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12/27/2007: The Christmas Fallout Thread: 2007 Edition!

Whew. Well, I have a newfound respect for all of the people in my family who’ve hosted Christmas (and other) holiday dinners through the years, because we just could not believe how much work that was. Even considering the fact that the woman’s family is less than half the size of my own, that was one brutal, hellacious exercise in holidayosity.

Among other things, I’ve learned that ovens are not miracle devices, and no matter how much I tried to treat them as such, they just couldn’t seem to warm everything the way we needed them to. Everyone brought a dish that needed to be heated up, and it was an impossible balancing act to get Dish #455 served before Dishes #1 - #454 became ice cold again. I think I kept my cool for the most part, save for one regrettable incident where I yelled “who gives a fuck about these kids’ fucking chicken tenders we got a fucking thirty-dollar turkey here” loud enough for everyone in the dining room to hear — including the poor guy who brought said chicken tenders.

Overall, Christmas went well, but I think my stint as a domestic must be considered as a shoe that doesn’t fit. Next year, I’ll be happy to let someone else take the responsibility, and relish in the fact that I won’t have to spend the week before Christmas using masking tape to lift cat hair off of every piece of furniture in our apartment.

We had my family’s Christmas Eve party the night before, at my sister’s house. Early in the evening, I was charged with making eggnog for five or six people. As I was pouring the rum in, I had a sneaking suspicion that I had added at least eight times the appropriate amount to each cup. They confirmed this, but in an effort to prove them wrong, I forced myself to gulp my cup down despite the fact that its contents smelled more like witch hazel than milky vanilla. That was my downfall. I didn’t wake up until after midnight, when I realized that I’d been decorated in Christmas lights (which were lit) and had various phrases written on my face and arms in lipstick.

The season really just flew by this year, and we’ve been too exhausted for the past two days to do more than crawl by the tree every couple of hours and paw at our presents before passing out again. That’s one good thing about hosting a party. Usually, by now, I’m steeped in that post-holiday faux-depression, where Christmas decorations make me feel icky and holiday-themed commercials make me curse and kick things. This year, it’s all been such a whirlwind that I’m looking forward to reintroducing myself to the couch and relaxing under tree light until the dying branches go on fire.

I’ve still got one Advent Calendar entry left to do, which I’ll get to in a bit. I think I want to go a little longer on it than originally planned, since it’s the last time we’ll be hearing from some of those characters for a whole year. Meanwhile, it’s time to continue that very special X-E tradition: The Christmas Fallout thread.

If you’ve been reading the site for a while, you know how this works. It’s time to brag about your loot! In the comments, share lists and stories chronicling all of the presents you’ve received, and take solace in the fact that there’s a very good chance that your comments will still be here a decade from now. I love going back to the old Fallout threads to see how past Christmases stacked up, and to see how my own personal tastes have changed through the years. After all, this is our fifth Christmas Fallout thingy. I’m pretty much the same guy, but I don’t think I’d gun for the same stuff today that I did back in 2003. Since a lot of the people who drew up their lists in previous years are still around today, feel free to review your old comments in the archived Fallout threads:

The 2003 Edition! The 2004 Edition! The 2005 Edition! The 2006 Edition!
In terms of gifts, 2007 was an awesome year for yours truly. Probably the best ever. If some kind of nuclear war forced society to remain indoors for the next seven months, I am well prepared with an endless bevy of books, movies, toys, games, and at least six different types of martini olives. Off we go!

Super Mario Galaxy: For the Wii and for me. I only put it on my list to fulfill my self-imposed quota of needing to receive at least one video game for Christmas, but holy crap…it’s great. I almost don’t mind the fact that I’m still dizzy from playing it hours ago.

“Hunted” Star Wars Novel: Surprisingly, there are very few Star Wars novels that feature Jabba as a primary character. This is one of them, and that’s why I wanted it. It’s really meant for younger readers, but as you’re going to see Pikachu dolls and G.I. Joe figures later in this list, I can’t say that I feel too ashamed.

Alien Quadrilogy DVD Box Set: Every Alien movie! Nine discs total! Owning this makes me pray that I’ll catch the flu, because I’d love nothing better than a clear excuse to spend two days watching every minute of these discs.

Alien Facehugger Plush Replica: I wish I wasn’t so tired right now, because an item of this magnitude really calls for a genius, catalog-level description. I think I’ll settle on caps lock to convey my joy: YES YES YES.

Aliens Vs. Predator Omnibus, Volume 1: I’ve heard great things about the AvP (or just A and P, respectively) comics, and thought it was time to see what all the fuss was about. The book looks great: It’s got like 50,000 pages, but they’re really small and comfortably manageable pages. If reading books during car trips didn’t make me sick, I’d totally save this for my next long one.

Friday the 13th, Volume 1: Jason gives the term “graphic novel” a more figurative spin in this re-imagining of his origin story, which actually reads more like an idea for a big screen prequel put in comic book form. I read the thing the second I got it. Part of me felt that the authors/artists really didn’t take advantage of the fact that they could’ve done anything with Jason in this medium, but on the other hand, it honestly does feel like something that could be easily translated as a perfectly fine F13 flick.

Dirty Martini Mega Basket: My girlfriend surprised me with this amazing basket full of everything a dirty martini lover could need, from the vodka (Tito’s FTW) to the briney fun juice, along with every possible kind of olive, from pimento-stuffed to jalepeno-stuffed to blue cheese-stuffed. I even got a jar of caper berries and cocktail olives in case I feel like mixing things up. Totally great gift; I wonder if I’ll have any of this stuff left by January.

Transformers Monopoly: I haven’t opened this baby yet, but I’m going to be really disappointed if there isn’t a “Starscream Wins Beauty Contest - Collect $10″ Community Chest card.

Christmas Story Monopoly: Even cooler! Toss aside the stupid car and make Ralphie in his bunny suit as your chosen pewter avatar! Skip the tired “Boardwalk” and invest in such historically significant locations as “Leg Lamp!” My one regret is that I received this on Christmas and can’t lump it in with the site’s holiday coverage. Guess I’ll save it for next year.

Cigar Humidor: Though I rarely smoke cigars, I still love the idea of smoking cigars. Problem is, it’s impossible to keep a good stock of cigars in the house unless I’m planning to smoke them constantly until they’re gone. Cigars are very temperamental and will not survive for long without the proper environment. So, the woman made me a humidor out of a fancy, magnetically sealed cigar box, and all of the other little parts that make humidors…uh, humidate…or…whatever they do.

Super Cigar Sampler Pack: …because you can’t have a humidor without something for that humidor to humidate. Among other fancy cigars, the box includes a good amount of Montecristos, which I absolutely love both for their taste and because their name sounds like a cross between a Vegas luxury resort and a brand of cooking oil.

The Golden Girls: The Complete Fifth Season DVD Set: Shhh.

The Simpsons: The Complete First Season DVD Set: Christmas seemed like a good time to start a Simpsons DVD collection. Wouldn’t call myself one of those maniacally diehard Simpsons nuts, but as far as shows that will suffice when you’re simultaneously in the mood to watch something and nothing, few are better. Plus, it’s the first season, meaning I’ll get to giggle whenever someone’s skin color looks weird.

Gizmo Santa Plush: Gizmo Santa is far too poignant a symbol of humankind’s evolution into a master species to toss in a storage box with a bunch of lights and Rudolph figures. He is staying out all year.

The Linus Blanket: A big sheet of baby blue softness that perfectly reflects Linus’s trademark security blanket, I now have a new cape to wear when I stumble out of the bedroom on Sunday mornings with visions of coffee demands dancing in my head.

Marvel Ultimate Galactus Trilogy: I was growing tired of having to educate myself on the “Ultimate” Marvel Universe by way of Wikipedia, so this will come in handy. I love Galactus. Even when it’s that weird version of Galactus with all the hyphens in his name.

McDonald’s: Behind The Arches: It’s a book that tells the tale of cheeseburgers and Chicken McNuggets, and judging by the its length, those two things must have a really amazing story. Few big businesses have a story as interesting as McDonald’s, and I’m looking forward to reading about how Ray Kroc avoided a career as a pay-per-appearance alligator wrestler to spearhead one of the biggest corporations ever.

The Best of Pokemon Adventures: Yellow: I’ve been hearing about how great these Pokemon comics are for years, and I’m so excited to finally have some of ‘em. Though meant for younger readers, I understand that they’re heavier on actual story than the cartoons were, and that’s what I’m looking for. I don’t want Pikachu to make me laugh. I want him to make me think.

The Best of Pokemon Adventures: Red: Yay! More!

Around The World In 450 Recipes: I’m confident that this is the largest, heaviest book ever published. If I dropped this book from a ten story window, the force and velocity that it would gain on the way down would clearly allow it to crash through the pavement, through our planet’s blazing core and out the other side, where some foreign entrepreneur will surely try to translate its many chicken satay recipes into the native language of his home people.

The Big Bug Book: Because I’m a big bug fan, see.

Panasonic Mini-DV Camcorder:

And a few more: 8O 8O 8O 8O

I mean holy shit. THAT is a gift. THAT is proof that Santa exists.

The Dick Tracy Show: The Complete Series DVD Box Set: When that Dick Tracy movie debuted in 1990, Fox took advantage of our renewed interest in the yellow-clad detective by running his ancient cartoon every weekday afternoon. I loved that show, and I will love this set.

Amazing Stories: The Complete First Season DVD Box Set: Ahhhhhhhh yesssssss. Granted, the best episodes of the series didn’t occur until the second season, but there’s still plenty to love here. Hell, I would’ve paid whatever they were charging just to be able to see those killer opening credits anytime I wanted.

Star Wars: The Complete Pop-Up Guide To The Galaxy: I’m probably going to review this separately later, so I won’t say too much…other than the fact that it’s the most insanely well-developed pop-up book that I’ve ever seen. If you’re into Star Wars, you have to get this. Three-dimensional Rancor spreads!

Electric Cocktail Mixer: Why shake and stir when you can just hit a button that does it all for you, whirlpool-style?

Electric Shaver: I needed a new one because mine didn’t allow for that special brand of “meticulous stubble” that I so often go for. This one does, and it’s got an internal vacuum to boot!

Clothes: I got clothes.

More Clothes: I got more clothes. Gloves, too!

Slippers: I believe this is the first pair of slippers I’ve ever owned. Now I have the proper equipment with which to go outside and tell the neighbor kids to get off my lawn.

Topple Game: I can’t believe that Pressman still makes Topple! The game is a bit like Jenga, only more colorful, and since the pieces are lighter, the ultimate game-ending crash is a louder, more widely spread sight to see.

Insanely Cool Diesel Watch: I love it. It’s the kind of watch that looks like it must have some kind of weirdo special feature. Everyone will think that I’m in contact with the government’s secret headquarters. I will have the wrist of a champion.

Sitcoms: The 101 Greatest TV Comedies Of All Time: I haven’t flipped through it yet, but Get A Life better be on their list.

101 Things You Should Know How To Do: I haven’t flipped through it yet, but how to tie one’s shoes better be on their list. Seriously, I don’t know how.

Reindeer Food Candy: R D R R

Madballs: Screamin’ Meemie: Will save the full review for a separate entry, but suffice to say, Madballs are back. Though they’re being sold at many of the major toy outlets, it’s pretty clear that the revamped line is meant for older folks who fondly remember the originals. They’ll probably die a quick death, but certainly not by my hand/wallet.

G.I. Joe: Serpentor Figure: I’m really glad to see that Hasbro added Serpentor to their short list of revitalized reissues. Despite being the most ridiculous character in G.I. Joe history, I’ve always held him in high regard. I guess there’s just something about a guy who can throw coma-inducing snakes at his opponents that just resonates with me.

Bonsai Tree: I’ve always wanted one. Now I just need the tiny Buddha statue.

Transformers: Soundwave Commemorative Edition: I’ve steered clear the “classic” Transformers revamps mainly because you can buy the originals at competitive prices, but Soundwave gets a pass. Tied with Cyclonus as my favorite Decepticon ever, Soundwave comes with Ravage and Lazerbeak, and I have absolutely no intention of leaving this trio of greatness to sit without purpose in a box. Soon, they will come out to play.

National Geographic Dinosaurs Book: Yes! A new dinosaur book! One that I haven’t explored from cover to cover ten thousand times!

Journey To The Ants: It’s the story of ants, see. How ants do what they do, and why they do it. I’m almost daunted by the amount of great books that I’ve received this Christmas. Where do I start reading? Pokemon? Dinosaurs? Ants? I need coins to flip!

THE OCTOPUS LAMP: Remember this thing? I wrote about it last summer, and have lived with unbelievable regret that I didn’t buy it ever since. My sister, who was there when I made that grave error, returned to the very same store and grabbed one for me before the place closed down for the winter season. This particular sister has now joined the short list of family members that I’d donate a kidney for. Illumination by octopus! There are no nine syllables finer!

UPDATE #1: Gonna try to knock out a few more before dinner with the fam…

Congo DVD: One of the best bad movies ever made, starring Tim Curry, Winston, Amy Monkey, Bruce Campbell and a horde of CG gray gorillas. Fuck yeah.

Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie DVD: If you’re a Street Fighter fan and have never seen this, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR, MAN.

Scrooged DVD: Somehow, I only had this on VHS, and we were getting pretty tired of the extra hassle involved with watching the scene where the bums implore Bill Murray to do Shakespeare over and over again.

Slusho T-Shirt: I don’t want to say much about this shirt’s significance since I plan to do a separate blog entry on it, but…YES. It’s the Cloverfield “Slusho” shirt, sent in an odd package with viral marketing paperwork and all sorts of goodness. I hate logos of any kind of my clothing, but for Slusho, exceptions will be made.

Giant Pikachu Doll: …which I specifically asked for, because its size and shape make for an absolutely perfect substitute for the standard pillow. Why sleep on a boring pillow when you can rest your head on an exciting Pikachu?

The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Deluxe Edition: Two different volumes! I grew up obsessing over these handbooks, which serve as a sort of encyclopedia of every notable character in the Marvel Universe, along with certain weapons, locations and vehicles. These books are how I’ve maintained a pretty impressive wealth of comic book knowledge without actually reading many of them. These newer books are mainly reissues of the much older versions, sacrificing color artwork for the sake of getting many more entries in each particular volume.

Still more to come! I’ll be back later!

Still got a bunch of stuff to add, but let’s get the party started. I’ll be back in a bit with the wrap-up. (And to fix the many typos that are surely above!) Looking forward to reading your lists!

- Futurama Season 2
- Hairspray (the musical, not the hair product)
- How I Met Your Mother Season 1
- A new DVD shelf
- TMNT action figure
- Barbie doll (long story)

Not the most spectacular haul in existence, but it was everything I asked for or wanted.

My fiance got me some old books that I once had as a kid (extreme sentimental value for the win). He also got me a VHS copy of The Lion King, and The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh. He also gave me a cute black jacket. And I got 50 bucks from his grandfather. My sister gave me some makeup. And…that’s pretty much it.

I went to visit my step-mom’s family for Christmas, so I haven’t gotten any presents from my family yet. I did get quite a few gift certificates to neat stores from my second grade class (I’m a TA) and a wide variety of tacky decorations as well. I still have an entire day devoted to eating and present opening to look forward to. I suddenly feel like my oldest sister who always horded Halloween candy until nobody else had any left and then took it out and ate it in front of me and my other sisters. I still have presents left to get…do you?

Matt, I am so insanely jealous because of that facehugger, as everytime I’ve had the money to get one, something always crops up that demands almost exactly the same amount. A facehugger and a headcrab bobble hat, I’d be in heaven.

What I asked Santa for: Giant War Peace-Keeping Robot, Licence to Kill, Diplomatic Immunity, Secret Hideout/Strong, Suitcase of Money, Genetically Engineered Army of Squirrel-Scorpion Hybrids.

What the family gave me: An MP4 Player (which, doesn’t seem to have MP4s as a file type it plays?), A Sudoku Cube, Black Wool Scarf and Gloves, Black Lambswool Turtle Neck Sweater (I’m from the West Country where there is nothing better on a cold winters day that plunging yourself deep in to a bit of young fleece), Socks (Ribbed for my pleasure!), For Your Eyes Only DVD, remastered version (The closest I come this year to my Licence To Kill), pens and a notebook (We’ll see how long before it mysteriously vanishes!), Cadbury’s Creme Egg (A trace of the Easter Bunnies attempts to seize Christmas?), Ferrero Rocher (The closest I come to Diplomatic Immunity, is reciting “The Ambassador’s receptions are noted in society for their host’s exquisite taste that captivates his guests” and “Monsieur, with these Rocher, you’re really spoiling us”), a bag of Midget Gums, Lindt Fruit and Nut bar, Lynx Shower Gels and Deodorants and a 5cl bottle of Smirnoff Norsk

I mean, I tried making amends for all my wrongdoings in the past few years attempting to get that stuff, what with me being a rather mercurial character and him being the seasonal embodiment of childhood imagination. I’ve attempted to con presents by creating a fictitious younger brother, discussing his voyeuristic habits of spying on young children, breaking and entering in to peoples houses, getting children excited about owning a pair of stockings for him to make a ‘deposit’, ‘fiddling with his sack’ in childrens presence, keeping animals stuffed in the confines of a sack, stealing childrens souls through a Faustian contract by use of Christmas lists, brainwashing adults, breaching copyrights on brand names and burning top end DVDs, suggesting he would publish Magical Elf Porn and sell reindeer meat, making reference to trying to get children to enter his ‘grotto’ or take a trip to ‘lap’-land.

A nice new HDTV w00t!!
A bunch of games, some socks, sweaters, and some treats!
A really good christmas actually.

-A baby pink MP3 player from my brother (unexpected but way cool just the same!)
-A nightgown with cartoon sheep that says ‘Falling to Sheep’
-A pair of puffy green slippers
-A wrap-around bracelet of wire and beeds
-2 sketchbooks
-tracing paper
-2 packs of professional drawing pencils
-A copy of some psycology book (something about human nature)

This year was a great Christmas as it was the first Christmas with Nicole being my wife but thatâ€™s not what this is about itâ€™s about presents so here we go.
I gotâ€¦a lot of alcohol to begin with. Lots of Sake and some assorted mini bottles of stuff we had never tired. A sake Set.
The complete Shirlock Holmes.
I got a 500 gb Hard Drive
Office Space Personal Flair starter kit
Limited edition collector set of Song Remains the Same DVD
David Bowie shirt and tie
Portable Air compressor
Venus Flytrap
Sea monkey zoo
Transformers DVD
Super Mario Galaxy
Assorted gift cards
Wallet
Chris Jericho Autobiography
AND Limited Edition Def Leppard Union Jack Electric Guitar!

Just for reference I got her:
Trauma Center: New Blood for Wii (she is a medical assistant)
Complete works of Poe
Complete Works of Shakespear
Dark side of the moon on Vinyl
I also got Amy Winehouse, the Ramones, and My Chemical Romance on vinyl for her. (I taped them together in a triangle and wrapped it that way. She spent the past week staring at the thing trying to figure it out.)
Grayâ€™s anatomy season 2
Also I took a idea from matt and got her the creature from the black lagoon mask ( one of her favorites)
a box of Trinidad chocolate AND
I found someone who put the long lost holiday classic: The life and adventures of Santa Clause on DVD (one of her favorites.) It arrived on Christmas eve.
All and all a great Christmas.

yay — my favorite thread of the year! i always stalk this thread like a madman b/c i love reading everyone’s hauls.

my haul: hippo chia pet, woodland creature figures and fuzzy magnets, cute underwater animals weekly planner, playmobile cleopatra, slippers, owl and pirate shirts, beautiful katamari for xbox 360

For a while I thought my parents gave shitty gifts. Until this year- not a FOOD GIFT BASKET IN SIGHT! woo!

A black-and-red tea kettle… seriously. I love tea and the old kettle is rusting out- not to mention several horrible design flaws- like A METAL HANDLE. wtf?
Artsy Shot Glasses- Cause we only have glass ones and it’s inevtiable that you will break some. These fancy ones- conical in shape with glass sphere bases in different colors- are perfect for shots of Pernod and Sambuca.
Emily Sweatshirt- I can always count on my older brother to know that Emily the Strange is my Muse. Red zipper hoodie with skull and kittie prints. Kinda emo, but whateva.
Skeleanimals scarf- Grey and black striped- not unlike Maat’s socks up there… but with a cute little skeleton kitty pattern and little red hearts! Squee!
Luggage- I hope someone’s not saying anything… two nesting rolling suitcases and a carry-on satchel that will fit all the necessary travelneeds!
Scooby-Doo Chia Pet: A little late to the Chia party-but hey… My five and three year old nieces picked it out. HOW DID THEY KNOW?!
Misfits Bar Stool: My family believes that anything with a Misfits Skull is the PERFECT GIFT for me. This makes the third item in as many years that my younger Brother has given me something Misfits themed for christmas.
Grandma’s silver: I said I got this in an earlier thread- an attempt by my grandma to rid her home of worldly goods before she shuffles off the mortal coil. A chafing dish and lid and a lotus-shaped dipping bowl.
Expensive wine from my boss- I know it’s expensive cause I’ve been to the winery. I can’t wait to drink some…
Starbucks Gift card for $25. I can now resume my Starbucks habit.. for a few trips, anyway.
Digital Photo Album Keychain: Now I can show my pets off to random strangers and REALLY be a crazy animal person.
Dethklok T-Shirt: I love these guys. Hee-lar-ee-us. Now i can add meh support and be an animation geek. woo!
Sewing Machine: I haven’t gotten it yet, but I have to pick it out- it’s MY big gift from my BF. yaay!

I got all four Home Alone movies.
The first two are AWESOME,
but three and four are not.

Dude, I heart that lamp. I heart it so much, I’m using the word “heart” instead of

“Two And A Half Men” Season 1 DVD set
“Family Guy” Volume 5 DVD set
“Slither” DVD
“Transformers” DVD
“Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer” DVD
hooded sweatshirt
Toronto Maple Leafs beer coasters
Toronto Maple Leafs 2008 calendar
Toronto Maple Leafs wood-framed poster
Toronto Maple Leafs socks
Toronto Maple ‘Laughs’ T-shirt
“Priceless” T-shirt
Air Wick automatic air freshener
portable George Foreman grill
Belgian waffle maker
Adidas cologne giftset
Navy cologne (3 bottles)
Loads of chocolate!

I got a coach bag ,cash,clothes,digital camera,portable dvd player,ds lite,wii,dvds,perfume, makeup ,and a pound puppy

nice haul matt!
this was a good year for me, the wife and i didnt put a limit on spending so I got
guitar hero 3
rock band
call of duty 4
a new baseball glove
clothes (yawn)
1 of those cool “20 questions” handheld games
superbad dvd

now if only my xbox 360 worked, i could play my games! Got it back from microsoft last night after being repaired……. IT STILL DOESNT WORK have to send it back. when the rep i got on the phone last night asked if there was anything else he could do, I told him “put a PS# or a WII in the box when you mail it back, that way I know i will get something that works”

AC/DC boxed set (2 CDs and a DVD)
Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd CD
Willow Special Edition on DVD
American Idol Dance Dance Challenge game
Scattergories
Skip-Bo card game
The Nightmare Before Christmas Party Game
Pirates of the Caribbean: The End of the World DVD
The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America’s First Superhero by William Kalush
Borders gift card from my future-father-in-law
Crock-Pot carry bag
Magic Bullet-style blending apparatus
folding collander
picture frame collage
jewelry cabinet that hangs on the wallwith picture collage slots on the front
a pink fleece scarf with silver rinestones
some pattern-making kit for my reenactment stuff that I haven’t quite figured out yet

My fiance gave me a beautiful engagement ring of small diamonds with a black Tahitian pearl in the middle and matching earrings and necklace! Finally! Big girl jewelry that doesn’t come from Wal-Mart! Yessssss!

We’ll be visiting his family in Missouri this weekend, so I’m up for a few more gifts there.

My major present is to myself… flying my boyfriend up from Arkansas for two weeks of holidaying (very very expensive to fly from one “middle of nowhere” to another)…and postponing Christmas for him, which I didn’t know was possible.

So my list of noteworthy presents is currently very short: 1. Matt’s enjoyment of face hugging aliens, and 2. large sums of my grandparent’s money.

Dude, I heart that lamp. I heart it so much, I’m using the word “heart” instead of that “Greater Than Three” symbol which apparently kills posts dead in their tracks.

-iPod 3rd Gen Nano (I asked for new headphones and got this. I’m not complaining about the trade off.)

-Ronco Rotisserie & BBQ Oven (Just set it and forget it! I’ve always wanted one of these suckers. I need to get me some game hens now.)

-Kone by DirtDevil (And the damned thing actually matches my decor. I’m actually happy to have received a vacuum for Christmas. Creepy.)

-His Dark Materials Omnibus by Phillip Pullman (I actually had these books once, and then I lent them to my neighbor’s kid and never saw them again.)

-Happy Bunny PJs (Apparently my mother isn’t fond of my usual boxer-shorts-and-hockey-jersey sleeping attire.)

-New Tea Pot (Apparently it’s an expensive one, and it’s pretty brushed stainless steel and won’t burn my hands.)

-Calphalon Chef’s Knife (Good weight to it, feels solid in my hand, and I get to sharpen it. I feel like I’m on Top Chef every time I use it.)

-BOOZE! My mom totally over-shopped at the liquor store for our holiday get together, so I was “gifted” with:
+A bottle of Canadian Club +A bottle of Bailey’s Irish Creme
+A bottle of Godiva Liquor
+A bottle of Ruby Red Absolute
+A bottle of Sweet and Sour Mix
+1 4-Pack each of Mudslides and White Russians

-Various gift cards from various stores, including a nice big ‘un from my attorneys. Proving that at least one day out of the year, not all lawyers are douchebags.

All in all, I can’t complain. It’s got almost all of my favorite things in the world — travel, drinking, music, food, and godlessness.

I got some decent stuff this year, but most of the really good stuff I had to buy myself. Got a ton of clothes, most of which is really cool. I actually look like I don’t live under the freeway now. A bunch of books. Anybody ever read Snow Crash? I’m trying it out. Never read a “cyberpunk” novel before, but so far I’m entertained. The usual assortment of gift cards. Some toys. No video games this year. My parents got me a webcam and a headset so that we can all call each other and look at each other. Which I will never use because, first off, not a big fan of the “talking” thing. Second, not a big fan of the “people looking at me” thing.

Last Friday my friends and I had a Christmas Sweater Gala, where we dressed up in Christmas sweaters and drank near fatal amounts of rum-based drinks. I even brought over a disgusting Hickory Farms platter. Unfortunately, all I had to eat that day was from the Hickory Farms platter. And all I drank was glass after glass of Rum soaked egg nog. Do I need to go into details about the next morning? I thought not. Fun, though.

-Digital Camera
-Bookshelves
-Carnivale season 2
-socks
-a Boise State basketball tee shirt

I had qutie a nice haul this year, but it was divided between my my parents (in november) and my boyfriens parents (on christmas)

I got:
A couple of great dresses
Several great pairs of shoes
Elevendy-billion purses
A Netflix supscription (probably the thing I wanted most this year)
Sin City on DVD
A bunch of great playmobils for my castle
The Wizard of Oz on DVD
lots of lovely jewelry from my mom
Lots of Hello Kitty themed items
A GPS for my car (HURRAY)
And last, but certainly not least,
A new iPod, that the Lord.

I probably got a bunch more things that I am forgetting about. It was a nice christmas. But looking at this list it looks like i hardly got anythig. Huh. Whatever. And not to sound like an ungreatful bitch, but I’m pretty dissapointed not to have recieved any gift cards or cash this year. I can’t ever remember this happening before. *Pout*

Hmmmm…what did I get for the holidays? It ended up being a pretty tight year. After buying presents for family and children, there wasn’t anything left for me & the S.O. to give each other presents. Really it seems strange when I think about it that I haven’t opened a single gift this holiday season so far. Oh well here’s to hoping that 2008 will be different… a selfishly, gift-filled year!

Happy New Year everyone!!!!

As for me, it was a great haul this year. I got everything I wanted and then some, and way way more than I hoped to get.

-TV on DVD (Fraggle Rock S2 and S3, Numb3rs S3, Happy Days S3- including my favorite episode, “Richie Fights Back!”)
-Other DVDs (2 of the 3 2007 Disney Treasures, Fern Gully, a couple of other movies.)
-Books (Including the Art of Ratatouille and Redwall the graphic novel.)
-Time Life’s Malt Shop Memories set (!)
-A couple of new Precious Moments figurines
-Little Mermaid stuff (Pillow, blanket, towels, etc.)
-Nutcrackers (Different ones for my collection- a penguin, a reindeer, a gnome, and two different types of crystal ones.)
-Penguin stuff
-A couple of new cool bags
-Gift cards (Borders and Target, my two favorite places!)
-Portable media player with accessories (from my dad- he thought it was really cool. I did too, one I found out it ws compatible with my headphones.

)
-A bunch of assorted stocking stuffer things.
-Casual Santa!

I haven’t done a gift exchange with my friends yet, so we’ll see how that goes. Everything I got for them is totally awesome!

I was thoroughly surprised by the wife this year. Usually, I get things from her that she thinks will really surprise me or make me gasp with incredulity when in reality I think “Eh”. I got a Garmin Nuvi 650, The Ultimate Matrix HD-DVD box set, a minitaure version of the Christmas Story leg lamp that is now my computer area light, an FM transmitter for my MP3 player (which wasn’t worth a poop so it’s going back to the store), my yearly supply of Toblerone chocolate (including the dark chocolate version!), A Nightmare Before Christmas giftset of 4 different Jack Skellington figures, a plush version of Jack Skellington (which my 3 year old has sequestered to her room), Pirates:At World’s End DVD with the Keith Richards-pirate action figure, movie theater gift certificates and a Star Wars action figure two-pack with Quinlan Vos from my son (my fave SW comic character). I got my son Guitar Hero III for the Wii but I suspect I will play it more. That’s the cool thing about having a 12 year old boy - I can buy him toys for Christmas that I fully intend to play with myself. This includes some remote controlled helicopters and a Star Wars clone trooper box set.

For Christmas this year: I got snowman photo holders and a american express gift card from my aunt in NC, a Dunkin’ Donuts gift card and a turtleneck quarter sleeve shirt from my other aunt.

From my sister a book about the most disturbing films ever made (Exorcist, Texas Chainsaw, etc.)written by Joe Bob Briggs.

From my parents: an ionizer which we have to send back because I think the smell has made me sick the past two days. A Sgt. Pepper’s Beatles 2008 calendar, fingerless gloves that have mitten tops so when there’s no friggin’ heat in my office building these will come in handy, money, a B&N gift card, a necklace where it looks like two angels but if you hold it up to a light it casts a shadow resembling the face of Christ, I think that’s it….

Most of you will recall that I’ve had a pretty shitty time this Christmas. Santa clearly saw fit to try and make up for that, because I got the best haul ever. I did buy some of this stuff for myself, but it was with money willed to me by an aunt who is no longer around to get me anything herself, so it still counts.

VIDEO GAMES
-Nintendo DS Lite in crimson/black
-Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS)
-Super Mario 64 (DS)
-Brain Age (DS)
This game is way more addictive than I ever anticipated.
-SingStar 80s bundle (PS2)
Because I am an 80s WHORE.
-The Sims 2 Nightlife expansion pack (PC)

DVDs
-The Simpsons season 9 box set
-House season 1 box set
-The Simpsons Movie
-Netflix subscription

CDs
-Christmas Eve and Other Stories by Trans-Siberian Orchestra
-Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker
I lost my tape of this a few years back. LOVE.
-Very by Pet Shop Boys
Once again, I am an 80s/synthpop geek. MORE LOVE.

TOYS
-Giant 25th anniversary Share Bear, with the old milkshake logo, not the lollipops. YES.
-Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? board game
-Rainbow Slinky, because I’m obsessed with anything rainbow-colored

STUFF TO WEAR
-Totally awesome Domo-kun t-shirt. Click my name.
-Homer Simpson slippers, which are the comfiest things ON EARTH
-Really cute purple earrings
-Set of four chunky bead bracelets in purple, pink, brown and black

GIRLY CRAP
-”Sangria Splash” scented bath beads
-Cinnamon clove scented candle
-Silver glittery nail polish
-Set of 3 mini lip glosses

OTHER
-Fucking AWESOME Beatles Sgt. Pepper calendar. It’s big and psychedelic, and includes diverse holidays like Eid and the Day of the Dead. I like diversity in a calendar.
-Paper shredder
Now I can throw away my damn garbage.
-A set of really nice watercolor paints, brushes, and paper. YES. Usually when I ask for art supplies I get crap like felt or poster paint, so this was a great surprise.
-$150
-Assorted candy

Santa treated me right this year. However I gave out nearly as much as I got, here are some of the highlights:
-Elvis DVD, Elvis calendar, and a set of Elvis Pez dispensers, for my mom
-Mix CDs of songs from that SingStar 80s game. I got the game early and got my mom hooked on it, but she didn’t know the songs. Now she will.
-Burt’s Bees gift set
-A Mika DVD, for a friend who is mildly obsessed with him
-Optimash Prime
-Various Star Wars toys
-A really nice book of some sort. I have no idea what it was, I just told my friend to pick one out and I’d buy it for her.
-A Domo-kun calendar. I gave this to the same friend who got me the t-shirt, and it was totally unplanned. We’re just both geeks, I guess XD

I never usually get this much, and I would feel guilty about it if I hadn’t had such a shitty Christmas emotionally. You guys here have been the biggest reason for me keeping my spirit. Thanks

Ghost Squad for the Wii
Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles for the Wii
Super Mario Galaxy
Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune for PS3
iPod Classic 80GB

Matt, you’re gonna love “Behind the Arches.” It’s one of my favorite books of all time, no lie. You’ll have a new appreciation for the clown. Plus, there’s a great anecdote about a potato, a pipe, and a strange black liquid. That’s all I’m saying.

Eep. Sorry to double post, but that comment about my aunt sounded terrible on re-reading and I wanted to elaborate. See, this particular aunt generally spoiled me rotten with expensive clothes, makeup, etc. throughout the year and even more at Christmas. So I felt justified buying myself a few things with some of the money she left me, and consider those things my gifts from her. The way I worded it in my original post just sounded so greedy, but I meant it to sound grateful!

I made out great this year with my loot.I got:
-300 dolllars
-25 dollar Wal Mart gift card
-30 dollar Simon gift card
-Danzig 3 CD
-Danzig 4 CD
-Jackass 2.5 DVD
-Neca Resident Evil Crimson Head Zombie
-Neca Cult Classics S-Mart Ash
-DC Direct Batman and Son Joker
-Legendary Heroes Madman
-Star Wars TAC gold coin Biggs and Vader
-Star Wars TAC concept art Han and Vader
-Star Wars Wal Mart exclusive Jabba’s band 5 pack

That is about it, I hope everyone had a great Christmas. I’m off to buy as much Sierra Mist Cranberry as I can find before it all disappears.

I think I’ve only posted on this site four times previously, but this is my first Christmas reading X-E so I definitely have to post on the fallout thread!

What I recieved:
-The Beatles “Help!” DVD
-”Fun with the Fab Four” DVD (which is just a bunch of old Beatles clips one after another, but many of them I hadn’t seen before so it’s cool)
-Pink Floyd’s Piper at the Gates of Dawn on vinyl (with the cover art actually on the vinyl itself!)
-Team Canada toque
-A cat made out of pom-poms
-A gift set from The Body Shop (mostly soap and stuff, I don’t do perfume)
-Money, gift cards, and chocolate
-Assassin’s Creed for Xbox 360 to share with my brother

A couple months before Christmas, I recieved some old Yamaha speakers as an early gift, they’re great!

As thrilled as I am with my gifts of pants, bedsheets and a cheesecake pan, I feel kind of ashamed to admit that those are what I asked for when I see all the cool swag people got.

I guess my dad felt those were too boring because he ordered a whole bunch of stuff from Archie McPhee for me. Got the Albino Bowler action figure.

Christmas was kickass despite the mundane gifts I requested. Lots of wine and food, everyone really liked the gifts I got for them.

The Action Heroes Archives, Volume 2: Blue Beetle! The Question! Captain Atom! A whole lotta Ditko in one volume, in pretty pretty colors.
Fahrenheit 451: Never read the book until now. Huh.
McSweeney’s Enchanted Chamber of Astonishing Secrets: short stories, including a terrible, terrible one by Stephen King, in which he describes a woman’s wedgie no less than 4 times.
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Getting Published: career help for an idiot.
Clothes: Bleh.
And Gift Cards out the wazoo.

And I am proud to say that I got my dad a book about Hitler (I think it may even be called “The Hitler Book”) that he’s had to have read at least six times by now. He’s a big Hitler-aficionado now. Sure beats the Tim Hortons gift certificates I was gonna get him for the next twenty years.

-Leatherman e302 Knife
-Victorinox Classic Swiss Army Knife (silver alox)
-Misfits T-Shirt
-3 Bauhaus CD’s
-Bender’s Big Score DVD
-UFC Liddell vs Couture: The Trilogy DVD’s
-Wii Zapper with Link’s Crossbow Training
-Battalion Wars 2 for the Wii
-Dementium: The Ward for the DS
-The Orange Box for the Xbox 360
-Xbox 360 Quick Charge kit.

My big Christmas morning surprise was a 4-Gig iPod Nano from my mother-in-law. I knew she was buying one for my wife, but I never expected she’d give me one as well. And it wasn’t the only thing she gave me, one of the Bauhaus CD’s, Battalion Wars, Dementium, and the Quick Charger were also from my in-laws. I think I like them… :)

I also got some various gift cards and cash which I converted into Mass Effect, Gears of War, and Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga, all for the Xbox 360. So yeah, I’ve got a bit of gaming to do. It’s a good thing I don’t have to go back to work until next Wednesday.

But the best memory I’ll take from this Christmas is playing Rock Band with my wife’s family. My wife on bass, myself playing guitar, my sister-in-law playing drums, and my 60 year old mother-in-law belting out rock songs she didn’t know on vocals. And it was all my M-I-L’s idea. Believe me, she is neither a rocker or gamer. It was almost surreal and actually a hell of a lot of fun.

God, the octopus lamp is even cooler than I remembered…I’ve watched a ton of Simpsons this year for just that reason (feeling like watching something and nothing at once). After work I’m going back to check out the old Fallout threads…do you guys realize that in the time we’ve been falling out, entire classes of kids have entered and graduated high school? Blech.
jazzy, I’m glad Santa treated you right

I’ve got to look for that Sgt. Pepper calendar.
I already mentioned that my best friend gave me Lego Star Wars The Complete Saga and the Wii Zapper, which has been great fun so far. My brother got me an iPod dock/alarm clock…I (totally accidentally!) had already seen it when he brought it home from the store so I’ve been really looking forward to using it since my old alarm clock died weeks ago. From mom, the big gift was cash pledged toward the laptop I’ve been talking about buying, so now I guess I’ll have to go ahead and commit to picking one up. She gave me some other goodies that she brought home from Hawaii though: a hula girl that’s already been installed on my dashboard, and this totally adorable Christmas wreath thing. It’s made of all different kinds of wood, and it has three little angels and the baby Jesus and it says Mele Kalikimaka and it is so freaking cute I cant even explain it. I love it.

-Steve Martins autobiography
-I am Legend (The book)
-2 free months of cell phone service(Paid by my bro)
-Shirts
-Silk boxer shorts
-Simpsons boxers
-Simpsons desk calendar
-Mythbuster Collection Vol 1 & 2 DVD
-3 Wrestling DVDs (WSX, Best of Chikara, and Heroes of World Class)
-Invader Zim box set
-Simpsons movie
-Starbucks giftset (from a family grab bag thingy)

Finally in combination with my 21st birthday which is on Halloween, my girlfriend paid for a 2 night vacation in Atlantic City on Christmas Eve and Christmas, plus $100 to gamble with. AWESOME.

Roadblock — My dad got Hitler two years ago. Last year was Ho Chi Mihn. This year was Hirohito. History geeks (myself included) tend to get stuck on people and wars.

But so far I got a 6″ Goomba stature, who I’ve carried with me to every persons house i’ve visited jsut to show him off, and a book called Father Knows Least, which answers all of kids questions, like “why do ships have round windows” and “Why to policemen like doughnuts?”, which will be handy since my kids is due in May.

M’Lady “won” again. I took her to see Little Shop of Horrors, she got (well, i bought her and she hasn’t opened yet)The Gilmore Girls: Complete Series DVD, some Noise Cancelling headphones, wintersmith by Terry Pratchett, The Complete History of Alternative Rock by Alan Cross, and Star Tropics, in it’s original box for the NES.

Somehow I managed to make it through this Xmas without receiving and clothes….not sure how to feel about that. I actually do need socks. Oh Well, here’s the rundown:

3 PS3 Games
South Park Season 10 DVD
SuperBad on Blu-Ray
VB 2005 DB Programming Book
Air compressor with nail guns- I have nothing to nail but I will find something now though
A Swivel Sweeper- This was supposed to be a joke but anything that makes cleaning up bits of cat litter that are tracked across wood floors easier is my best friend.

I didn’t get any toyish type items but I got my son the Lego Star Wars AT-ST Collectors Addition…I can’t wait to put together all 16.5 inches of it.

New printer (Epson Stylus D92)
Three CDs:
“Take a Break” by Me First & The Gimme Gimmes
“Your New Favourite Band” by The Hives
“Against the Grain” by Bad Religion
Golden Girls Season 1-4 on DVD
Super comfy Burlington Socks in brown
A pashmina stole in bordeaux, 50 per cent cashmere, 50 per cent silk (sooo pretty and warm and soft)
A tiny metal suitcase with eyeshadows and a mirror
Phase 10, a card game
A 20 Euro gift certificate for H&M (I’ll try to find something nice for New Year’s Eve there)
20 Euro and tons of sweets by my grandpa
A Raichu PokÃ©kid figure

I haven’t been here (posting) in quite a while, but every morning when I’d come home from work, I would check the Advent Calendar and laugh my ass off before going to bed. I’m totally looking forward to the next entry, though I’ll be sad that it’s over…

My loot:
- Star Wars, The Complete Saga, for DS
- Castlevania, The Dracula X Chronicles (with mini figurine) for PSP
- Cowboy Bebop, The Movie, UMD
- Rescue Me, Season 3
- Samurai Jack, Seasons 1-4
- Big Fish (the movie, not A Big Fish ;))
- Godsmack - Good Times, Bad Times CD
- The Paths We Choose by Sully Erna
- Fabulous Friendship Festival by SARK
- “I Dream of Autumn” Barbie
- Digital Picture key chain
- Gift Cards from Suncoast and Target

I also recently bought myself the latest Harry Potter movie, Stardust, 20th anniversary edition of The Princess Bride, and World of Warcraft.

I haven’t really had a GOOD chance to play with any of my stuff either because I’m trying to transition myself from working nights back to working early mornings. It’s a slow, painful process, and at the moment I feel like I’m getting a cold. The shit we do for our retail jobs…

Anybody else get the Star Wars TransFormers Darth Vader that transforms into the Death Star? With the electronic Darth Vader voice and Death Star sound effects? And a light saber that lights up in his hand? And three tiny little TIE Fighter MiniCons that transform into droid “mech-modes”? And an honest to god cloth cape?? ‘Cause I did. And it’s the best goddamn thing in the world.

Uncle John’s Triumphant 20th Anniversary Bathroom Reader: Speaking of past “Christmas Fallout” blogs, ever since I saw that Matt got a similar Uncle John’s book last year I’ve wanted one of these and since this is the most recent version I went for this one. Matt described one of these as “(spending) a night just drifting mindlessly from Wikipedia entry to Wikipedia entry” and that’s pretty accurate.

I’m a 21 year old who can’t pass high school-level math courses but at least I know that if a tuna stops swimming it sinks, that Canadians refer to Whole milk as “Homo Milk” (short for “homogenized”) and that Colonel Sanders was a Freemason.

National Geographic’s: The Knowledge Book: Similar to the above book but far more scientific. The book’s subtitle is “Everything you need to know to get by in the 21st century” and that’s a pretty accurate description–this book is massive.

The Complete Calvin and Hobbes Collection: I’ve always wanted this but I couldn’t justify paying for (or even asking for) the $100+ collection since it’s essentially a hardcover version of the books that I already own. Still, Amazon.com had this for a little over $60 in November which is like $50+ cheaper than the retail price so I didn’t feel as bad for asking for it.

Battle: A Visual Journey Through 5,000 Years of Combat: I love these books. I already got “Universe” and “Earth” last year. They’re essentially picture books for adults which are loaded with detailed pictures accompanied by a ludicrous amount of information

Rainforest: Similar to the above two books but with more of a focus on vibrant images and less on detailed facts (but the facts that are there are very interesting–I *heart* leaf bugs).

Viva Pinata
Rock Band
Guitar Hero II (with guitar controller) and III
Bioshock
Two Xbox Live Arcade points cards
Arcade Stick:

All for the Xbox 360. The games are fun but I accidentally scratched the back of one of the points cards which erased some of the code so I can’t redeem it, and the guitar that came with Guitar Hero II doesn’t seem to be able to activate the Starpower feature.

All for the Wii. I love Geometry Wars (it’s one of the few games where I actually enjoy going for a high score) and though I haven’t played Zack and Wiki yet, I’ve heard great things about it.

Laptop case and Wireless Laptop Mouse: I am now freed from the oppressive stranglehold of that crappy trackpad (or whatever those pads on laptops are called)

Shirts, pants, and a new pair of shoes: It’s funny to think that only a few years ago I would have rolled my eyes and begrudgingly thanked those who gave me this stuff while I now consider my clothes to be some of the best, most useful things I got.

Simpsons 2008 Calendar: It just wouldn’t be Christmas if I didn’t get a Simpsons calendar. I get one of these every year and I’m happy that this year’s version features scenes from classic episodes instead of from the dreadful newer episodes (e.g. anything after season 10).

Battery Charger with two sets of batteries: I lost my original charger when my family moved in September and I lost one of the batteries when it fell into the toilet (seriously). Ironically, just days before Christmas I ended up finding my charger but I still like the new one better and the older batteries were starting to lose their charge anyway.

Gift-wise this was a pretty great Christmas–I got pretty much everything I asked for and while that’s all well and good, I can’t help but feel a little more of that Post-Christmas Depression than usual (thanks in no small part to the stress involved with picking classes for next semester which more or less decide how long I’ll be staying here). I know pretty much everyone says this every year and it’s kind of cliche but for me it’s true: Christmas really did zoom by for me.

Ironically, the season was quick not because I had a lot of fun but because I didn’t; I didn’t participate in any “Christmassy” activities since my friends were away and I kind of feel like I really didn’t get my “fill”, you know? This is also the third year in a row where I didn’t see my relatives and all of my good friends go to school either out of state or too far away in state and they didn’t come home until days before Christmas and they’re already leaving a few days from now.

The weather also sucked–we got over a foot of snow a week before Christmas and I was certain that nothing could cause all of the snow to melt in such a short amount of time but sure enough, 2 days before Christmas Eve it got into the 40’s and it rained until there was nothing on the ground.

I got for Christmas:
A brake job on my car
A new windshield for my car
A Zen V Plus 4GB mp3 player
Socks
Undies
Axe deodorant
Little Shop of Horrors on DVD
Gloves

I got some great shit this year. All I asked for were DVD’s and money to spend on shirts and more DVD’s and VHS’s. I got;

- The Lucio Fulci collection volumes 1-3
- The Fly and The Fly II Collector’s Edition (Cronenberg)
- I Spit on Your Grave
- Freaks
- Zombie
- Zombi 2 (I didn’t have the heart to explain that it was the same movie. Besides, this Blue Underground release is much better)
- A Snoopy plush doll
- Some jeans and a shirt
- Some cash

Matt: Wow, I got my fiance at bonsai tree kit! Weird! By the way, your gift is on its way.

kittymao: I just heard about those digital keychains and I want one!! Is it super awesome?!

Melissa Y.: I love Joe Bob Briggs! That book is going on my things-to-buy-with-gift-cards list!!

Roadblock: I’ve been interested in finding a good Hitler biography… would that be a good one for me to check out? I’m wanting a biography, not necessarily the end-all, be-all Hitler encyclopedia. (If anyone thinks this comment is odd, I’ve been reading The Wolf’s Hour by Robert R. McCammon–my favorite book of all time–and I’m curious to know if the various facts about Hitler scattered throughout are accurate.)

Oh, yeah, I forgot the new tires my parents bought for my PT Cruiser… I blew one earlier in the month and the decided it was time for a whole new set. Awesome!

And I bought myself a new tattoo earlier in December! (Click my name for a *pre-healed* picture… it’s healed now, but I haven’t had time to get a new pic of it)

I always love these lists, I need ideas on what to get with gift cards. Ah yes, and the Simpsons movie on bluray looks ridiculous.

squee: I’m not positive, but I’m pretty sure the calendar came from Wal-Mart, if it helps. It is easily my favorite calendar EVER, and I had a Far Side one last year, so that’s saying something.

I must be growing up, because with all the video games and DVDs I got, I am enviously eyeing the massive, nerdy books some of you guys got. I think some of my $150 will go for some books, as well as some real perfume for once. I got my wake up call on the perfume when I realized my friend’s 11-year-old daughter uses the exact same brand and scent of cheap body spray I’ve been relying on. That just won’t do

Looking over previous threads I see that I tended to be thrilled over things like CDs and video games, and whine about getting grown up things like jewelry or clothes. Now, I sort of want those things. The growth makes sense, since I’ve gone from 19 to 22 in the years I’ve posted (from 2004 until now).

But of course, I will continue to ask for Simpsons box sets every year until I have all ten trillion of them

TomTom GPS, which is awesome! Once the cable company repairs the box to the back of my house, I’m going to setup a different voice for it, with a celebrity voice I haven’t yet chosen. I’m also going to change the arrow to Mario in a go-cart (think Mario Kart).

Gaming chair (with speakers and sub built in) which is comfy and sounds really nice, it surprised me. It doesn’t work well playing Wii for a lot of games, but for Mario Galaxy, Zelda, etc that just require flicks here and there, it’s perfect, as well as for Ps2 and Xbox.

5 Wii games (Bowling, Playground, Carnival Games (which is really fun), The Simpsons Game, and Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles)

a million slim jims (my mom always buys these as stocking stuffers, this year she bought two 100 packs to split between 2 of my brothers and I).

DigiCam bonoculars (I think from Sharper Image? Can’t remember, but they’re nice, and fun to play with)

I got some random clothes, including boxer briefs (I decided Christmas was a nice time to make the switch I’ve always been curious about.. I’m rather happy and I think my boxers will slowly be replaced by boxer briefs)

I already have all available Simpsons seasons. The first season is funny. Everything is dark, Moe/Wiggum have different hair, Bart and Lisa’s hair is super pointy. I love it. Also the fact that Homer sounds more “grumbly”.

*1 week straight at Disneyland (rain or shine!)
*80 gig iPod (my man has 3 and this is my first one).
*Lots and lots of Villians pins for my disney lanyard that I have no intentions of ever trading but coveting all to myself for all time.
*A Coach Wristlet (holiday)
*A Coach Charm (heart photo holder)
*A Coach purse (this is actually for my bday in Jan)
*$100 gc for Victoria’s Secret
*$50 gc for Ulta
*Mini Train Case for travel make up
*Bare Escentuals Make Up (gotta look pretty)
*Wizard of Oz Wicked Witch Cookie Jar
*Wizard of Oz VHS tape to save for all time
*I Remember Mama DVD
*2 sets of Awesome PJ’s (Jack Skellington & Pirates of the Carribean)
*1 set of crappy PJ’s
*Leonard Maltin’s Complete Movie Guide 2007 edition (or something like that)
*$150 cash
*Sewing supplies for my craft room
*Rayban sunglasses
*Girly lotions and crap like that…

I think that about sums it up! Huh, I guess I got more than I thought when I actually list it out. Now I am happier than I was.

Jazzy: Over my left shoulderblade, nothing too racy. haha It’s my first custom piece, so I love it. I’ll take a healed picture and post a link eventually. The shading looks a lot better now. No more of the bruising and redness.

Gift certificates to my comic book store
Dominoes
A Marvel Zombies F4 shirt
A Alex Ross Justice League Shirt
A Alex Ross Legion of Doom Shirt
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

This year my mom started a new tradition and gave all of us 100 bucks to buy whatever we wanted. I went shopping today and bought the following:

Surf’s Up and Capote on DVD
The Wrestlecrap Book of Lists
Fudge from Scheel’s (including eggnog flavored)
A BUNCH of wrestling dvd’s from the 1/2 Price Bookstore 20% sale.
Also used those comic book gift certificates.

Just added a few more. Still have more to tack on later, including what my brother just presented me with…something that is five feet tall. :O

nork: I’ve been hearing so many great things about Carnival Games lately…sounds a lot like a video game version of the Wildwood boardwalk.

Special K: I have a few friends that would totally steal that tattoo idea if I showed ‘em that picture.

SleepDeprived: I can tell from your list that we have similar tastes. Those Uncle John books are so great.

Hm, Christmas was a little lean this year. I got three shirts of various colors, two cymbal bags (one needs to be returned), a 10″ Zildjian splash cymbal, 8-pieces of luggage that I’ll never use, and a laptop bag. I feel like an old man.

Hey all- Finally I am able to get online! I HATE that I missed being around XE for Xmas. Stupid dial-up.

The Haul:
New set of pots and pans
salad bowl set
lasagna pan
baking/mixing bowls
“A Christmas Story”, Garfield and Care Bear ornaments for the tree
80s calendar
REAL perfume
sweater
CELL PHONE! (1st one ever and I am 26…)
KT Tunstall CD
PJ pants
necklace
$40 movie theater gift cards
$100 bookstore gift card
Gilmore Girls season 7
3rd Rock from the Sun Season 2
Degrassi High: The Complete series
The Departed
Children of Men
a new toaster oven
cheese knife set

Awesome score, Matt. I’m jealous that my stash probably didn’t seem as kickass.

As for the Reiussue Soundwave? I got him months ago, and he is indeed one of my favorite figures ever. You should put one of the Playmobil Santa hats on him and make HIM the new 2007 Santa! He is actually only one of 3 Reissues that I bought: The other 2 were Jazz (broke him not 5 minutes after opening him when I was a child on my Birthday, was heartbroken), and Rodimus Prime (actually not that awesome, I’d rather have reissued Hot Rod).

-Robot Chicken Vol 2
-Family Guy Vol 5
-Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters dvd
-Harvey Birdman Vol 3
-American Dad Vol 2
-Muppet Show Season 2 (Beaker goodness!)
-The Simpsons Movie
-Bender’s Big Score

…That’s just the DVDs. I got a LOT of watching to do. Anyone else who has yet to watch Bender’s Big Score: It’s awesome. Probably as good as the Simpsons movie, if not better. My friend Steve & I are some of the diehard nerds who always wanted the full-lenght episode of “Everybody Loves Hypnotoad.” I think it’s great, while some call it useless. I say…All glory to the Hypnotoad…

-Movie Megatron (boosh!)
-Leader-size Movie Brawl (actually very awesome)
-Movie Blackout/Scorponok 2-pack (TRU Exclusive!)

-Steven Wright’s “I Still Have A Pony” cd
-”The Time Machine Did It” by John Swartzwelder, which I’m currently 1/3 of the way in. It’s hilarious to say the least. If you love Swartzwelder’s work and/or the Golden Age of the Simpsons, this is a great read.
-Swedish Fish & Twizzlers as stocking stuffers
-A new pair of Earphones for my computer speakers. It turns out that I have to replace those speakers too because I have to adjust my speakers to actually hear anything due to the hundreds of times of accidentally unplugging said headphones.
-A Digital Camera. It’s the same Kodak Easyshare my mom has, but it’s more advances, and because it’s resolution is .8 Megapixels better than my mom’s camera, it takes a slightly better picture. I had not asked for this, and I basically had Matt’s reaction to the Camcorder. Santa rules!

-Phoenix Wright (DS) and a $5 White Castle gift card from my friend Steve
-a $25 gift certificate to Best Buy from my CVS Secret Santa. My mom told me that there’s also another $25 gift card for her friend’s son that’s not gonna travel up here to LI with my mom’s friend, so she’s gonna give it to me.

-A new, Orange Hoodie from my GF’s parents.

-And from my GF: The Superbad 2-Disc DVD. And a shared gift with me & Steve of a 12-pack of Personalized Jones Soda bottles (Green Apple Flavor) with a pic of me & Steve on Top of The Rock in NYC, as well as a personalized message to both of us from her.

She’s awesome, and I told her that nothing I’ll get her would beat that gift. I ended up giving her Monster’s Inc. on DVD and a $25 Border’s Gift Card.

Christmas Fallout: what you risk when you wear a tube top while getting the presents out from under the tree.

As I said last thread, small haul.
MST3K: The Essentials, the one with Manos and Santa Claus Conquers The Martians. Hooray!
Two t-shirts, vintage-style Underdog and Autobot symbol. Cool.
Clothes, shirt and pants. Thanks Ma!
Wind-up robot pencil sharpener. Neat!
Snowman Peeps. Yum!
Backgammon. I always wanted to learn that one, but most descriptions seemed overly complicated. Thanks MB, for making it simple.
There are others coming, I’ll be surprised because I’m not worried about them.

Of course, the best part will be the discounts over the next couple of weeks. Pillage, pillage, pillage! Ransack-ransack woo!

Cripes on toast, Matt. You really scored.
Because my family’s Ukrainian, I’ve yet to receive the rest of my Christmas loot (my mom’s side celebrates on the 6th of January; my dad’s a less traditional Uke, and gives his daughters presents on December 25th). Anyway, Part 1 of 2 consisted of:
-It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia DVD set
-Lipstick
-New camera
-$50 iTunes gift card
-Book: Making Faces
-Lip stain
-Make up set
-Book: How To Talk About Books You Haven’t Read
-Book: The Logic Of The Lure (a professor of mine wrote it)
-A Christmas mug full of candy
-$10 Tim Hortons gift card

Matt: That’s just the icing on the cake… I’m saving up for a whole backpiece of the Spiral Hill in Van Gogh style O.O That will be my graduation gift from myself in about two years. This one was my Merry-Christmas-and- congrats-on-getting-your-Associates-in-psychology-and-sociology gift to myself. hehe

-”I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry” on dvd by by Big Brother in my frat. He’s got strange taste in movies and thinks the generic buddy comedy movie is good for me (he got me the Starsky & Hutch movie last year. Never even bothered to open it)

-That black simpson’s T-shirt with (most) of the characters where Homer himself glows in the dark. From my dad, a fellow simpsons fan (but nowhere near as hardcore as me)

I have all 10 plus the movie and I agree. I liked Season 1, and It’s interesting to see what everyone looked like, acted, and who wasn’t there yet.

-Mr. Burns was originally voiced by Christ Latta aka Starscream & Cobra Commander. Then he just had to die, and then Harry Shearer took over.

-Want an episode where most of the main Simpson family acts out of character in comparision to the rest of the series? Check out “There’s No Disgrace Like Home” (the episode where they all go to group therapy that involves the now-classic Shock Therapy scene). Lisa acts like a typical 8 year old, Marge gets drunk and leads a bunch of drunken wives in song, and Homer does the unthinkable of pawning their TV to pay for the group therapy (with Marge siding with the kids to not pawn it!)

-”Simpsons Roasting Over An Open Fire” was actually #7 produced, yet the first to air. The actual first episode produced was the season finale “Some Enchanted Evening.” Because no one liked how the finished episode looked, the creators sent it back for reanimating and it arrived back in time to be the finale.

-a $5 walmart gift card (given to me by a homeless friend! aw!)
-$5 starbucks gift card & mug (won in gift exchange)
-$15 barnes & noble gift card
-$25 visa gift card
-pacman belt
-3 kurt vonnegut novels
-1 emo philips cd
-hitchhikers guide to the galaxy dvd
-i feel pretty tshirt
-dunder mifflin tshirt
-hello kitty t shirt
-little miss sunshine tshirt
-ipod speakers
-bubblebath
-beautiful broach (given to me by my 90 year old great grandmother, from her own personal collection, after i showed her the necklace i was wearing!)
-cappucino mix
-5 different roast coffee flavors
-a laptop (which i am typing this comment on, woot!)

I got guitar hero 1 2 and 3 for PS2. i got about 6 outfits, and 500 bucks in cold hard cash. nothing says i love you like 100 dollar bills in an envelope that says “do your own damn shopping” in your dad’s handwriting. also got a new pair of shoes and a necklace.

At the risk of being overly sappy, I’d say the best gift this year was my family whole-heartedly welcoming my fiance for Christmas and getting him great stuff.
Other than that, the entire newest wave of Lego Star Wars kits, including the crazy 5,000 piece Millennium Falcon.

Special K:
The keychain is actually kinda cool! At first I thought it would be lame and cheap- it’s a lot nicer than I expected. Your charge it as you upload pix through the USB cord. It comes with a program that resizes the pix for you, as well as rotationg,cropping and MS Paint-like editing functions. Also, screen makes the images a bit grainy (think telescreen at a football game) it’s really quite sturdy- I’ve already dropped it a few times!
It’s by far one of the neatest presents I think I’ve ever gotten…
Oh wait- One year I got a Dreamcast.
THAT WAS COOL.

It’s said that it is better to give than receive, and I have two little girls, so here is the haul they got:
Wii, with Wii sports (we have been bowling nonstop for days, and my 9 year old rolled a 266)
A Razor electric scooter that looks like a Vespa
A Princess bike for my 6 year old
Lots of Little Pet Shop stuff
Various Barbies
Classic Clue
Lots of other stuff I cant remember…
I got some cologne and a 4Gb Walkman

Matt:
I too hosted Christmas this year- Must ALSO admit I blew up once.
I stomped into the living room On Christmas Eve where our 8 guests- who had been staying with us for 3 DAYS ALREADY- were watching the Unrated Halloween FOR THE 3RD TIME… *cringe*…

*said With loud voice and touch of sarcasm*
“Hi, you Guys. Rudy and I can’t Do Christmas by Ourselves, so I need you guys to pick up after yourselves and clean up around here. Thanks.”
*stormed out of living room*

I actually don’t regret it as i got EVERYONE to get up off their asses and work to make it a nice holiday. Narf.

Wii
Mario Galaxy
DDR Hottest Party
Zak and Wiki:quest for Barboro’s treasure
2 wii points cards
Classic COntroller
Webcam
500 dollars
150 dollars
95 dollars
20 dollars
25 gift card Atlanta Bread Company
20 gift card BestBuy
25 gift card Borders
25 visa gift card
25 stop and shop grocery gift card
2 AMC theater passes
2 popcorn coupons
1 soda coupon
leopard flannel pj’s
pink flannel pj’s with stars on them
sweatshirt with snow flakes and rhinestones…wtf?
HUGE micro fleece blanket
Wine colored velour hoodie and drawstring pants.

Matt I’m stealing that Pikachu Pillow!
Rainbowfeet I totally plan on purchasing ALL yes ALL the TIme Life Cd’s someday from Malt Shop Memories to the ones from the 70’s and even the country music ones.

With the borders card I may get Rhett Butler’s People or this AMAZING manga encyclopedia featuring TONS of Osamu Teszuka’s work(Astro Boy, BlackJack etc…)

No presents to report, but I just thought it time someone gave a shout-out to Matt’s girl. Not only does she tolerate his passions and all the time he has to put into this website (especially around the holidays), but her presents seem to indicate she actually encourages it. So, three cheers to you unnamed girlfriend!

From the Wife: 42″ Plasma TV by Panasonic (Can you say WOOHOO)- Our gift to each other, so both are covered there instead of one-upping the other like we do every year.

Fam:
Bags and Bags of Candy â€“ no joke, I have at least 4-5 misc. mixed bags here.

Gift cards to McDonalds and AMC (woohoo! Keira Knightley and cheeseburgers! Come to think of it, combining those two might do some good to both).

umm..thats all I can think of since I moved the main haul off the table in the kitchen. Lastly, best gift ever:

Her name will be Audrey Louise. Very excited! In a later thread, I will need advice from the XE ladies on which 80’s toy repros to snag. First on the list: Both sets of My Little Pony 1983 repros.

Well here’s my list. Wii system, classic controller, memory card, DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi 3, Dr.Katz complete series DVD box set, Ed Wood(Tim Burton movie), Natural Born Killers(uncut edition),a new shaver , Phantasms 1&3 and seasons 2&3 of Dragon Ball Z. Needless to say I was very grateful.

I got a Pokémon pillow for Christmas one year. It was Marill though. My brother had a Charizard. Ah, good times.

I got mostly books this year, because that’s what I asked for. My favorite was “The Yale Anthology of Twentieth-Century French Poetry” edited by Mary Ann Caws.
But I also liked my Thomas the Tank Engine coloring book.

I made the grave mistake in purchasing my first set of Harry Potter audio books on cassette and when they started to break left and right I began re-purchasing them on cd. (I’ve spent a small fortune on Harry Potter audio!) Anyway, my boyfriend got the last two I needed, Sorcerer’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets for me for Christmas. He tricked me by having me open an empty box with the mailing receipt for the books inside, but turns out he got them in time. He’s so funny.

-Guitar Hero III, Boogie, and Smarty Pants for Wii.
-Harry Potter junk. (Platform 9 3/4 sign, Weasley clock, hoodie, shirt, books about Harry Potter, etc.)
-Knob Creek bourbon signed by the distiller.
-Stress mask.
-Clothes/underwear/socks aka the norm.
-Bare Escentuals makeup.
-Waitress DVD
-Weeds Season Two (Although I am jealous my stepdad got Dinosaurs Seasons One and Two on DVD.)
-Ornaments and other odds and ends from my stocking.
-Much needed money! And a few other little things.

Best of all I spent time with my family and friends and we were all blessed with great gifts and good food. Although I must admit that something seemed off this year, but that doesn’t mean my Christmas was bad, just different.

I noticed a few of you got Bare Escentuals makeup. I’ve been eyeing that stuff for awhile, let me know how you guys like it!

Great stuff guys! But the few killer items i got were:
**Spiderman 3 on dvd(ok so maybe not that cool…but Venom!!!!!)
**Spiderman 3 Cologn (with an oddly attractive smell)
**Star Wars Zuckuss minibust(just 2 more bounty hunters to go!)
**A signed Jigsaw blade…by…(Drumroll) Jigsaw himself Tobin Bell! siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiicccck!
**A signed Steve Carlton Baseball!!!!
**Lots of sleeping pants(even a matching dr. pepper set!)
**Clothing,Clothing Clothing
**Bottle of Vodka(i forgot the brand but i hear its the good stuff!
**100% silk Mets Tie!(NASSSSSSSTTTTTTYYYYYYYYYY!!!)
*****and the best gift of all!**
HOLY CRAP MY MOM BOUGHT ME THE CHRISTMAS STORY LEGLAMP!!!! Now i get to stare at the soft glow of electric sex when ever i wish!!!!!!!!!!

I got probably the best present I’ve ever recieved from my sister this year. I had a toy robot as a child,who drove around and blew smoke and talked,and I’ve been lamenting his loss for years. I was never able to find him on ebay,but apparently she did,and now I have him again!
His name is Magic Mike,and for those of you who are Apoptygma Berzerk fans,he’s the toy robot who talks in “Something I Should Know” (not the same song as the Duran Duran one)

I love my (complete) Transformers Classics Collection. And Soundwave is my crown jewel. He sits on my desktops subwoofer, watching (and recording) all information. You should have seen the delicacy with which I put on his stickers with.

Anyway, my Christmas this year was low key. But I’m quite content with the follow