I have to admit it; I think I am addicted to finding gifts for people. I get an inexplicable joy from getting something for a friend that I know they will love. I buy gifts a year in advance if I see the right thing. I don't particularly care about getting gifts in exchange – I just love giving people presents. I think I am a gift-giving junkie.
That was until my step-mother came along. She is, by far, the best gift-giver on the planet. Last year for Christmas she gave me a set of antique silver cutlery complete with original wooden box that she found in an antiques show in England. She manages to find my fashion editor friend clothing that she actually likes. She buys my brother foie gras and obscure vinyls that no one has ever heard of.
Having got back from South East Asia satiated by lots of amazing food, there was only one thing we hadn't had for a month that we really were craving. Cheese. Not something you get in Vietnam. Low and behold, a box gets delivered to our house that says "yes I'm smelly, that's because I'm cheese." A crate of lovely, stinky English cheese from the Ideal Cheese Shop, complete with two olive oils and some chutney. I'm taking them over to Stef's house tonight for an all-cheese dinner. Thanks for marrying her, Dad. Now what on earth do I get her?
If that is how you describe people like us... then I am a gift-giving junkie too! i enjoy finding gifts for friends, something they love and will enjoy it, as much as i enjoy the joyfulness i get when i give it to them. Remember the book you gave me "SAGMEISTER: MADE YOU LOOK", it is still my favorite design book! Thank you ;-)
Posted by: charlotte | January 25, 2008 at 06:31 AM
That is an awesome gift. It's funny, I gave my mom the same thing a few years ago. And also from Ideal. I love that shop. When I first started an interest in cheese, a million years ago, they were my cheese shop. The guys there were awesome, letting me taste stuff, walking me thru what works with what. Ed Edelman, the owner, was a doll. As far as I'm concerned, they will always be the best cheese shop in NYC. I know that one or two others will have a bigger selection, but no one can beat how they treat their customers.
Posted by: chisai | January 26, 2008 at 08:28 AM