Bah Humbug!

I've just seen the Coca-Cola Christmas advert. It must be Christmas. Ugh.

Now, I'm not a Scrooge, I do actually quite like Christmas. Obviously not the insane commercialism of it, but the odd family traditions, the Christmas dinner and of course, presents.

Which leads me to my bah humbug! moment. Buying presents for boys. Or, more specifically, buying presents for boyfriends. I hate it. And it's expensive.

I just find buying presents for boys really, really difficult. What's irritating is that it's so much easier for guys to buy for girls. Mainly because the shops cater to girl presents so much more so, even if you're stuck on ideas the shops will probably help you out, thus making the lives of boyfriends the world over much, much easier. Namely because you can buy girls presents in the following categories:

- Jewellery. All guys would need to do is pay attention to what type of jewellery their girlfriend wears most often. For example, I never wear bracelets but always wear earrings. Simple. (Unless of course you're the cute neighbor as a certain Violet Bickerstaff isn't a jewellery fan.)
- Cute & Cuddly. Not to every girl's taste true enough. But if it is, the options are there. Especially at Christmas time. Cute teddy bears everywhere you look. Some say 'I Love You.' Awww....
- Sexy Underwear. It's a risky one. Especially as this would entail your boyfriend knowing your bra size. But if he's feeling brave and wants to look like a creepy man buying women's lingerie, again, endless opportunities.
- Bath Goodies. If guys are really stuck, bath goodies! They come in pretty colours and they smell lovely. Plus there's the added bonus of special Christmas gift sets. Result!
- Perfume. Like the sexy underwear guys need specialised knowledge for this one. Namely, what's your favourite perfume? But if they know that. Simple. Simple. Simple.

Now, what do us girls buy for guys? I. Don't. Know. Hence my bah humbug moment. I don't know what to buy the White Horse and there just doesn't seem to be the same amount of guy gifts out there. Guys get it easy.

As for the White Horse, I remain stumped. I could get him a football (soccer) shirt but I'm not really a fan of him wearing those. But if it comes to it...

Son of a Stitch and Bitch

No matter how badly you might want a man this holiday season to accompany you to your holiday parties, you have to admit, there is definitely an advantage to being single this time of year: You don't have to buy a man a gift.

This is the current inner debate I'm having, and I need your help. I really didn't intend to get the Dark Horse anything for Christmas. First of all, my budget this year is about $20. That's not per person, that's my entire Christmas gift budget. Expect regifted presents and picture frames made out of popsicle sticks. Second, I didn't want to be the girl who puts a ton of thought into a gift only to get nothing in return, and end up feeling like Baby after saying "I carried the watermelon."

Now I'm thinking I should get DH something. This is based on a few things he's said this past weekend that make me think he may actually be getting me something. So after thinking about it for about 2.5 seconds, I came up with an idea to crochet him a hat.

Before you roll your eyes, let me explain.
1. He actually wears them. And looks damn cute in them.
2. He's going snowboarding after Christmas (which will extend through New Year's, leaving me without anyone to kiss at midnight AGAIN.) so it would be practical and useful.
3. My idea was confirmed this morning, when he tried to wear a hat I made out to brunch this morning. I reclaimed my hat and gave him another (complete with earflaps and llama motif, Fenella knows what I'm talking about) to take its place. For some reason, he didn't want that hat, he wanted mine, and we even had to ask out waitress if she thought he would look better in my hat or the one he was wearing. We even switched so she could make a fair assessment. I think we were her favorite costumers of the morning. Then he actually requested that I make him a hat. Actually, first he requested that I make him a tacky sweater, but I shot him down.
4. Considering my budgetary restraints, I don't think I have any other options. Aside from a picture frame made out of popsicle sticks, of course.

Here's my one hesitation: According to The Happy Hooker: Son of a Stitch and Bitch, there seems to be a curse of the hand crocheted/knitted item. You crochet/knit something for a guy, and not much later, you break up with him. So my question to you is, do I risk it?