NationStates Jolt Archive

Since we all know the real meaning of the holidays is loot ;), I will start the "what did you get" thread by listing the ways in which I made out like a bandit this holiday season. I got:

- a new coat which is quite posh
- a lamp made out of slides from Etsy (beating back seasonal affective disorder one lightbulb at a time)
- some gift cards to Target, Ulta, and H&M
- an external hard drive (woohoo since my computer was running out of room)
- a dog bed for Richie that he seems entirely uninterested in
- an ugly purse that I will have to parade around a few times *sigh*
- various travel-sized toiletries and wet wipes for no particular reason
- a very awesome concealer for the dark circles under my eyes (I am not insulted)
- and chocolate.

All five series of Curb Your Enthusiasm and other miscellaneous presents.

Oh man, that is AWESOME. *drools*

All five series of Curb Your Enthusiasm and other miscellaneous presents.

Since we all know the real meaning of the holidays is loot ;), I will start the "what did you get" thread by listing the ways in which I made out like a bandit this holiday season. I got:

- a new coat which is quite posh
- a lamp made out of slides from Etsy (beating back seasonal affective disorder one lightbulb at a time)
- some gift cards to Target, Ulta, and H&M
- an external hard drive (woohoo since my computer was running out of room)
- a dog bed for Richie that he seems entirely uninterested in
- an ugly purse that I will have to parade around a few times *sigh*
- various travel-sized toiletries and wet wipes for no particular reason
- a very awesome concealer for the dark circles under my eyes (I am not insulted)
- and chocolate.

Good haul this year then?

I got:

a new coat from M&S (cashmere in it, love it already. Mind you, it's got dog hairs all over it, less than 12 hours of being out of the wrapping paper).
a new all-in-one wireless printer (awesome, because now I can lounge around the house printing and surfing at random. I'm keeping it downstairs so I can request drinks to be brought up. Next stop: World Domination!).
various toiletries ('cause apparently I smell).
driving lessons, 'cause I can't do that yet.
enough chocolate to make me vomit.
a magnetic ball-bearing sculpture kit for my desk at work.
a calender for my desk at work.
leather jacket

Dog hair is a staple of my household as well.

-Star Wars Vault (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Vault-Treasures-Lucasfilm/dp/184737106X)
-Die Hard 4
-Khet (http://www.khet.com/)
-Night Watch dvd
-Calligraphy pens
-Obscene amount of chocolate
-Some puzzles that are doing my head in already :P
-Money

And it's my birthday tomorrow so yay more presents!

Oh man, that is AWESOME. *drools*

I've only seen the first series as well, so I've got plenty to entertain myself with until I can escape my parents house...

Dog hair is a staple of my household as well.

I'm sorry for you. I am truly this close *makes tiny space between thumb and second finger* to shaving it. And the cat as well. As much as I love them, walking down the street with laptop bag and two document folders, umbrella and usually some papers on the way to work (don't drive) whilst trying to brush fur off of my coat is not my idea of a good start. :)

I'm sorry for you. I am truly this close *makes tiny space between thumb and second finger* to shaving it. And the cat as well. As much as I love them, walking down the street with laptop bag and two document folders, umbrella and usually some papers on the way to work (don't drive) whilst trying to brush fur off of my coat is not my idea of a good start. :)

I don't even notice it anymore. With 3 dogs in the house, shaving them all would be a lot more work than I'd care to take on.

Why is there so much chocolate involved in gift-giving? It's enough to put a girl off it... *said while eating a toblerone*

I don't even notice it anymore. With 3 dogs in the house, shaving them all would be a lot more work than I'd care to take on.

I only got a small dog though.

WARNING: 1600x1200 picture.

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/6989/dscf0144sc1.jpg

Why is there so much chocolate involved in gift-giving? It's enough to put a girl off it... *said while eating a toblerone*

You got toblerone? :( Damn those swiss, such fine chocolate.

Why is there so much chocolate involved in gift-giving? It's enough to put a girl off it... *said while eating a toblerone*
It's the easy way out when you can't think of a proper gift :p

*goes back to her After Eights*

I got:


slippers
bath salts that stink like lavendar that I had to throw out
sweetgrass
dried meat


My relations finally, finally listened to me and didn't buy me a bunch of shit. Although my grandma still ended up giving me a bunch of dish cloths. Cuz you know...can never have too many of those.

I bought myself $700 worth of sexy dresses and skirts for my upcoming trip to Vegas. I give myself way better presents.

I bought myself $700 worth of sexy dresses and skirts for my upcoming trip to Vegas. I give myself way better presents.

Indeed. I got me a laptop, with enough programs to fill it up. That was to go with a wireless network I set up. Would have been better the other way around maybe.

The one thing I asked for: a Macbook Pro. I type on it now! :D

from 'rents
World in Conflict
Call of Duty 4: Modern Conflict
Band of Brothers DVD Set
FIREFORCE: One Man's War in the Rhodesian Light Infantry (By Chris Cocks)
U.S Aircraft Carriers: An Illustrated Design History (By Norman Friedman)
NELSON to VANGUARD: Warship Design and Development 1923-1945 (By D.K Brown)
Europe At War 1939-1945: No Simple Victory (By Norman Davies)
A History of Military Though: From the Enlightenment to the Cold War (By Azar Gat)
Some Toiletries
- Still to arrive from Amazon:
Rhodesian Flag
British Empire Wall Poster

from family + friends
£70
No Mean Soldier (By Peter McAleese)

from 'rents
World in Conflict
Call of Duty 4: Modern Conflict
Band of Brothers DVD Set
FIREFORCE: One Man's War in the Rhodesian Light Infantry (By Chris Cocks)
U.S Aircraft Carriers: An Illustrated Design History (By Norman Friedman)
NELSON to VANGUARD: Warship Design and Development 1923-1945 (By D.K Brown)
Europe At War 1939-1945: No Simple Victory (By Norman Davies)
A History of Military Though: From the Enlightenment to the Cold War (By Azar Gat)
Some Toiletries
- Still to arrive from Amazon:
Rhodesian Flag
British Empire Wall Poster

from family + friends
£70
No Mean Soldier (By Peter McAleese)

Nice. Empire fan much? (not that we couldn't tell from your RPing, of course). And WiC is an awesome game. Much fun to play online, if a little complicated and annoying through lack of any decent numbers. 3 heavy artillery piece limit isn't that great.

Since we all know the real meaning of the holidays is loot ;), I will start the "what did you get" thread by listing the ways in which I made out like a bandit this holiday season. I got:

- a new coat which is quite posh
- a lamp made out of slides from Etsy (beating back seasonal affective disorder one lightbulb at a time)
- some gift cards to Target, Ulta, and H&M
- an external hard drive (woohoo since my computer was running out of room)
- a dog bed for Richie that he seems entirely uninterested in
- an ugly purse that I will have to parade around a few times *sigh*
- various travel-sized toiletries and wet wipes for no particular reason
- a very awesome concealer for the dark circles under my eyes (I am not insulted)
- and chocolate.

A beautiful computer speaker system, with a subwoofer included. (No, really!) And I got a couple of albums to go along with it.

I only got a small dog though.

WARNING: 1600x1200 picture.

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/6989/dscf0144sc1.jpg

Cuuuuuuuuute! We have two border collies and a dachshund. :)

I got:


slippers
bath salts that stink like lavendar that I had to throw out
sweetgrass
dried meat


My relations finally, finally listened to me and didn't buy me a bunch of shit. Although my grandma still ended up giving me a bunch of dish cloths. Cuz you know...can never have too many of those.

I bought myself $700 worth of sexy dresses and skirts for my upcoming trip to Vegas. I give myself way better presents.

Sweetgrass?

I got nothing. It's part of my only Christmas tradition, which is to not celebrate it in any way whatsoever.

You got toblerone? :( Damn those swiss, such fine chocolate.

It is very tasty and I am starting to feel like death cause it's all I've had for lunch.

It's the easy way out when you can't think of a proper gift :p

*goes back to her After Eights*

Oh man, I remember After Eights! Oh England, I miss you so. :(

Nice. Empire fan much? (not that we couldn't tell from your RPing, of course).

:P

And WiC is an awesome game. Much fun to play online, if a little complicated and annoying through lack of any decent numbers. 3 heavy artillery piece limit isn't that great.

Mmm... yeah, I kinda enjoy it. 3 artillery seems ok for US and NATO, but bit restrictive for USSR, given their artillery kinda blows in comparison to US and NATO (imo anyway)

A pair of sneakers, a sweatshirt and some cash from my mom, some gift cards from my cousins, A new paintball jersey from my sister and my dear sweet wife gave me a book on how to design and build my own catapult and a Home Depot gift card for supplies. Now that's love. :)

She and I have also exchanged several orgasms while the kids were visiting grandma again(they were just there yesterday). :)

Mmm... yeah, I kinda enjoy it. 3 artillery seems ok for US and NATO, but bit restrictive for USSR, given their artillery kinda blows in comparison to US and NATO (imo anyway)

Well, it's got that extra power to it which is nice when you're just looking to make big dents in the ground, but you can't get the TA points like you can with NATO and the US. And for someone who likes carpet bombing and nukes (who doesn't), that's not great.

Sweetgrass?

We use sage here, the sweetgrass was from some family from Saskatchewan.

Cuuuuuuuuute! We have two border collies and a dachshund. :)

Ain't she just? Likes stealing seats on the sofa and getting the cat to clean her. Doesn't like it so much when the cat beats her up in return.

Since we all know the real meaning of the holidays is loot ;), I will start the "what did you get" thread by listing the ways in which I made out like a bandit this holiday season. I got:



some books,
PJs
sweaters,
but the important thing:
next year instead of a fake santa, stripper, parents and aunts and uncles said it was K

Oh man, I remember After Eights! Oh England, I miss you so. :(

:eek: *mails After Eights to Ilie*

They might get a bit squashed, but they'll be fine... :p

Books, consumables, a little camping indispensables kit, CDs, and *ahem* less tangible things.

Not bad given that I never celebrate the darn thing.

Well, it's got that extra power to it which is nice when you're just looking to make big dents in the ground, but you can't get the TA points like you can with NATO and the US. And for someone who likes carpet bombing and nukes (who doesn't), that's not great.

true enough.

A PC game that won't run on either of the four PCs in my house. And a domokun.

I got to be home in Everett for only the fourth white Christmas in 66 years. I got to play with my dog and cook for my parents. I got to meet and hang with the friends I miss for 10 months of the year. I got everything I wanted, without unwrapping a single thing. :)

We use sage here, the sweetgrass was from some family from Saskatchewan.

The sweetgrass in North Dakota gets very fragrant in late August. The smell is heavenly.

I gotto be home in Everett for only the fourth white Christmas in 66 years. I got to play with my dog and cook for my parents. I got to meet and hang with the friends I miss for 10 months of the year. I got everything I wanted, without unwrapping a single thing. :)

Hooray for sentimentalism (no sarcasm intended). Glad it was so nice for you, especially the white christmas. Don't get those over here any more.

I don't know if I've ever experienced a white christmas. OK, maybe once.

I don't know if I've ever experienced a white christmas. OK, maybe once.

I think it was '95 in the UK when it last snowed on Christmas Day. I don't know why I remember that.

For christmas? Nothing.

For chanukah, however, I got Super Mario Galaxy, Dragon Quest Monsters:Joker, and $300. Yes, some of you think cash gifts are rather impersonal, but keep in mind that I have no interest in lamps, calendars, pens, or posters, and I'm DEFINITELY not interested in any kind of clothing.

Hooray for sentimentalism (no sarcasm intended). Glad it was so nice for you, especially the white christmas. Don't get those over here any more.

I'm 37. "Things" don't really do it for me anymore unless they're practical. I'm big on mental snapshots and sentiment.

For christmas? Nothing.

For chanukah, however, I got Super Mario Galaxy, Dragon Quest Monsters:Joker, and $300. Yes, some of you think cash gifts are rather impersonal, but keep in mind that I have no interest in lamps, calendars, pens, or posters, and I'm DEFINITELY not interested in any kind of clothing.

L'chaim!

Cash is never impoersonal. It always fits, it never needs batteries, and can always be exchanged for something you need or want with the absolute minimum of hassle. What's a better material gift than that?

I'm 37. "Things" don't really do it for me anymore unless they're practical. I'm big on mental snapshots and sentiment.

Fair enough. Definately a healthier way to look at christmas, although I'm not a big celebrator of it. I'd rather be at work.

Exactly! It took me until I was 19 before I convinced my father not to deviate from the list. Among the things I got were a Jeopardy board game (despite the fact that the only Jeopardy I watch is th SNL version) and a cup (WTF!?)

There were a whole bunch of other bad gifts, but my mind erased the memories to save my sanity.

Let's see...

I got:

A Sugar Bowl Tshirt (go Dawgs!)
A UGA garden gnome (I live in an apartment so it's going on a shelf or something in lieu of my nonexistent lawn)
A protective carrying case for...
An iPod touch(I'm actually typing this post on it!)
plus a few other assorted gifts.

I only got a small dog though.

WARNING: 1600x1200 picture.

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/6989/dscf0144sc1.jpg

that dog will not be small for long.....but he sure is cute.

Cash is never impoersonal. It always fits, it never needs batteries, and can always be exchanged for something you need or want with the absolute minimum of hassle. What's a better material gift than that?
Still trying to get my family to understand that, especially as they (Read my mother) never get me what I ask for and instead gift me a book of some 2,000 knock knock jokes to use in my classes (With kids who don't understand basic English, let alone puns). Thankfully this year most of them went into fiscal shock with the outrageous shipping rates from the US to Japan so I'm promised money and gift cards.

For gifts themselves:
A whole bunch of deodorant (Sounds strange, but Japanese deodorant is very weak and I was almost out of my American brands)
Said book of 2,000 knock knock jokes
York Peppermint Patties (YUM!)
Some peppermint tea
planet earth DVD set (Which so far has been awesome)
And from my wife, a Japanese-English/English-Japanese electronic dictionary with audio samples, MP3 player, and kanji look up. THAT sucker is exactly what I not only really wanted, but seriously needed. She's always the best at getting just the right gift for me, just as long as I make sure to keep her in coffee and pancakes. ;)

:eek: *mails After Eights to Ilie*

They might get a bit squashed, but they'll be fine... :p

After Eights are tasty *Munches*


Mmmm... Chocolate :fluffle:

Oh, and they can survive air travel - just FYI ;)

that dog will not be small for long.....but he sure is cute.

She's 4 years old. Got Jack Russell in her, so she'll stay that size, maybe a little bigger. She also hates things being pointed at her: vacuum cleaners, toy guns, fingers...

That always suprises people.

Laptop, some lovely new clothes, few books, Call of Duty 4, and some golf things.

A shirt.
A blanket.
A winter coat.
A thesaurus.
A dictionary.
The Colour of Magic
Mort
Neon Genesis Evangelion Platinum: Perfect Collection

MP3 Player
New shoes (which I didn't need)
New Pants (which I didn't need)
Carolina Panthers shirt
Workout pants
Weight lifting gloves
A framed picture of my Nephew
DVD of "Young Frankenstein"
A mouse for my cat (which she just loves)
Gift Card to Dick's Sporting Goods
Candy which I won't eat because I'm a picky eater.

She's 4 years old. Got Jack Russell in her, so she'll stay that size, maybe a little bigger. She also hates things being pointed at her: vacuum cleaners, toy guns, fingers...

That always suprises people.

wow! I used to have a mix breed pup that looked just like her, he got up to 75lbs. If I knew I could get a mix that would stay cute puppy, I prolly would have looked harder!

Jack Russels are the most insane of terriers, expect lots of weird neurosis.

A platinum bracelet
A platinum ring
Onyx earrings
Nice leather wallet
Need For Speed Prostreet
Two novelty Tee's
Dolce & Gabbana cologne

:cool:

wow! I used to have a mix breed pup that looked just like her, he got up to 75lbs. If I knew I could get a mix that would stay cute puppy, I prolly would have looked harder!

Jack Russels are the most insane of terriers, expect lots of weird neurosis.

Bonzai puppy!

She is pretty crazy. Stays up for hours barking at the foxes, chases moving cats but leaves ones that are sat still (she gets beaten up by them anyway - screeched like a banshee when she got trapped by a cat having jumped through a garden gate), and has this wierd affinity for stealing your seat. She lies in wait on the rug, until you get up, jumps in, then gives you the puppy-dog eyes.

She also likes being under quilts and blankets. She is, by far, the craziest dog I've ever seen.

I got:
-A Scrabble set
-"Blazing Saddles"
-A diamond accent necklace
-Jumper cables
-A knitting calendar
-Two Seether albums
But I value one present more than all of these. A friend of mine sent me photos of a mutual friend of ours, who died very suddenly in October. I had no photos of him. I don't even have words for what that act of kindness means to me. Thanks to him, if he reads these forums. :fluffle:

- Chocolates, Candies
- Bath Robes
- Wine, Scotch
- Books
- XBox 360 Game (Ace Combat 6)
- Lottery Tickets
- Hat
- T-Shirts, Hoodies, Shorts
- Wireless Headphones (Which sadly suck)
- Electric Razor (Fifth year I've gotten one, so I have to remember to remind everyone I know throughout December that I use a regular Gillette)
- Pornography
- Gift Certificates
- Paintball Stuff

*Kyronea copies his post from GM.

Lesse...

A robe with some sort of Hopi pattern on it, along with new house-shoe moccasins to match.

A pair of swim trunks and goggles, for my swimming starting soon.

A book by Harry Turtledove called "Opening Atlantis."

Some sort of flannel hooded jacket.

A blue shirt.

A Santa hat.

A scarf from my sister(she knit it herself.)

Erm...

Oh yeah, a fifty dollar gift card for Kohl's. I think that's it.

A trip to Europe next summer is my combined Christmas and graduation present.

I also got:

Real Lives 2007
Book 3 of "The Trap-Door Maker" by Pete Bregman
2 Michael Crawford CDs
Some money
An Invader Zim shirt from Hot Topic

-Assasins Creed for the 360
-Crysis
-$350 in cash/gift cards
-A Darth Tater Potato Head (to add to my ever growing Star Wars collection)
-Some clothing that I probably will never wear

I got clothing and some fudge my niece made for me. My family has finally stopped looking for stuff to buy me, as I really don't like accumulating stuff that I don't need.

Also, my mom made a cookbook of my grandmother and great grandmother's recipe boxes. That's probably the best thing I've received in years.

Also, my mom made a cookbook of my grandmother and great grandmother's recipe boxes. That's probably the best thing I've received in years.

That's so thoughtful! I hope this brings you years of cooking enjoyment!

A trip to Europe next summer is my combined Christmas and graduation present.

Try to avoid the UK like the plague (although the right areas of London are nice), the suburbs of Paris are good if you like a touch of the warzone, and if you're going to Germany, do it in October.

I got a bunch of crap......and also a really nice camera I bought for myself.

I got both guitar hero games.
I got Civ IV beyond the sword.
I got AOE III.
I got a bunch of books and movies!
I got super paper mario.
And (saving the best for last)I got to be with my family.
Merry CHRISTmas everyone!

-Complete Monty Python 16 DVD set
-Chappelle's Show Season 1
-Victory DVD
-Assassin's Creed (360)
-Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts
-Two books on WWI whose titles I cant remember
-adidas beckenbauer track top, maroon/silver
-some posters
-Germany's 1986 and 1990 World Cup jerseys from ebay, most likely fake
-I am America and So Can You by Stephen T. Colbert
-some trinkets from Bayern Munich that cost twice as much to ship and have yet to arrive

I ordered it all myself for my parents to wrap, so there were no surprises.

Oh, and they can survive air travel - just FYI ;)
Sssshhhh!!

*keeps chocolate for herself*
:D

A friend of mine decided to drive around today and drop off a bottle of wine at all of her friends' homes (who are in town for the holidays). Seriously! How wicked it that!?

A 1995 Pontiac Sunfire. (hey..it runs well)
A new Washburn acoustic guitar.
A very nice pair of recording headphones.
a couple bottles of good wine.
some clothes...

and a lump of coal.

So, what sort of cool holiday loot did ya'll get?

I got a buncha good books - Ghost Wars, The Audacity of Hope, Fiasco, as well as some SF and sudoku books; some of my SIL's homemade blue cheese, a bar of her goat/sheep milk soap, and a small heap of little goodies.

A radio/flashlight, some food, and a day spent in a hospital room.


Need I say more?

A radio/flashlight, some food, and a day spent in a hospital room.


Need I say more?

:( Awww. You or someone else?

:( Awww. You or someone else?

Oh, it was for somebody else, but that really doesn't change much.

Bourne trilogy on DVD, Guitar Hero III and a extra wireless controller, about 70-80 bucks and a Minnesota Vikings Blanket.

$355 total in cash
A 4-1 USB hub
Brain Boost: Gamma Wave for the DS
An Abercrombie t-shirt
A body pillow
"I-Empire" by Angels and Airwaves
A black and brown reversible belt

130 of that 355 goes straight away to pay off a ticket I got on Saturday.
The rest I'm likely spending on DS games, over the course of the first few months of the new year. I'm definitely getting Advanced Wars: Days of Ruin, and the new Crystal Chronicles when it comes out.

I got clothing and some fudge my niece made for me. My family has finally stopped looking for stuff to buy me, as I really don't like accumulating stuff that I don't need.

Also, my mom made a cookbook of my grandmother and great grandmother's recipe boxes. That's probably the best thing I've received in years.

Now THAT's a great gift! My novice cooking skills envy your received wisdom.

I got both guitar hero games.
I got Civ IV beyond the sword.
I got AOE III.
I got a bunch of books and movies!
I got super paper mario.
And (saving the best for last)I got to be with my family.
Merry CHRISTmas everyone!

So...the point of that was to...what? Show off your loot and then remind us that it's not about the loot?

Ilie, I's need pics of this suit you're talking about. Not here, unless you feel like posting it in the NSG Photo thread; GM, if you feel so obliged.

But not those partial shots. We need FULL FRONTAL...er, Ilie. Yeah.

Anywho, I received:

-Clothes
-2 sweatshirts
-The Simpsons Movie/Bourne Vol. I-III
-Microsoft Flight Sim X
-A pocket knife (?) with an American symbol on it - while my stepbrother received one with a Confederate flag on it ( :D )
-This shirt that's similar to that multi-colored Bob Marley shirt with the dreads, only its Peter from Family Guy in it
-A pass on my $300/month car payment (The min. is $80, if you're wondering)
-Gift Cards
-Random stocking stuffers a la 99 Cent store (Dollar General, for those of the East Coast)
-Chocolate

Huzzah!

Well, I already listed my book haul in another thread, so here's (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13321122&postcount=45) a link.

As for other stuff:

A couple fairly nice shirts
A trilby hat
Some chocolate: Chocolate Orange, Seashells, Lindt Reindeer, some misc nice Milk Chocolate
Bouncing Putty: Feels like foam, stretches like blu-tac, bounces like a rubber ball.
Illuminati: An awesome game, great fun

All in all, a very nice Christmas.

Edit: And three CDs of Jazz, actually. Damnit, can't remember everything.

Nothing. I don't celebrate Christmas.

I got... A Blazer...that's it...

I got nothing. Not a phone call, a wink or even a piece of bread. I was totally alone as usual. Well, I had my cat and dog for company and leftover porkchops and stuffing for dinner. :(

PS3 and an iPod nano. W00t!

It's a good thing environmental issues didn't manage to ruin your christmas!

Remember, all the talk about cutting CO2 emissions would've cut into your, and mine, christmas presents.

It's genuinely a good thing USA has the integrity to stay out of global emission treaties - They're about the only ones being honest about what's truly important for Western humans: Here & now consumerism.

- In This Moment 'Beautiful Tragedy'
- Bourne Supremacy
- A bunch of gaming books

Since we all know the real meaning of the holidays is loot ;), I will start the "what did you get" thread by listing the ways in which I made out like a bandit this holiday season. I got:

- a new coat which is quite posh
- a lamp made out of slides from Etsy (beating back seasonal affective disorder one lightbulb at a time)
- some gift cards to Target, Ulta, and H&M
- an external hard drive (woohoo since my computer was running out of room)
- a dog bed for Richie that he seems entirely uninterested in
- an ugly purse that I will have to parade around a few times *sigh*
- various travel-sized toiletries and wet wipes for no particular reason
- a very awesome concealer for the dark circles under my eyes (I am not insulted)
- and chocolate.

First and foremost, I got to spend it with my fiance and his family, and will be spending New Years with my family.

I got some money from my parents, and a necklace, and some lipstick.
I got a gift card to Kohl's and some picture frames from my future in-laws.
I got a bracelet and a picnic basket from my sweetheart.
I got a beautiful shawl from my future sister in law.

I gave fruit baskets to my inlaws, brother, friend's family and cousin
I gave Transformers, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and a gift card from Best Buy to my fiance. (which he used to buy an Xbox 360)
I gave games to my nieces.
I gave Dolce and Gabbana: The One to my mom.
I gave a tripod to my dad.
I gave a digital picture frame with 1GB of memory to both parents for their many, many trip pictures.
I gave a Justice League DVD to a friend.
I gave a plastic model for a modeler friend.
I gave the game "Apples to Apples" for a teacher friend.
I sent an All-Clad roasting pan to my newlywed cousins.
I gave an AquaDoodle mat for my future niece through marriage
I gave a (toy) truck for my future nephew through marriage.

I got... A Blazer...that's it...

Chevy?

Now THAT's a great gift! My novice cooking skills envy your received wisdom.

The recipes from my great grandmother are really interesting. She lived during the Depression (she was about my age, 25) and thus all of her recipes are from scratch.

My father sent $200 from California - and since my wife doesn't yet have medical insurance and we needed the money after buying her medication, it was much needed.

Also, I got $75 to Jiffy Lube to get my car, a beat-up '95 LeSabre with a fuel line problem that otherwise is a fantastic car, a deluxe oil change or two.

The big winner was a DVD box set of the Detroit Red Wings' Stanley Cup seasons. The moments during the 1997-98 season with Vladimir Konstantinov holding the Stanley Cup with his old teammates made it worth the sticker price by themselves.

Skis from the parents, a Fossil watch from the Girlfriend.

Plus clothes, food, coffee, money and handweights.

It's a good thing environmental issues didn't manage to ruin your christmas!

Remember, all the talk about cutting CO2 emissions would've cut into your, and mine, christmas presents.

It's genuinely a good thing USA has the integrity to stay out of global emission treaties - They're about the only ones being honest about what's truly important for Western humans: Here & now consumerism.

Awwww.... Did Santa not bring you what you wanted?

I got:

* A hat with a skull and cross-sabres on it
* Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer
* A new harddrive
* Money
* A haircut (albeit that wasn't a present for me, more a present for my sister from me)

I got:

A new watch
Some aftershave
New pair of jeans
New top
Heroes Season 1 boxset

i got a paper aeroplane launcher, it launches them at 45 mph, awesome.

and a nice jacket but it's too tight round my shoulders so i'm getting a size up.

and my pal got me a record bag which is pretty cool.

I got earphones from my parents and money from my relatives.

I got gift cards (Barnes and Noble, Best Buy) and a high-end food processor - I actually did want one so it's a good gift. As soon as I get it set up, there will be pesto, homemade mayonnaise, salsa, guacamole and all sorts of wonderful goodness emanating from my kitchen.

I got

Money!
A couple of books
A huge gift basket of Godiva and Ghiardelli (sp?) chocolate!
Some Big Boy gift certifs