Every year, instead of bumbling around at the last minute and either spending WAY too much coin on a guilt-riddled extravagant present or buying the completely wrong thing that we will each smile over and pretend to like on Christmas morning, my sweet wife and I exchange Christmas lists in mid November.  We don’t get the other one every item on their respective list or even most of them – they are used as a gift guide and if a couple or three things from the list show up under the tree then all the better.  For me, it really cuts down on the ugly ties, strange t-shirts, and books I will never read.  We do the same things with the kids, so that we have a general idea of what they are into each year.  This Christmas my list includes:

1. Cast Iron Brownie Skillet @ Bed, Bath & Beyond (I am trying to curb my cookie habit with brownies…)
2. Smart Wool Socks @ REI
3. DeWalt Trim Router Kit @ Rockler, Wood Craft, Home Depot or Here
4. The Gift of Bees @ Heifer International
5. iPod Nano from Apple
6. LunaTik Silver watch band for Nano @ MFG Website
7. 1 box of .45cal Ball FMJ
8. Red Iron Tagine @ Bed, Bath & Beyond
9. 1 Bag of Kona Coffee @ This Online Shop
10. Sam Adam’s Wheat Beer Glasses @ Their Online Shop (6th year on the list – hint, hint)
11. Laser Guide for Mitre Saw @ Rockler
12. Old Warner Brothers Cartoons @ Amazon (also like Tom & Jerry and Tex Avery ‘Toons)
13. Subscription to Monocle Magazine
14. Amazon, Apple, Starbucks, B&N cards
15. A donation to Smile Train, MFS, ADA, Habitat for Humanity, or your local homeless shelter would really brighten up the holiday.

I sent a similar list to the kids, but I added a new truck, an awesome cyclocross bike, an Omega Seamaster Watch, World Peace, a new table saw…  you know, in case they are feeling generous this holiday season.