birthday present. Me and

My Birthday Present My Birthday Present At A Glance Author rebecca Contact rreilly12@hotmail.com When It just happened Artist andres Studio monster Location san pedro, costa rica My birthday was on April 12th, but I found that I couldn't celebrate it as I was at the time involved in "Hairspray", my high school's musical for the year. My schedule was very hectic and I found that I had forgotten my birthday, and so had my parents. And so time passed, I finished the musical, and I decided that I wanted to give myself a birthday present. Me and some other friends involved in Hairspray found ourselves with nothing to do seeing as all of our time had been spent rehearsing. Yesterday I went with my friend Erica to the mall, and we planned on seeing a movie. We looked at our options for a movie, but our options consisted of idiotic movies, such as Miss Congeniality 2 and Son of the Mask, so we wandered around the mall for a while, had a few cigarettes, and then wandered some more. We were completely bored by this time, but I had to be there until 10:30 to wait for my younger sister who was there with her friends. Suddenly, Erica mentioned the fact that she had always wanted a labret piercing, and I decided on the spot that we should go and get pierced right now, that very day and get back to the mall in time to pick up my sister. I immediately called a cab so that we couldn't back out of it. We waited for the cab and shared a cigarette to calm our nerves, as my hands were already shaking and she said that she had the butterflies. I could relate. We were sitting in the cab and I tried to decide which piercing I would get. I wanted to get a vertical labret, but I had promised another friend that we would do that together, so that was automatically out. My tragus? I had already done my inner conch, and I wasn't in the mood to take care of another thick cartilage piercing in my ear. My nipples are also on the waiting line, but I'm waiting for my best friend to come down so that he can be there. Then it struck me... I should get my nose pierced! My father would kill me. This was to be my first facial piercing and I didn't know how he would react. However, my mother would most likely scold me, but secretly like it. So I decided just to go for it. I was doing it for me. It was my birthday present to myself. We stepped into the mall and I took Erica to Monster, a small store which sells clothes as well as does piercings and tattoos. I always loved the vibe of the store. I walked up to Andres and greeted him. I told him that I would like my nose done and that Erica wanted her labret. Erica wanted to go first because she was afraid that if she saw me do it first, she would chicken out. I'm glad it turned out that way because labret piercings hurt much less than nose piercings, and I didn't want her to be afraid. This was her first major piercing. So I held her hand as he did her piercing. It was done very quickly, and I was up. I sat on a metal stool and waited for him to retrieve the sterilized jewelry. A new needle in a package was produced, as well as many other utensils, including a toothpick so he could mark me. When he did, he asked me to look in the mirror to check and see if I liked it. It looked a bit high up to me, but he was the professional so I just let it go. He took out the needle and I gripped Erica's hand. I closed my eyes, and I felt him place the needle on my nose and break the first layer of skin. "Take a deep breath, and exhale." I was sweating. It was hot in the store, but I knew that I was responsible. "Inhale, Exhale." I tightened my grasp on Erica's hand. "Now take a deep breath and hold it!" Oh no! Panic sets in. He shoved the needle through my nose and man, did it HURT! My eyes were watering and my nose was burning. Then the burning subsided and I opened my eyes. I saw that in the mirror there was a needle sticking out diagonally in my nose. It looked so incredible! But then came the part that I feared the most. I've read on BME that putting the jewelry in hurts the most. It was worse than I expected. I think that the jewelry hurt more than the actual piercing. I was on the second day of my period, so my nose wouldn't stop bleeding. Andres explained it, but I can't quite recall his reasoning. I was too happy to pay proper attention. So Erica and I paid and then went to take pictures of our fresh piercings. I'm looking forward to taking care of it and waiting for it to heal so that I can change the stud. I would have preferred a ring, but that would most definitely be out of the question, both at school and with my parents. Now that I look at it in the mirror, I wish that I had told him to move it a bit lower down, but everybody thinks that it looks good where it is. Disclaimer: The experience above was submitted by a BME reader and has not been edited. We can not guarantee that the experience is accurate, truthful, or contains valid or even safe advice. We strongly urge you to use BME and other resources to educate yourself so you can make safe informed decisions. Return to Nose / Nostril

gift ideas! Home Services

Gift Ideas - FindGift.com Personalize FindGift.com! -- Login | Sign Up | List of Services Gift Ideas Gift Registry Gift Shops Gift Bookmarks Home | Help keyword search Gift Giving Made Easy! A free service dedicated to helping you find creative gift ideas! Home Services Gift Ideas Gifts by Occasion Anniversary Baby Shower Baptism Bar Mitzvah Bat Mitzvah Birthday Breakup / Divorce Confirmation Family Reunion First Communion Graduation House Warming New Baby Promotion Retirement Wedding Who is the Gift for? Her Him Couple Baby Toddler Child Pre-Teen Teenager for a Pet Client Teacher Express Yourself Cheer Up Congratulations Crazy for You Get Well Girl Power Good Luck I Love You I Miss You I'm Sorry Let's Party Sympathy Thank You Thinking of You Gifts by Type Romantic Personalized Unique Sentimental Wacky Humorous Fashionable Cosmopolitan Spiritual Trendy Healthy Relaxing Inspirational Geeky Gifts by Category Gift Baskets Keepsakes Food Jewelry Regional Gifts Occupational Gifts Bridal Party Gift of the Month Animals Apparel Baby Gear Bath and Body Collectibles Collegiate Advanced Search Gift Finder Gift Wizard FindGift.com helps you find unique gift ideas and connects you to online stores where these gifts are sold. We search the web to bring you great gift ideas! Try our Gift Wizard our newest gift finding technology Gifts in the Spotlight Adventure Tree Fort Picnic Backpack for Two! This Month's Top 20 Gift Ideas... Magic 'I Love You' Bean When We First Met Personalized Book Personalized Name Meaning Certificate Framed Anniversary Print: What Happened When You Married Because Of You Keepsake Sculpture Love Poem for Him Personalized Birthday Chronicle Personalized Turning Old Birthday Wine Bottle Label Romantic Message In A Bottle Your Photo in Pop Art Style Kipling's Famous "If" Personalized Poem Over The Hill Survival Kit "Love Now and Forever" Ring Candlelit Evening Romantic Gift Basket Great Moments are Always Remembered... Poem for Parents When You Marry Humorous Towel Set Personalized Man of the Year Magazine Cover Label Happy Birthday Gift Box Soul Mate Glass Block Popular gift categories: Groomsmen , Bridesmaids , Jewelry Boxes , Parents of Couple , Gift of the Month Clubs , Baby Shower Supplies , Flower Girl , Martini Glasses , Best Man , Firefighter Themed Gifts , Fall Theme , Memory Boxes , Gift Baskets for Kids , Sports Gift Baskets , Bachelorette Party , Golf , Keepsake Picture Frames , Bar / Tavern Signs , Golf Head Covers , Wedding Favors , Children's Jewelry , Fishing , Maid of Honor , Doctor Themed Gifts , Gag Gifts , See all Bosses Day Oct 16, 2005 24 Shopping Days Left Bosses Day Gift Ideas Sweetest Day Oct 15 Halloween Oct 31 More Holidays Seasonal Gifts Wedding Gift Ideas Anniversary Gift Ideas Autumn Theme See this month's Top 20 Gift Ideas Gift Helpers » Anniversary Gifts » Flower Meanings » Monthly Flowers » Monthly Birthstones » Signs of the Zodiac » Additional Resources FindGift.com Newsletter Sign up to receive seasonal and unique gift ideas via email. Email Address Merchant Login | Add Your Products to FindGift.com | Press Room | FAQs | Contact FindGift.com Conditions of Use | Privacy Policy | Site Map © 1997-2005, Registry Online, Inc. FindGift.com and its logo are trademarks of Registry Online, Inc.

Great Gifts for Kiddos

Listmania! Great Gifts for Kiddos Your Store See All 31 Product Categories   Your Account | Cart | Wish List | Help Improve Your Recommendations | Your Amazon Home | Your Profile | Learn More Search Amazon.com Books Popular Music Music Downloads Classical Music DVD VHS Apparel Yellow Pages Restaurants Movie Showtimes Toys Baby Computers Video Games Electronics Camera & Photo Software Tools & Hardware Office Products Magazines Sports & Outdoors Outdoor Living Kitchen Jewelry & Watches Beauty Gourmet Food Beta Musical Instruments Health/Personal Care Travel Cell Phones & Service Outlet Auctions zShops Everything Else Scientific Supplies Medical Supplies Indust. Supplies Automotive Home Furnishings Lifestyle Pet Toys Arts & Hobbies Web Search Listmania! Great Gifts for Kiddos by peppermint-pattie , mom and child at heart E-mail this list to a friend 1. Sweet Streets School by Fisher-Price (Toy) Average Customer Review: Availability: This item is currently not available. Customers also shopped for these similar items . 2. Disney Princess Storybook by Fisher-Price (Toy) Average Customer Review: Availability: This item is currently not available. Customers also shopped for these similar items . 3. Mr. Potato Head Darth Tater by Hasbro (Toy) Offered by: Toys"R"Us Buy new : $8.99 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours peppermint-pattie's comments: Draw in whole new generation of Star Wars fans. 4. Dora the Explorer Gift Set: Dora's Casa Talking Doll House Furniture Set - Bedroom, Bathroom , Media Room, Living Room by Fisher-Price (Toy) Offered by: Toys"R"Us Buy new : $39.99 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 5. Bratz Collector's Edition - 4th of July by MGA Entertainment (Toy) Average Customer Review: Availability: This item is currently not available. Customers also shopped for these similar items . 6. Musini - MagicSensor by Neurosmith (Toy) Average Customer Review: Offered by: Imaginarium List Price: $39.99 Buy new : $19.97 You Save : $20.02 (50%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 7. Because of Winn-Dixie (Because of Winn-Dixie) by Kate DiCamillo (Paperback) Average Customer Review: List Price: $5.99 Buy new : $5.99 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Used & new from $1.60 peppermint-pattie's comments: Watching the movie has made my kids want to read the book. 8. A Treasure's Trove : A Fairy Tale about Real Treasure for Parents and Children of All Ages by Michael Stadther (Paperback) List Price: $19.95 Buy new : $13.57 You Save : $6.38(32%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Used & new from $9.60 9. 100 Puzzles, Clues, Maps, Tantalizing Tales, and Stories of Real Treasure by Michael Stadther (Paperback) List Price: $12.95 Buy new : $10.36 You Save : $2.59(20%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Used & new from $6.35 10. Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes (Illustrator) (Hardcover- March 2004) Average Customer Review: List Price: $15.99 Buy new : $10.87 You Save : $5.12(32%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Used & new from $6.90 11. The Fairy Chronicles Book One : Marigold and the Feather of Hope by J.H. Sweet (Paperback) List Price: $12.95 Buy new : $12.95 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Used & new from $11.64 peppermint-pattie's comments: I recommend you print some of the free eBooks of this series and put them in folders for your kids. My daughter rereads the ones I have printed for her. Anything to get them to read. 12. Ocean Wonders Aquarium (Toy) Average Customer Review: Availability: This item is currently not available. Customers also shopped for these similar items . peppermint-pattie's comments: Great baby shower gift. 13. Leapster Case by LeapFrog (Toy) Average Customer Review: Offered by: Imaginarium List Price: $19.99 Buy new : $17.99 You Save : $2.00 (10%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 14. LeapStart Learning Table by LeapFrog (Toy) Average Customer Review: Offered by: Imaginarium List Price: $44.99 Buy new : $39.99 You Save : $5.00 (11%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 15. Gymini Super Deluxe Light and Music by Tiny Love (Toy) Average Customer Review: Offered by: Imaginarium Buy new : $59.99 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 16. Aquadoodle by Spin Master (Toy) Average Customer Review: Offered by: Toys"R"Us List Price: $29.99 Buy new : $19.99 You Save : $10.00 (33%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 17. Lamaze: Multi-Sensory Clutch Cube by Learning Curve (Toy) Average Customer Review: Offered by: Imaginarium Buy new : $12.99 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 18. Fridge Phonics Magnetic Letter Set by LeapFrog (Toy) Average Customer Review: Offered by: Imaginarium Buy new : $19.99 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 19. Dora the Explorer: Dora's Talking Dollhouse with Lights, Sounds, Music and Diego, Boots & Swiper Figures - Exclusively at Toys"R"Us! by Fisher-Price (Toy) Offered by: Toys"R"Us List Price: $59.99 Buy new : $54.99 You Save : $5.00 ( 8%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours peppermint-pattie's comments: Dora is always wonderful. 20. My First Purse by I-Play Outdoors (Toy) Average Customer Review: Offered by: Imaginarium Buy new : $12.99 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 21. 20 Questions Handheld Game by Radica Games (Toy) Average Customer Review: Offered by: Toys"R"Us List Price: $13.99 Buy new : $10.99 You Save : $3.00 (21%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours 22. Lunar Lander Model (10029) by LEGO Systems, Inc (Toy) Availability: This item is currently not available. Customers also shopped for these similar items . 23. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (Illustrator) (Hardcover) Average Customer Review: List Price: $16.95 Buy new : $10.97 You Save : $5.98(35%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Used & new from $5.55 24. Guess How Much I Love You (Guess How Much I Love You) by Sam Mcbratney, Anita Jeram (Illustrator) (Board book) Average Customer Review: List Price: $6.99 Buy new : $6.99 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Used & new from $0.32 25. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens Workbook (The 7 Habits) by Sean Covey (Paperback- December 1999) Average Customer Review: List Price: $5.00 Buy new : $4.50 You Save : $0.50(10%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Used & new from $1.95 Create your own list! See the Best Lists Top 100 Listmania lists Search Listmania lists More about peppermint-pattie Related Listmania! Add your list great toys and gifts : A list by Amber, mother of two Please the Whole Crew : A list by eleanor-and-desiree, friends, aunts, fun people excellent toys : A list by Angela, mother Very Good Toys For Kids : A list by Brittany, student Add your list Related So You'd Like to... Create a guide have a happy baby : A guide by AVij, Baby Researcher The Wonders of Your Baby's Brain : A guide by AVij, Baby Researcher Support Baby Development : A guide by AVij, Baby Researcher Have a Genius Baby : A guide by AVij, Baby Researcher Develop Your Child's Self Confidence : A guide by AVij, Baby Researcher buy stimulating toys for baby : A guide by Stacy Harrington Collins, Hayden & Sage's mom, update 12/26/04 HAVE FOOD, FUN, AND FANTASY : A guide by Betty Dravis, author who's becoming a star! get ideas on what to buy a girl 1-3 yrs : A guide by M. 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Valentine Gift

Valentines Day Gifts making valentine gifts  You are here: About > Parenting & Family > Family Crafts > Holidays - Celebrations > Valentine s Day Projects > Valentine s Day Gifts Parenting & Family Family Crafts Essentials Table of Contents Halloween Thanksgiving Christmas Coloring Page Index Articles & Resources Craft Projects by Age Craft Projects by Theme Craft Projects by Type Crafting Tips Crafting for Charity Crafts Techniques 101 Holidays - Celebrations Homemade Gift Ideas Printables - Color Pages Products Recipes Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Decoupage Books Puppet Making Books Soap Making Books Product Reviews Articles Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Family Crafts newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Family Crafts Valentines Day Gifts Try these free Saint Valentine's Day holiday craft patterns and projects. Use many creative techniques and supplies to make a variety of Valentine's Day gifts for friends and family members. Articles & Resources Sort By : Guide Picks | Alphabetical | Recent Up a category Valentine's Day Gift Ideas Check out these great St. Valentine's Day gifts shared by visitors just like you! Unique, home-made gift ideas for mom, dad, boyfriends, girlfriends, teachers, freinds, anyone! Daily Love Albrightt shares some great suggestions for giving a daily gift of "love" to someone special. Heart Frames Craft From your About.com guide, make a fun heart shaped frame. Heart Necklace From your About.com guide, fun project made out of clay. Heart Pin From your About.com guide, fun jewelry made with a small wooden heart. 44 more Articles & Resources below Articles & Resources more from your guide Hugs Box Gift From your About.com guide, a cute gift idea anyone would love to get, and it's easy to make! Make a Mug Gel Candle These mug candles are made by using a simple candle making technique. They are a very versatile craft and can be changed easily by changing the type of mug and/or the color and scent of the candle. Paper Heart Pin Barb shares instructions for making a heart-shaped pin out of paper. A great gift for Mother's Day or any time! Shiny Picture in a Heart From your About.com guide, instructions to make a fancy framed craft using a cd. Valentine Heart Jar Make this fancy jar that would make a fun gift. Use it as a candy holder or a candle holder! Submitted by visitor 'heavenley treasures'. Valentine Vase and Bouquet From your About Guide, find out how Laura makes a cute vase using toilet tissue rolls! Valentine's Day Bead Patterns Themed list of free beaded safety pin patterns. Change of Heart Purse A beautiful bead covered purse - from Crafts Magazine. Keys to My Heart Rack This wooden key shelf would make a wonderful gift - from Crafts Magazine. Bear Candy Holder Fill our loveable bear's tummy with candy to give it to someone special. Great classroom project! Candy Airplane Assembling this valentine requires a little bit of tricky balancingbut once you catch on, these sweet crafts will be flying from your fingertips. Candy Heart Sachet Make special little candy-filled hearts for everyone you know. Candy Hearts Here's a fun way to give a candy-filled Valentine. Use different shapes for other occasions -- such as a star for a friend's birthday. Candy Holder Necklace This clever candy holder is made from a plastic beanie tag protector. Clear Valentine Heart with Candy Create a clear Valentine heart candy holder for Valentine's Day. This makes a nice Valentine's gift. Cupids Love Brew A great, edible gift using hot chocolate, red peppermint stick, Hershey kisses and an optional red napkin. Dandy Candy Hearts Decorate a styrofoam heart shape with wrapped candies! February Love Greeting Give your sweetheart a daily love message during the month of February with this easy project. Heart Book Pendant Very cute! Create a tiny book, where you can write a special message your Valentine can wear! Heart Box with Photo Fill with candy or a small treasure for someone you love. Heart Woodsies Picture Frame Make this frame using popsicle type sticks and a few other wooden shapes. Hearty Bouquet Offer a bouquet of heart-shaped pencils to someone you love. I Love You Pin Use sign language to say "I love you" with this craft foam pin. Impressed Heart A cute gift idea made using Paperclay. Lace Heart A neat decoration or gift made with lace and stiff wire. Love Bugs A fun Valentine's Day craft made from yarn! Love Potion Perfume Necklaces Little girls and even big girls will love to make and wear these necklaces all year round. Mosaic Heart Box Recycle a heart shaped candy box into a clever mosaic look with this free arts and crafts project. Perler Heart Necklaces Make a pretty heart necklace for all of your friends and family! Use one of the patterns provided here or design your own! Perler Heart-Shaped Boxes Make a heart-shaped box as a gift for someone special this Valentine's Day! Plant Pals A cute idea using popsicle sticks and small heart and cicle shaped pieces of wood. Satin Heart Box By looking at this picture, you would never guess this lovely box was made out of a cereal box! Skill Stick Valentine Box You can use this pretty box to hold your valentines or you can fill it with potpourri and give it as gift. Sweethearts Mini Valentine Frame This is a darling and fun little Valentines Day craft and its not just for kids. Tissue Paper Pins A different ideas using tissue paper and cookie cutters. Valentine Barrettes Decorate plain barrettes with ribbon and a few other supplies. Valentine Bouquet Make a bouquet of hearts using paper, pipe cleaners, and a section of a milk carton. Valentine Coupons A nice assortment of cute coupons to print out and give as gifts. great for kids! Valentine Fortune Cookie Pin Oh so cute! Make fortune cookie pins with a special message for Valentine's Day. Valentine Frame Preserve a memento of love forever with this etched frosted frame. Valentine Stocking Follows the same concept as a Christmas stocking! Valentine's Day Heart Boxes Suggestions for decorating small, heart-shaped boxes. Valentine's Day Pins Make fun jewelry using plaster of paris and candy molds. Valentine's Keepsake Make hand print gifts using clay, plaster, and a heart-shaped container.        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About Poll: What would you do with $10 million? 1) Spend it 4) Pay bills 2) Donate 5) Save 3) Invest 6) Not sure Is New York City Safe? Tips for Women Travelling What's Hot Film Containers and Pill Bottle Craft Projects - Trash to Tr... Celebrate the First Day of Autumn in September Special Days to Celebrate on September 20th Halloween Designs - Free Beaded Safety Pin Patterns Halloween Costume Ideas for Couples Headlines Celebrate the First Day of Autumn Celebrate the Autumnal Equinox on September 22 in 2005. Check... Halloween Costume Ideas for 2, 3, 4, or more? These ideas should help spark your creativity whether the Halloween... Empty Film Containers... Do you have ideas for crafts made from empty film... Free Halloween Bead Patterns Check out all these free Halloween related beaded safety pin...

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.