning: if you ask me what I want for Christmas, or whatever, I'm going to direct you to click on the wishlist link (the cute little blog sticker in my sidebar under "links" with the blinkie star that reads "wishlist") in this blog. And when all else fails, please just give me a hug. I really do like those a lot.

Love,

Lira

[updated 10/2010]