That sounds like such a cool book. Also,

If it makes you feel better, my French friend's husband always asks me to bring Big Red gum.

Hee. I love that the completely ordinary-to-the-person-who-lives-there item can be such a treasure to the person who doesn't, and can't otherwise acquire it.

A friend of mine in Austria, who'd been a nanny in the states, asked me to bring her Campbell's cream of mushroom soup so she could make tuna noodle casserol.

That mapbook sounds super cool!

When my friend E, who'd been my roommate in France, asked me what I wanted from Paris, it was Bonne Maman Reine Claude plum preserves. Nom. And when I was in Moldova, of course, I always wanted peanut butter.

When I lived in England, we had a friend bring over canned pumpkin, so that we could make pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving.

Anyone who ever goes to America brings me Kraft macaroni and cheese. I am truly blessed to have a Girl with a US passport.

Grrr. Having ordered part of my Secret Santa gift online, I've received an email telling m they won't take my Visa because it's not based in the US, or something. Then why did you have an international billing address section?!

In any case, apologies to my giftee, but a part of your present may be a bit delayed while I sort it out.

Do you think if I could get my husband to call Tom Scola he could Christmas shop for me? Because he is awesome at it, and my husband sucks. Tom, you could seriously make a mint as a personal shopper for husbands at Christmas.

Heh. I got exactly the same speech from my sister last year.

quester, your effort was fan-fucking-tastic! I got such a wonderful box of goodies today, I couldn't stop squeeing. It's the perfect compendium of useful and quirky stuff.

It started out when I opened the box and there was a card that said to read it first, which I did, being soooo law-abiding and respectful. It held wonderful wishes for the holidays, but best of all, it was written on a separate piece of paper, so the card is still usable! It's got a gorgeous winter scene photograph on the front and I will enjoy sending it to someone who will also appreciate it.

Then, I dug into the super good stuff. There was a Cheshire cat mug, where warm liquids make the ink fade and all that's left is the cat's grin. I can't wait to take that in to work and see all the looks it's going to get! It's a very timely gift as I've started drinking more tea at work and I don't like to use the same cup that I use for coffee, so now I'll have a dedicated cup. Absinthe lip balm, Zombie mints, Pirate band-aids, Bacon-scented air freshener--all the essentials that proclaim the owner is a Buffista. Then, there's a small bottle of hand lotion and a couple of hand-made soaps made with prairie botanicals that smell just so lovely and herbal. I'm taking the lotion to work, because it's non-greasy and I appreciate that so much when I'm on the computer all day. Plus, a navy blue fringed scarf which is around my neck right now keeping it warm in this damn chilly weather. And, last but not least, a $25 gift card for Barnes and Noble (which I prefer to Borders, so that is just awesome sauce on top of so much awesome cake!) I'm still grinning so hard, my cheeks hurt.

Thank you, quester!

ahhh it brings a smile to my face remembering my box of gifties from quester last year. Her secret santees are indeed a lucky bunch, she does fantastic boxes.