Chanukkah: Presents Recieved

For those of you who didn't read all the way through it, Dave Barry's gift guide had some gems. Or so CJ thought, as he purchased the following gifts for me:

The Marie Antoinette doll, complete with ejector head.

A Jane Austen Action Figure

And last, but not least, this "unintentionally hilarious" guide to courtship, entitled:

Thanks, sweet pea.

(disclaimer: CJ does not know that I have a blog)

Chanukkah: Presents, Part II

Laurel Snyder of Jewcy asks if we can justify giving Chanukkah gifts. If you can, and you want to give something cheap/absurd, here are some sources to check out:

Slate's last-minute drugstore gift guide

Dave Barry's desperation gift guide

I read the latter aloud to CJ, and had to stop, gasping for breath, between laughs. So if anyone is looking for a gift for me, I'd really like the ride-on cooler.

Channkah: Presents

For those who are unfamilar with the story of the Festival of Lights, it has NOTHING to do with presents. The Maccabees did not defeat King Antiochus, clean up and resanctify the temple, and then exchange gifts. If you just want to take one part of the holiday out of context and celebrate that, fine, you can go have some donuts (sufganiyot) with Michael* of KosherEucharist. Although, for the record I am kind of jealous of Jameel, who can light his menorah with home-grown/picked/pressed olive oil, all from the land of Israel.

That said, I really enjoy presents. While I realize that might sound a bit, oh, materialistic, that is not how it is meant. I like to give/recieve small random gifts. Just something to tell the person that you were thinking about them, and that you appreciate them. So, if you are someone who wanted to get me a present, here are a few hints:

1) Books. They are an expensive habit, but one that I can't seem to break. And the New York Public Library branches aren't that awesome. At least not the ones nearest me.

2) Things that I specifically will like. (None of these, although judging from this list the Onion has a very interesting demographic. Actually that is not true. The Dick Tracy graphic novel looks interesting.)

3) Toy fighter planes/tanks/destroyers. Not a joke, I find these gifts endlessly amusing. Variants that I've particularly enjoyed: picture of a friend on an anchor, blue angels mardi gras beads, cast iron MiG.

*I am in no way trying to cast aspersions on Michael's observance, or lack thereof of the holiday. He had just posted about donuts, and also I wanted to link to him.