Christmas Gift

The Gift of the Magi THE GIFT OF THE MAGI by O. Henry One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all. Andsixty cents of it was in pennies. Pennies saved one and twoat a time by bulldozing the grocer and the vegetable man andthe butcher until one's cheeks burned with the silentimputation of parsimony that such close dealing implied. Three times Della counted it. One dollar and eighty- sevencents. And the next day would be Christmas. There was clearly nothing to do but flop down on theshabby little couch and howl. So Della did it. Whichinstigates the moral reflection that life is made up ofsobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating. While the mistress of the home is gradually subsidingfrom the first stage to the second, take a look at the home.A furnished flat at $8 per week. It did not exactly beggardescription, but it certainly had that word on the lookoutfor the mendicancy squad. In the vestibule below was a letter-box into which noletter would go, and an electric button from which no mortalfinger could coax a ring. Also appertaining thereunto was acard bearing the name "Mr. James Dillingham Young." The "Dillingham" had been flung to the breeze during aformer period of prosperity when its possessor was beingpaid $30 per week. Now, when the income was shrunk to $20,though, they were thinking seriously of contracting to amodest and unassuming D. But whenever Mr. James DillinghamYoung came home and reached his flat above he was called"Jim" and greatly hugged by Mrs. James Dillingham Young,already introduced to you as Della. Which is all very good. Della finished her cry and attended to her cheeks withthe powder rag. She stood by the window and looked out dullyat a gray cat walking a gray fence in a gray backyard.Tomorrow would be Christmas Day, and she had only $1.87 withwhich to buy Jim a present. She had been saving every pennyshe could for months, with this result. Twenty dollars aweek doesn't go far. Expenses had been greater than she hadcalculated. They always are. Only $1.87 to buy a present forJim. Her Jim. Many a happy hour she had spent planning forsomething nice for him. Something fine and rare andsterling--something just a little bit near to being worthyof the honor of being owned by Jim. There was a pier-glass between the windows of the room.Perhaps you have seen a pier-glass in an $8 flat. A very thin and very agile person may, by observing his reflection in arapid sequence of longitudinal strips, obtain a fairlyaccurate conception of his looks. Della, being slender, hadmastered the art. Suddenly she whirled from the window and stood beforethe glass. her eyes were shining brilliantly, but her facehad lost its color within twenty seconds. Rapidly she pulleddown her hair and let it fall to its full length. Now, there were two possessions of the James DillinghamYoungs in which they both took a mighty pride. One was Jim'sgold watch that had been his father's and his grandfather's.The other was Della's hair. Had the queen of Sheba lived inthe flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hairhang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been thejanitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement,Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed,just to see him pluck at his beard from envy. So now Della's beautiful hair fell about her ripplingand shining like a cascade of brown waters. It reached belowher knee and made itself almost a garment for her. And thenshe did it up again nervously and quickly. Once she falteredfor a minute and stood still while a tear or two splashed onthe worn red carpet. On went her old brown jacket; on went her old brownhat. With a whirl of skirts and with the brilliant sparklestill in her eyes, she fluttered out the door and down thestairs to the street. Where she stopped the sign read: "Mne. Sofronie. HairGoods of All Kinds." One flight up Della ran, and collectedherself, panting. Madame, large, too white, chilly, hardlylooked the "Sofronie." "Will you buy my hair?" asked Della. "I buy hair," said Madame. "Take yer hat off and let'shave a sight at the looks of it." Down rippled the brown cascade. "Twenty dollars," said Madame, lifting the mass with apractised hand. "Give it to me quick," said Della. Oh, and the next two hours tripped by on rosy wings.Forget the hashed metaphor. She was ransacking the storesfor Jim's present. She found it at last. It surely had been made for Jimand no one else. There was no other like it in any of thestores, and she had turned all of them inside out. It was aplatinum fob chain simple and chaste in design, properlyproclaiming its value by substance alone and not by meretriciousornamentation--as all good things should do. Itwas even worthy of The Watch. As soon as she saw it she knewthat it must be Jim's. It was like him. Quietness andvalue--the description applied to both. Twenty-one dollarsthey took from her for it, and she hurried home with the 87cents. With that chain on his watch Jim might be properlyanxious about the time in any company. Grand as the watchwas, he sometimes looked at it on the sly on account of theold leather strap that he used in place of a chain. When Della reached home her intoxication gave way alittle to prudence and reason. She got out her curling ironsand lighted the gas and went to work repairing the ravagesmade by generosity added to love. Which is always atremendous task, dear friends--a mammoth task. Within forty minutes her head was covered with tiny,close-lying curls that made her look wonderfully like a truantschoolboy. She looked at her reflection in the mirrorlong, carefully, and critically. "If Jim doesn't kill me," she said to herself, "beforehe takes a second look at me, he'll say I look like a ConeyIsland chorus girl. But what could I do--oh! what could Ido with a dollar and eighty- seven cents?" At 7 o'clock the coffee was made and the frying-pan wason the back of the stove hot and ready to cook the chops. Jim was never late. Della doubled the fob chain in herhand and sat on the corner of the table near the door thathe always entered. Then she heard his step on the stair away down on the first flight, and sheturned white for just a moment. She had a habit for sayinglittle silent prayer about the simplest everyday things, andnow she whispered: "Please God, make him think I am stillpretty." The door opened and Jim stepped in and closed it. Helooked thin and very serious. Poor fellow, he was onlytwenty-two--and to be burdened with a family! He needed anew overcoat and he was without gloves. Jim stopped inside the door, as immovable as a setterat the scent of quail. His eyes were fixed upon Della, andthere was an expression in them that she could not read, andit terrified her. It was not anger, nor surprise, nordisapproval, nor horror, nor any of the sentiments that shehad been prepared for. He simply stared at her fixedly withthat peculiar expression on his face. Della wriggled off the table and went for him. "Jim, darling," she cried, "don't look at me that way.I had my hair cut off and sold because I couldn't have livedthrough Christmas without giving you a present. It'll growout again--you won't mind, will you? I just had to do it. Myhair grows awfully fast. Say `Merry Christmas!' Jim, andlet's be happy. You don't know what a nice-- what abeautiful, nice gift I've got for you." "You've cut off your hair?" asked Jim, laboriously, asif he had not arrived at that patent fact yet even after thehardest mental labor. "Cut it off and sold it," said Della. "Don't you likeme just as well, anyhow? I'm me without my hair, ain't I?" Jim looked about the room curiously. "You say your hair is gone?" he said, with an airalmost of idiocy. "You needn't look for it," said Della. "It's sold, Itell you--sold and gone, too. It's Christmas Eve, boy. Begood to me, for it went for you. Maybe the hairs of my headwere numbered," she went on with sudden serious sweetness,"but nobody could ever count my love for you. Shall I putthe chops on, Jim?" Out of his trance Jim seemed quickly to wake. Heenfolded his Della. For ten seconds let us regard withdiscreet scrutiny some inconsequential object in the otherdirection. Eight dollars a week or a million a year--what isthe difference? A mathematician or a wit would give you thewrong answer. The magi brought valuable gifts, but that wasnot among them. This dark assertion will be illuminatedlater on. Jim drew a package from his overcoat pocket and threwit upon the table. "Don't make any mistake, Dell," he said, "about me. Idon't think there's anything in the way of a haircut or ashave or a shampoo that could make me like my girl any less.But if you'll unwrap that package you may see why you had megoing a while at first." White fingers and nimble tore at the string and paper.And then an ecstatic scream of joy; and then, alas! a quickfeminine change to hysterical tears and wails, necessitatingthe immediate employment of all the comforting powers of thelord of the flat. For there lay The Combs--the set of combs, side andback, that Della had worshipped long in a Broadway window.Beautiful combs, pure tortoise shell, with jewelledrims--just the shade to wear in the beautiful vanished hair.They were expensive combs, she knew, and her heart hadsimply craved and yearned over them without the least hopeof possession. And now, they were hers, but the tresses thatshould have adorned the coveted adornments were gone. But she hugged them to her bosom, and at length she wasable to look up with dim eyes and a smile and say: "My hairgrows so fast, Jim!" And them Della leaped up like a little singed cat andcried, "Oh, oh!" Jim had not yet seen his beautiful present. She held itout to him eagerly upon her open palm. The dull preciousmetal seemed to flash with a reflection of her bright andardent spirit. "Isn't it a dandy, Jim? I hunted all over town to findit. You'll have to look at the time a hundred times a daynow. Give me your watch. I want to see how it looks on it." Instead of obeying, Jim tumbled down on the couch andput his hands under the back of his head and smiled. "Dell," said he, "let's put our Christmas presents awayand keep 'em a while. They're too nice to use just atpresent. I sold the watch to get the money to buy yourcombs. And now suppose you put the chops on." The magi, as you know, were wise men--wonderfully wisemen--who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. Theyinvented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise,their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing theprivilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here Ihave lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of twofoolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed foreach other the greatest treasures of their house. But in alast word to the wise of these days let it be said that ofall who give gifts these two were the wisest. O all who giveand receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere theyare wisest. They are the magi. Return to Christmas Poems and Stories Hypertext format ©1996 Rosemary (Rosie) Winters rosiec@night.net . All rights reserved.

Gifts For Men Articles

Valentines Day Gifts For Men - Gifts BW gifts | gifts Resources | Add URL Wine Gifts & Baskets From the casual wine drinker to the serious enthusiast, we have a gift that will make them smile. Our selection includes premium wine, gourmet baskets, distinctive champagne sets & the very finest California and Northwest wines. Valentines Day Gifts For Men Articles Valentine's Day Gifts for Him Great ideas for gifts for men on Valentine's Day....( Continue Reading ) Valentine's Day Gifts for Him Great ideas for gifts for men on Valentine's Day....( Continue Reading ) Valentine's Day Gifts for Him Great ideas for gifts for men on Valentine's Day....( Continue Reading ) Top Eleven Valentine's Day Gifts A quick list of valentine's gifts... in no particular order of popularity... for both men and women....( Continue Reading ) Valentines Day Perfume Gifts - Perfume for Valentines Day Perfume to give for Valentines Day....( Continue Reading ) Valentines Day Gifts For Men Directory Links corporate business gifts wholesale religious gifts paper anniversary gifts online valentine gifts gifts 50th birthday new york gifts spiritual gifts discovery tool gifts for my boyfriend dragon ball z animated gifts gifts for christmas graduation gifts for guys religious gifts graduation gifts male bushel baskets best guy gifts organic baby gifts simple gifts tab ideas for birthday gifts free valentines gifts how to make christmas gifts adult gift baskets xmas gifts ideas for valentine gifts second anniversary gifts birthday gifts by mail belated birthday gifts garden gifts butterfly gifts gifts flowers wine country gift baskets toys and gifts creative irish gifts dog lover gifts gags and gifts gifts for toddlers personalized gifts promotional gifts pa gift baskets one year wedding anniversary gifts perfect wedding gifts send gifts to dubai christmas gifts for mother gift baskets fruit light house gifts good anniversary gifts Popular Search Terms: Gifts BW © 2004 Gifts BW All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All Rights Reserved. This site is not related to Brajeshwar or Brajeshwar.com in anyway, shape or form

Teacher Gifts - Teddy

Teacher Gifts, Teacher Appreciation Gift, Thank a Teacher Gift, Teacher Appreciation Gifts, Teacher Gift Ideas, Teacher Pet Plush Huggables Bed Time Buddies Bears with Blankies Canine Chums Feline Friends Animal Madness Back Packer Zoo Pet Pals Outfits Accessories World Wide Shipping Click for Details Free Shipping for Purchases over $40.00 and for Military Orders 1-Great Gifts 10-Animals 11-Outfits 12-Romantic 13-Cat Gifts 14-Valentines 15-Chinese 2-Pet Lovers 3-For Mom 3-Occasions 4-Easter 5-St Patrick 6-Wild Ones 7- Halloween 8-Baby Gifts 9-Birthdays Support Center Affiliate Opportunities Contact Us ..... Link to Us Gift Occasions: - Baby Shower Gifts - Birthday Gift Ideas - Easter Gifts - Family Gifts - Fathers Day Gifts - Gag Gifts - Get Well Gifts - Graduation Gifts - Holiday Gifts - Long Distance Gifts - Mothers Day Gifts - Pet Gifts - Romantic Gifts - St Patricks Day Gifts - Teacher Gifts - Teddy Bear Gifts - Thank You Gifts - Valentines Day Gifts - Stuffed Animal Gifts Teddy Bear, Birthday, Get Well, Mothers Day Gifts Mom, Valentines Gift Ideas Free Ecards -- Teacher Gifts, Teacher Pet, Thank a Teacher Gift, Teacher Appreciation Gifts, Teacher Gift Ideas and more Shmooz 6" Cow Regular Price: $19.95 Sale Price: $15.95 Graduate Owl 13" Regular Price: $47.95 Sale Price: $42.95 Knowly 6" Regular Price: $19.95 Sale Price: $15.95 Springtime 16" Bear Regular Price: $47.95 Sale Price: $42.95 Faith 9 " Lab Regular Price: $23.95 Sale Price: $19.95 Buttercup 11" Bear Regular Price: $27.95 Sale Price: $22.95 Puffer 6" Regular Price: $19.95 Sale Price: $15.95 Patriot Bear 16" Regular Price: $47.95 Sale Price: $42.95 Personalized Teacher Gift Ideas Surprise your favorite teacher by sending your personal voice recording of your well wishes inside an adorable stuffed animal for a truely unique gift. Imagine your teachers surprise when they squeeze your huggable gift and hear the "Sound of Your Voice". 150 different Stuffed Animals and Costumes We have more than150 different adorable stuffed animals to select from. Select from 16" teddy bears with outfits to 5" animals. Choose from 19 different costumes that can be added to each of our 11" and 16" bears to create a special gift for any occasion. We also have re-recordable gifts for your pets. Recording your Thank You Greeting Each of our huggable animals gift includes a 10-Second Re-Recordable Sound Unit . If you are sending your huggable teacher gift directly to someone, add a voice recording. We will send you an 800 number to call so you can record your message. If you plan to ship the gift to yourself, then it's not necessary to order a recording. You can record and re-record your message as many times as you like. Thank a Teacher and Send a Bear Our Teddy Bears and other Stuffed Animals are designed and sized for huggability. As thoughtful as flowers, but more durable, a Teddy Bear Gift with a personalized Gift Card will express your feelings to a loved one in a very special way. We will place your voice recording inside your cuddly messenger, add a hand written card and wrap your gift in a very attractive package with instructions to the recipient to Squeeze Me, I have a Special Message just for you . Hear what our Customers are saying... I ordered the "that'll do pig" for my friend for her birthday. I recorded a little song for her over the 1-800 number and had it delivered to her office. She told me that she was having the worst day, and then the pig arrived and she was really happy! She played it for everyone in the office and called me the minute she got off of work to tell me that it was the best gift she had ever received. Unfortunately I can't see the stuffed animal since we are 1200 miles apart, but it really made her day and therefore you guys made my day. Good Job! Our Mission | Business Opportunity | Contact Us | Link to Us | Links | Free Greeting Cards | Site Map "The Internet's Best Recordable Talking Plush Stuffed Animal Gift Site" Unique Personalized Teddy Bear Gifts and Gift Ideas for Mom, Mother, Dad and Grandmother. Teddy Bears are perfect as Birthday Gifts, Get Well Gifts, Mothers Day Gifts and Romantic Valentines Day Gifts & Gift Ideas . Every Recordable Stuffed Animal gift includes a free personalized card and gift wrapping. It's a worderful personalized gift idea and a creative alternative to sending flowers! Try our Free Greeting Cards and read our Free Stories . We also have Gift Certificates . © 2001-2003, ConnectionChannel.com. All rights reserved. Teddy Bear Gifts White Teddy Bear -with Valentine Day Red Vest -with Easter Vest -with St Patricks Day Vest -with Red Vest and Flag Patriot -with Surgeon Mask and Gown Brown Teddy Bear -with Valentines Day Red Vest -with Fisherman Outfit -with Golfer Outfit -with Halloween Outfit -with Nurse Outfit -with Christmas Outfit Pink Teddy Bear Yellow Birthday Teddy Bear Personalized Baby Gifts Teddy Bear Gift Idea Bear Cub & Pajamas Puppy & Pajamas Kitten & Pajamas Stuffed Baby Bear Cub - Volume 1 Stuffed Baby Bear Cub - Volume 2 Stuffed Baby Bear Cub - Volume 3 Birthday Teddy Bear Gifts Mothers Day Gifts & Gift Ideas Valentines Day Gifts & Gift Ideas Stuffed Pink Cotton Candy Bears Stuffed Valentine Bears Stuffed Yellow Lemon Drop Bears Stuffed Blue Sapphire Bears Free Greeting Cards Free Birthday Cards Free Christmas Cards Free Fathers Day Cards Free Get Well Cards Free Love Cards Free Mothers Day Cards Free Thank You Cards Free Valentine's Day Cards Helping People Connect Free Teen & Yahoo Personals Online Chat Gay Dating, Gay Personals & Gay Chat Yahoo Personals Yahoo Astrology Free Daily Online Horoscope Online Dating Service Free Astrology Signs and Charts Online Dating Service Teen, Adult Senior & Latin Online Chat Rooms Free Online Dating Personals & Chat Moving Company Quote Teddy Bear Gift Outfits Fisherman Gift Bear Halloween Gift Bear Biker Gift Bear Cantor Gift Bear Nurse Gift Bear Golfer Gift Bear Graduation Gift Bear Christmas Gift Bear St Patrick's Day Gift Bear Valentines Day Gift Bear Easter and Spring Time Doctor Gift Bear USA Sweater Patriotic Outfit and Flag Featured Customer Stories Gifts for Baby's Gifts for Children Gifts for Father & Dads Friendship Gifts Get Well Gifts Gifts for Grandchildren Love Poem Quote Happy Birthday Greeting Military Gifts Gifts for Mother & Moms Gifts for Pets Sympathy Gifts Personalized Gift Ideas Adoption Gift Ideas Anniversary Gifts Baby Shower Gift Ideas Baby Gift Baskets Birthday Teddy Bear Gifts Birthday Gifts & Gift Ideas Birthday Gifts for Moms Cat Lover Gifts Childrens Gifts Christmas Gift Ideas Corporate Gifts Dog Lover Gifts Easter Gifts Family Gift Ideas Fathers Day Gift Idea Friendship Gifts Get Well Gifts Graduation Gift Idea Gifts for Mom Holiday Gift Ideas Mothers Day Gifts New Baby Gifts Military Gifts Missing You I Love You Personalized Gift Ideas Personalized Teddy Bears Personalized Valentine's Gift Ideas Pet Gifts Plush Animal Gift Ideas Romantic Gift Ideas Romantic Birthday Gift Ideas Gifts for Her Teacher Appreciation Thank You Gifts Teddy Bear Gifts Unique Gift Ideas Unique Baby Gifts Unique Birthday Gifts Valentines Day Gift Ideas Stuffed Animal Gifts Wedding Favors Animals on Key Chains Frog Duck Lamb Lady Bug Butterfly Skunk Raccoon Golden Eagle Polar Bear Panda Bear Brown Bear Koala Bear Monkey Zebra Lion Tiger Leopard White Tiger Black Cat Dalmation Rottweiler Bull Dog St Bernard Grey Wolf Cow Pig Moose Bunny Black Bear White Buffalo Buffalo Poodle Wolf Cat Bull Dog Pug Black Labradore Golden Labradore Owl Seal Black Panther Mustang Cardinal Mouse Blue Eagle Orca Whale Sea Lion Plush Stuffed Animals Black & White Lamb Blue Lamb White Lamb & St Patrick Vest Bison Buffalo Plush Moose Golden Otter Gray Wolf Plush Animals Plush Pink Bunny Pink Pig Panda Bear Polar Bear White Owl Owl & Red Vest Owl & Graduation Gown Valentine Bear Yellow Duck Dog Lover Gifts Shar Pei German Shepard St Bernard Shaggy Dog Boxer Collie Jack Russel Scnhauzer Basset Hound Pug Boston Terrier Black Lab Yellow Lab Dalmation Black Poodle White Poodle Bull Dog Cat Lover Gifts Maine Coon Yellow Tabby Tonkinese Abyssinian Scottish Fold Siamese Black Short Hair White Short Hair Pet Lover Gifts Dog Toys Dog Gifts Stuffed Dogs Puppy Toys Cat Toys Cat Gifts Affiliate Business Opportunity Drop Ship Wholesale Stuffed Animals on Hearts Lobster Moose Puffin Black Bear Rabbit Bunny Duck Pig Piglet Polar Bear Cow Bull Lamb Free Greeting Cards Free Birthday Cards Free Christmas Cards Free Fathers Day Cards Free Get Well Cards Free Love Cards Free Mothers Day Cards Free Thank You Cards Free Valentine's Day Cards Last Updated: 05-12-04 Helping People Connect Providing Links to some of the Best Sites by Category Free Daily Horoscopes - Psychic Tarot Readings - Online Love, Chinese, Zodiac Signs Charts & Yahoo Astrology Reviews Online Dating - Free Chat Rooms & Dating Services - Yahoo Personals - Christian, Singles, Teen, Latin, Adult, Seniors & Gay Web Site Reviews

Golf Gift Certificates available

LastMinuteGolfer - Father's Day Golf Gift Certificates TOUR TUESDAYS Schedule/ Details VIP MEMBERSHIPS Now Available TELL A FRIEND Win Masters Badges LASTMINUTEGOLFER SPONSORSHIPS Now Available FATHER'S DAY GOLF GIVEAWAY Share Your Favorite "Dad Golfing" Story and Picture Our Favorite Submission Will Win 5,000 Frequent Golfer Yards ! Favorite Submission Winners! Um, Dad... You Mean He's Not a Real Tiger?? Dad on Ice Teachers of the Game Growing Up a Golfer We are proud to present the favorite submission winners of our first annual Father's Day Golf Giveaway . Thank you to everyone that submitted their "Dad Golfing" stories. We hope you enjoy these as much as we did. -Rick Hargett LastMinuteGolfer.com It's Never Too Late to Reward DAD! We have Golf Gift Certificates available in many of our markets. Please click on your city below to buy Dad golf this year and save up to 25%! ATLANTA CHARLOTTE DETROIT JACKSONVILLE RALEIGH SEATTLE Last Minute? Our Golf Gift Certificates can be printed or sent via email !! DADS - Be sure and drop the hint that a golf gift certificate would make the perfect gift. DAD GOLFING STORIES - PAGE 1 Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 A Young Golfers' Prayer When I took my 4 year old grandson on his first golf outing, we had a grand time playing his ball beside mine after we each hit. We practiced on the putting green (the little course) and rode the cart on the big course. That evening when I put him down to bed and had him say his prayers the normal prayer was modified somewhat to include the day's activities. Here is the modified prayer. Now I lay me down to sleep I pray the Lord my soul to keep, the golf ball on the tee. Thy love be with me through the night And keep me safe till mornings light to ride the cart. Larry Kappel Grandfather of Micah Kappel (now 5+) LMG Comment: I'm sure many of us have said our own little prayer on the course! Teachers of the Game Favorite Submission Winner - 1,000 Frequent Golfer Yards ! I don't have a favorite story, just a favorite experience with those that led me to this game and the lessons it teaches to all those that take it seriously. Two photos of the men that introduced me to golf are attached - they are George R. Tolar, my father, and George H. Tolar, my grandfather. Like so many fathers have done, my Dad had his old clubs cut down for my first set of "sticks" as he often calls them. I was around 11 years old. However, my father was not the teacher my grandfather was back then, so it was my grandfather that taught me the game during countless rounds on a short cut cow pasture called Red Oak Country Club in Red Oak, Texas. Twenty five years have passed since I took up the game, and I often wish I was a better golfer - or at least as good as my grandfather tried to teach me to be. But he was there to experience my first par, my first birdie, and my first sub-90 round. In turn, I received a lifetime of memories, timeless lessons, and experiences that will always be treasured. I can't stand over a putt without conjuring up that simple statement uttered by my grandfather so many times, "You can't make it if you don't get it there." They don't roll short very often because of that phrase echoing in my head. I snapped these photos in 2001 on the 17th hole of that old cow pasture course in Texas. My father is now 63 and my grandfather 87 - I knew this outing of just the three of us was something special. In fact it was, as the failing health of my grandfather has kept him off the course for quite some time. This was the last time we played the game together. Without their support, instruction, and time, I would not have such an appreciation for the game or the memories I carry with me every time I get my "sticks" and head out for the course. They are great fathers, teachers and friends. Bryan Tolar Douglasville, GA Father Figure I'm not sure if this will count as a true "Dad Golfing" story, but the person who truly introduced me to the game I have grown to love and could not live without was my "father figure" growing up. Because of a somewhat complicated family situation, I grew up with an absent father figure at home. My Uncle Tom gave me my first set of clubs. They were a set of Wilson clubs that his father had passed down to him. After about a month with my new clubs and some plastic practice balls, my Uncle Tom took me golfing at Pine Valley Golf Course. This was a 9 hole course in central Wisconsin with lots of pine trees. You didn't make tee times, you just showed up and put your ball in the rack. I remember using an orange ball, so it would be easier to see when our turn was up. I had really never taken a full swing with a real golf ball until I stepped up to that first tee. I didn't know much about golf etiquette and I was so new to the game that I wasn't even nervous off the first tee. I think I might have actually swung and missed on my first attempt, but I'll never forget the feeling I had of hitting my first golf ball off the first tee at Pine Valley. I was hooked! That day was a long one for me and probably even longer for my Uncle. I must have easily lost a dozen golf balls. My Uncle currently is about a 5 handicapper and probably was a 9 when he played with me that day. I can truly appreciate what he did for me now more than ever as I have taken my 12 year old son out to the course with me from time to time. He never harped on me or told me what I was doing wrong. He just let me play and offered encouraging words when I needed them most. I'm a 14 handicapper now and long for the day I break 80. I owe it all to my Uncle Tom who played Dad to me from time to time and gave me a gift that has lasted a lifetime. Pictured from left to right: My cousin Bill, my brother-in-law Randy, Uncle Tom, and me (Matt Vangalis), on a brisk Tallahassee morning of the Seminole Golf Course. Matt Vangalis Atlanta LastMinuteGolfer Member Dad on Ice Favorite Submission Winner - 1,000 Frequent Golfer Yards ! I did not have a camera, but wish I did. It was early in the year and my Dad, brother and myself went to do 18 at Pebble Creek on 10 mile in South Lyon. If I remember the holes, it was the third hole is a par 3, with a fence on the left and a walkway on the right. There is water all in front of the tee box to the green. Close to the green and on the left side of the water, still had ice in the water. Well dad hits his first shot about 10-15 yards short of the green. And it lands on the ice, so naturally he hits a mulligan, to about the same spot. As we start walking up the path my brother and I notice dad going down the left side. As we approach the green, we look back and there is dad on the ice practicing hitting ball off the ice. He says well how do I know what its like hitting off ice if I don't practice first. First he picks up a few balls that some people were smart enough not to go get on the ice. Then he hits a few and then steps up to his ball. Before his club even hit the ice, down through he went. He throws his hands out and his club. Kicks his feet up onto the ice and rolls on the ice a few feet, then gets up. First we ask if he is ok, once he says yes, my brother and I start laughing so hard. Then there is two guys waiting to tee off in the box and they shout "if you are going swimming mind if we play through", that just starts the laughing all over again. Well we just pick up our balls and move on to the next hole. Dad sits down and empties the water out of his shoes and rings his socks. We ask if he wants to call it a day? And he says no he'll dry. So the next few holes he squished along and we all finished our 18. It was a classic day. Now we usually ask if we need to bring him a floatation device when we go golfing. Scott Burek Detroit LastMinuteGolfer Member My dads name is Rick Burek Stories Continued on Page 2 2005 Last Minute Tee Times, Inc. All Rights Reserved -- Legal --

creative gifts to make

FamilyFun: Ask Ann: Creative Father's Day Gifts Browse site by Classic Themes Barnyard Pals Cars and Trucks Fairy-Tale Princesses Pirates Under the Sea Search FamilyFun Tools Craft Finder Game Finder Party Planner Crafts Newsletter Free! Sign Up Now Checklists Art Supplies Craft Supplies Arts & Crafts Expert Quicklink to Holidays Solutions A to Z Thousands of family ideas & activities Creative Father's Day Gifts My kids are looking for some creative gifts to make for their dad forFather's Day. Any fun and easy ideas? A "World's Greatest Dad" T-shirt may be nice, but if your kids reallywant a gift that will warm Dad's heart, homemade is the way togo. One of my favorites is a simple memory card for his wallet. Just cuta credit-card-sized rectangle out of poster board, then have your kidsdecorate both sides with messages, stickers, drawings and glued-onphotographs. To make the card sturdier, cover it on both sides withclear Con-Tact paper or run it through the laminator at your local copyshop (about $2). Dad can keep the card in his wallet and take it withhim wherever he goes--a sweet reminder of who loves him best. Another fun gift is a reward jar. Kids can brainstorm a bunch of specialtreats Dad might like--from the practical ("I promise to help you rakethe leaves") to the sweet ("Redeemable for one big bedtime hug") to thecreative ("I'll read you a story at bedtime"). Write the rewards oncolored strips of paper, then slip them into a glass jar that the kidscan decorate with stickers or paint. If you're looking for card ideas, try making a photo house card or a collage card , both of which showcase some of Pop's favorite things. Anddon't forget to finish off the day with something truly sweet: adelicious Father's Day cake , decorated by your kids. Back to Top Ann Hallock is the editor of FAMILYFUN, a magazine for parents of kids ages three to 12 that reaches 1.3 million readers monthly. She also contributed to the books FAMILYFUN CRAFTS, FAMILYFUN'S PARTIES and DISNEY'S FAMILY COOKBOOK, and appears regularly on television, including the PBS series, "Hands on Crafts for Kids." -- More Topics ALSO FEATURED Tips for a Clean Craft Area Sick At Home Activities Hammering without Splitting Best Glue For Glass Best Papier-Mache Recipe