Best Christmas Present?

[Ben63]

So what was the best present you got this morning?

I'd have to say mine was tickets to see the Blue Devils play Boston College, in Boston. Any one else going to this game?

[Highlander]

HTC Touch Pro.

Battery life leaves a little to be desired, but it has gadgets galore.

[DukePA]

My guy got me 2 Duke flags with the traditional old English style lettering (which matches the front plate) for my Mini Cooper. My boss and his wife got me the Duke-opoly board game. So, so cool!

[devildeac]

Happy Days dvds, shaving kit, books, CDs, 750 ml Schlafly's specialty beers, digital picture frame. They are all nice/special. I have a wonderful family:D.

[III]

Kindle. (http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-com-kindle/dp/B000FI73MA)
So. Excited.

[CameronBornAndBred]

I got a massage mat for my chair/car, which is pretty nice. Also got a Duke fans parking only sign. I think mine will make the 4th or 5th on my street, lotta Duke love in this neighborhood.

[ForeverBlowingBubbles]

Got my Mom and Dad a Wii... I got a pretty sweet kyak

[DukeUsul]

Glenmorangie Lasanta (http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-7067.aspx) is one.

A 2qt LeCreuset dutch oven that matches our current 5qt one is another.

The new World of Warcraft expansion pack would be a third.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

The looks on my daughter's and son in law's faces when the saw the TV I got them! That was my best present.

I couldn't think of any way to work pastrami into this post other than this brief mention :D

[TillyGalore]

The looks on my daughter's and son in law's faces when the saw the TV I got them! That was my best present.

I couldn't think of any way to work pastrami into this post other than this brief mention :D

Awesome work Ozzie. Those are my favorite kinds of presents, the looks on faces when the receiver opens the special something you bought or made.

With my father being in the military and overseas for so many years, getting to spend Christmas with my parents is the greatest gift for me. Yeah, yeah, I know, schmaltzy, but it's true.

[devildeac]

The looks on my daughter's and son in law's faces when the saw the TV I got them! That was my best present.

I couldn't think of any way to work pastrami into this post other than this brief mention :D

Main board. OTB. Multiple threads. You have certainly gotten your money's worth out of those sammiches. Hilarious.:o;)

[Lavabe]

I couldn't think of any way to work pastrami into this post other than this brief mention :D

I'm dreaming of some hot pastrami...:D

[CathyCA]

Seeing my son step off the plane on Sunday night at RDU. I am one happy mama to have him with me during his Christmas break.

As far as "stuff" goes, I got a cool looking Duke universal remote.

[devildeac]

Couple late additions:

Duke Christmas tree ornament.
Duke/Cameron Crazies picture frame.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

Some gifts opened today, more tomorrow when extended family gathers in Raleigh. One favorite is a lovely, vibrant purple scarf/shawl with metallic glints in the yarn..... I'm ready for Mardi Gras! Also got a cookbook from one of my favorite restaurants.

As for favorites among gifts I'm giving, probably the CD of the complete Messiah arranged as it was for the first performance in 1751. Among gifts for the little children, it has to be the stick horse complete with sounds of hooves clomping, a gift for a 4 yo great nephew.

[dukemomLA]

#1 great present was watching my 6-month old granddaughter (Duke class of 2030) open her presents and crinkle the wrapping paper.

#2 -- and equally important, was that I got NOTHING!!! Last year I had asked my family and close friends to buy me Nada -- for birthdays, Mother's Day, whatever, and to pool that $$ to finance two excursions that I want to take.

1) to Alaska (my last state of the 50) and the chance to hike around Denali and to salmon fish

2) a trip to Antarctica -- my last continent.

I'm thrilled and amazed that all took me at my word. What a wonderful present! Blessings and Holidays Greetings to all.

[Indoor66]

1) to Alaska (my last state of the 50) and the chance to hike around Denali and to salmon fish

I'm with you on this one. Alaska is my 50th state to visit and I am scheduled for June of '09!

[devildeac]

I'm with you on this one. Alaska is my 50th state to visit and I am scheduled for June of '09!

Don't forget the Alaskan Smoked Porter;).

[devil84]

My best gift is a trip to San Antonio for my family and me to watch my son perform as a member of the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band (he's a snare drummer).

Next best gift: watching my 19yo daughter serve the desserts that she made for the family Christmas dinner -- her first as an "adult" who was responsible for contributing to the family meal (her cousin, age 24, was also a first time "adult"). My daughter's contribution: a homemade chocolate mint ice cream pie and a pear gallette. Yum!

[OZZIE4DUKE]

My daughter's contribution: a homemade chocolate mint ice cream pie

Let me know if you have any leftover that makes it back to NC! I love that stuff!

[CameronBornAndBred]

Let me know if you have any leftover that makes it back to NC! I love that stuff!
Better pack some dry ice. The pie sure does sound delicious, I foresee a recipe thread addition. The pear gallette has me interested...what is a gallette?

[DukeUsul]

Better pack some dry ice. The pie sure does sound delicious, I foresee a recipe thread addition. The pear gallette has me interested...what is a gallette?

It's kind of an open-top pie thingy. Pastry dough on the bottom with a bunch of pears on top and the edges folder over.

[allenmurray]

Playing Rock Band with my 9 year old. Hearing him sing the worst version ever of Gimmie Shelter, while I completely butchered it on the guitar, as we both cracked up laughing.

[devil84]

CB&B, here's the Pear Galette recipe: http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/pear-galette/. There's a picture there, too, to see what one looks like. (I'll cross-on the recipe thread, too, just for completeness!)

Sorry, Ozzie, there's none of the chocolate mint ice cream pie left, or the galette, either! Both were delicious. But you can get the recipe in the latest Taste of Home magazine (with the snowflake and entirely-too-light-blue poinsettia flower cupcakes on the cover). Since it's a current magazine, it wouldn't be right to post the recipe.

And I haven't left for San Antonio yet -- Ozzie, you'll be very disappointed to know that the ice cream pie was served in Durham at my brother's. Maybe she can make it for a tailgate next year (I plan on getting to some next year!).

The bowl game is 1/3, and televised on NBC. My son leaves on the 30th, and the rest of us on the 31st. We'll be back on the 5th. We'll miss TWO games in Cameron, but it will be SOOOOO worth it!

[CameronBornAndBred]

CB&B, here's the Pear Galette recipe: http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/pear-galette/. There's a picture there, too, to see what one looks like. (I'll cross-on the recipe thread, too, just for completeness!)
We'll miss TWO games in Cameron, but it will be SOOOOO worth it!
Mmmmm, that recipe looks enticing, a pie without a pie pan. Thanks for the update. Also, I'm sure you will, but make sure your tickets have a good home and make a wonderful Christmas / New Years to a true Duke fan!

[devil84]

Of course the tickets will have a good home to die hard Duke Blue Devils!

That galette is so easy and delicious -- it's a must-try!

[OZZIE4DUKE]

Sorry, Ozzie, there's none of the chocolate mint ice cream pie left,

And I haven't left for San Antonio yet -- Ozzie, you'll be very disappointed to know that the ice cream pie was served in Durham at my brother's. Maybe she can make it for a tailgate next year (I plan on getting to some next year!).

I was going to suggest it for a Brunchgate next year :)

Next question: did your brother or your sister-in-law make the pie? Or is that one and the same person?:eek:

Have great and safe travels!

[devildeac]

I was going to suggest it for a Brunchgate next year :)

Next question: did your brother or your sister-in-law make the pie? Or is that one and the same person?:eek:

Have great and safe travels!

No pastrami reference? What's this world coming to?:rolleyes:

[devil84]

Next question: did your brother or your sister-in-law make the pie? Or is that one and the same person?:eek:

Daughter (the referenced "she" in the one sentence) was the one that made the pie -- we brought it to brother's house in Durham (the referenced "he"). Sister-in-law (wife of brother, definitely not the same person as the brother!) was the one that appointed the 19yo daughter as an "adult" required to bring a dish to dinner.

There was, however, a total lack of pastrami at the Christmas dinner. :D

[OZZIE4DUKE]

Daughter (the referenced "she" in the one sentence) was the one that made the pie -- we brought it to brother's house in Durham (the referenced "he"). Sister-in-law (wife of brother, definitely not the same person as the brother!) was the one that appointed the 19yo daughter as an "adult" required to bring a dish to dinner.

There was, however, a total lack of pastrami at the Christmas dinner. :D

Thanks for making things perfectly clear!

[knights68]

I agree with other posters on this thread. My greatest gift this Christmas was more of an intangible one. The look on my older brothers face when I gave him an MP3 player (his very first one.... and I got a great deal on it as things are very tight for me at the moment).
Not only the look on his face when I gave it to 'em, but his fascination with it and the fun he is having loading it up with his music and taking it on his long bike rides. Yep, this one will pay off for me for some time!!

[DukePA]

For those who didn't see the "Jack Remembered" thread, the best moment for me came when I gave my parents a beautiful painting of their black lab, Jack. They sadly had to let Jack go the day before Thanksgiving after he ingested some of my Dad's medication. CameronBornandBred was kind enough to paint Jack, so check out the thread to see how stunning the work is. It was the last gift handed out on Christmas and as I knew we would, we cried. The gift is meaningful beyond words.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

For those who didn't see the "Jack Remembered" thread, the best moment for me came when I gave my parents a beautiful painting of their black lab, Jack. They sadly had to let Jack go the day before Thanksgiving after he ingested some of my Dad's medication. CameronBornandBred was kind enough to paint Jack, so check out the thread to see how stunning the work is. It was the last gift handed out on Christmas and as I knew we would, we cried. The gift is meaningful beyond words.

Your folks and I talked about the picture at the Women's game today. They are truly touched by CB&B's generosity and talent.

[-bdbd]

It's not a "present," per se, but a memory that'll certainly be retold.... After staying up past 2AM putting together presents, stuffing stockings and eating some cookies and milk left out by the fireplace..... (and writing a response note for a guy up North)... I got to be awakened at 6:30AM by two little girls excited and anxious to start opening their gifts from Santa. Arrgh! One of those funny stories you repeat for years!

Yep, I too got some standard Duke stuff - ornament and shirts. But the most fun has been the Wii game we got for the kids -- yes dad and mom have been playing it too!

-BDBD :D

[DukieInKansas]

Time spent with family and friends was the best gift. We went light on the gifts this year because no one really needs anything that they can't get for themselves. My nephews and niece got Guitar Hero World Tour Rock Band for Wii (or whatever the official name is) and we have been having fun playing with it, even though the adults need lots of practice.

[Johnboy]

Best purchased gift I received: new set of golf clubs. I don't play that much, but having new clubs may inspire me to play more and will improve my game.

Best handmade gift: my sister got an old window, painted it and put pictures of each of our families in the panes.

Best moment: Sitting with my wife on our front porch watching our sons play with the new basketball goal. While that was the best single moment this year, I always cherish being able to spend holiday time with my (extended) family and my wife's family every year, and this year is no exception (but I missed my brother, who didn't make it to my parents' while we were there this year).

[CameronBornAndBred]

Best purchased gift I received: new set of golf clubs. I don't play that much, but having new clubs may inspire me to play more and will improve my game.

Or at least you will look better playing badly.:eek:

[Johnboy]

Or at least you will look better playing badly.:eek:

This is the most likely outcome, no doubt.

[BlueDevilBaby]

Best tangible gift? A sapphire necklace my parents bought during their trip to Asia.

Best intangible gifts? Getting my dogs back after a month following yet another shoulder surgery. Having my best friend/roommate from college spend Christmas with my family and me and then our going up to NY to see our two other best friends from college. It had been 10+ years since I'd seen one of them and had never met either's children. I also got to spend a little time with my neice and nephew, always a blessing as I only get to see them a couple times a year.

Best self-given gifts (bonus purchase)? New flat screen for my bedroom and Ipod.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

[Turk]

Here's a good present. This happened to a friend of mine this past week.

He was on his way back home from the holidays in New York state, and got involved in a serious car accident. The family minivan spun out on black ice and eventually ran into the median and flipped a number of times. The great news is that nobody in the van, parents, three kids, and dog, sustained a major injury. The trip home was momentarily put on hold and they settled in at a local motel. At the end of the surprise family visit to the motel my buddy went to settle his bill. The manager presented him with a blank piece of paper with nothing but the words "PAY IT FORWARD" written on it.

Just hearing that my friend and his family are unharmed and the generousity of the manager is the best present I could have received.

[CathyCA]

I got a very special gift today. My Mom presented to each of my brothers and me a personal item from my Dad's estate.

My gift was Dad's Duke ring.

[devildeac]

This has been a GREAT thread. Some with gifts worth lots of $$ and some that are simply priceless.