Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Wishlist Wednesday

Let me start by introducing the series. Since it is officially the Christmas season I am dedicating a few posts to the holiday. A series of which will be wishlist wednesday. Don't get me wrong - I already have the greatest gift anyone could ask for and I am so excited for his first Christmas.

A total of 14 (now 15 {with my son} and sometimes 16) of my family members normally get together for the holidays. We eat, we laugh, we reminisce, and we play games. In the past we would all exchange gifts with each other on Christmas. However, a few years ago my family decided that we would no longer buy gifts for everyONE. Not only was this an economical decision but it was becoming increasingly hard to buy original gifts for everyone. So on thanksgiving we put all of our names on the Turkey platter and then draw. Somehow a hat eluded us and this was after we ate and cleaned it. We set a budget of $60 and give our top 3 wishes.

I have found that over the years we have gotten creative and some people will buy gifts for everyone! I don't know why but putting a limit on everyone has forced us to get creative and thrifty. For example, my unmarried Aunt always talks about how she wants a man- so the year my mom pulled her name she went the toy store and got her a GI Joe figurine... and there you have it folks- she got a man! It was absolutely hilarious! My mom also got her a 'real' gift in addition to that but we all wait in anticipation on see who it going to be the most clever.

This year I want a new camera.

I know this is way (waaay) over budget but a girl can dream... can't she? I mean I have a pretty good point and shoot camera and don't really NEED much more. But I also feel like I want to take the best pictures possible of this little guy: I kind of want aDo-SLR. I feel like I could take better quality pictures with this type of camera. I could be wrong, but I'd like to try.

With that I also want to learn how to edit pictures beyond the basics. I have already learned a few good tips and free editing websites from some other bloggers but I'd like to take my editing to a whole 'nother level. In fact, for the new year (and for my son) I would like to do the 365 day photo challenge. I've seen quite a few other bloggers do this and with some awesome variations ( see this mom's 365 love letters to her daughter). I would have to do my own variation of this and probably 52 love letters. You all know I don't like setting myself up for disappointment and surely if I try to take a picture once a day- I would. So I could do once a week and then put them into a book for him. I like the love letters take on it because it makes the pictures that much more meaningful.

But instead I'll compromise with a tri-pod. I think this would help with some of my picture taking endeavors and costs a boatload less than the former.



So whoever has my name... hint, hint!



5 comments:

  1. i want a good camera too but i know they are so expensive so i don't think i will be getting a DSLR. if i get a better camera then the one i have now i'll take it! :)

    i've always wanted to do one of those challenges but i just don't think i would be able to keep up and then i'd fail ... so i have not done it. if i had a gorgeous baby to take pictures of, that might be motivation in itself :)

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  2. i want a good camera too but i know they are so expensive so i don't think i will be getting a DSLR. if i get a better camera then the one i have now i'll take it! :)

    i've always wanted to do one of those challenges but i just don't think i would be able to keep up and then i'd fail ... so i have not done it. if i had a gorgeous baby to take pictures of, that might be motivation in itself :)

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  3. Girl, we gave up the "everybody" gift giving before I was born I think! lol. Like you said, some still do everybody though. I guess the "unwritten" rule is that we try to buy for all of the kids, problem is that the adults never stop seeing us as kids so even the cousins that have 3-4 kids of their own still get gifts. SMH!!!

    I completely understand your desire for a better camera. Does that one do video too? I've become obsessed with taking video (ever since YT). I recorded my youth choir w/Damon accompanying them at home!

    I love the idea of the 52 week challenge...and I totally "get" the editing thing. It makes the photos (and videos) seem so much more special!

    Ok ok, I know this is long - but this year I made whipped shea butter for all the women and bought these very inexpensive cosmetic jars online to store it in and made my own special label. Cheapest gift EVER! We'll see how it goes over...lol!

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  4. I just got a D-SLR for my birthday and I love it but I have soo much to learn. As much as it costs, my husband has told me that he expects Pulitzer prize winning photos out of me! LOL! I think he was kidding?

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  5. I like the story of your mom and aunty's fun gift.

    I wanted that camera or the Canon, but in the end I had to compromise and get an Olympus but it does the work.

    hope you get it for Xmas :).

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