That Hypnotizing Idiot Box

Television. Both my best friend & my arch nemisis. At less than the cost of Starbucks each day I get access to an unlimited supply of mindless (& sometimes educational) entertainment. My love/hate relationship:

• 
  
  Love that it's cheap,


• 
  
  love that it isn't affected by the weather,


• 
  
  love it doesn't require 100% of my attention so I can exercise, scrapbook, clean etc while watching,


• 
  
  hate that I often GIVE it 100% of my attention,


• 
  
  love that it can be done by yourself or in a group,


• 
  
  love that thanks to my PVR I can watch awesome stuff whenever I want,


• 
  
  hate that thanks to my PVR I tend to watch much, much too much because I can tape it for later times so I end up watching stuff I probably wouldn't if I didn't have it,


• 
  
  love that it, somewhat, keeps me up to date on world happenings,


• 
  
  love that it makes me laugh,


• 
  
  hate that it makes me cry,


• 
  
  hate that it's impossible to shut off,


• 
  
  hate that it sucks away my motivation,


• 
  
  love that it brought me such amazingly awesome shows as the Office, Pushing Daisies, Sex & the City...


• 
  
  hate that it broght me shows such lame &/or disturbing shows such as South Park, Trailer Park Boys, Kink...

I'm sure I could think up tons more, but then I'll be spending time on the OTHER hypnotizing idiot box! What are your love/hates of TV?

Non or Less Monetary Gift Ideas

Not into the whole materialistic side of Christmas? Personally feeling the 'poor economy' we keep hearing about? I've been hearing a lot of people feeling broke these days and wanting to avoid the typical overspending splurge that is usually Christmas. However, I love to give and receive gifts so I was looking for alternative gifting options. I can't remember which site(s) I got this ideas from but I thought these were some of the best ideas out there.

• Buy a used book and in the inside cover explain why you chose the book for that person.
• A hand made recipe book would be a good idea. A compilation of old family recipes from your family, and your friends' families.
• Adopting a polar bear, snow leopard or giant panda in the name of all my friends and family members from World Wildlife Fund.
• As an another idea, try www.oxfamunwrapped.com. It allows you to send a gift to the 3rd World and depending on your budget you can buy chickens, blankets, radios, right up to a travelling theatre!
• A couple of years ago I did a calendar for the family with everyone's photos and birthdays. That was a big hit.
• Just try make a spiritual gift, not material, not an object. I prefer doing something - singing a song, writing a poem - for a person. Plus a little beatiful card, because most people want to "have something in the hands," it's just a habit.
• Give something you don't use any more (re-gift). A sweater that you only wore once; a set of drinking glasses you forgot you owned. Clean them up and give them as gifts. I have found all sorts of things in my apartment that I have no need for, but know someone who would appreciate and enjoy it!
• Create coupons for a massage, spring cleaning, child-minding, manicure, etc. Babysitting coupons for the new parents.
• I am making several batches of biscuits ("cookies" your side of the pond!) and boxes from some lovely dark red recycled card.
• If you are skilled in a particular area, offer a lesson or class.
• Collect quotes that make you think of someone.
• Fill an old trunk or suitcase with fun clothing, hats and gaudy jewelry for your children to play dress-up.
• Do something exciting and challenging together (e.g., long walk, bike ride, hike, art course).
• Write and illustrate a book for the young people in your life.
• Create a menu of various culinary delights (e.g., Tantalizing Thai, Mexican Fiesta, etc.) and have the gift recipient choose one of the options.
• Sponsor a child.
• Subscriptions.
• Save an acre of rainforest.
• Create a unique gift basket full of the recipient's favorite treats. Instead of stocking the gift basket with store-bought items, fill it with homemade Christmas candy, cookies and perhaps a personalized ornament.
• Make homemade gifts that express your talents. If you can sew, do carpentry work. If you are an excellent cook, use those talents to create unique gifts.
• Some sort of experience such as dinner theatre tickets, concert tickets, a sleepover, etc.

Source: Unknown.