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Emergency! Need Gift Idea for Unique...

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2004 Nov. - 2005 Jan.: Emergency! Need Gift Idea for Unique Situation! users admin

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Way2prissy
Member

07-21-2002

Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 4:38 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
My husband plays our city Santa Claus with the Fire Department and they visit a different area of our little town every night this week. Last night he came home absolutely heartbroken because of a visit with a 36 year old woman with Down Syndrome who still believes in Santa Claus.

She told him she always gets depressed during Christmas. He talked to her at length and said Christmas is a happy time and he wanted her to be happy. She said she couldn't be happy because everytime she looked in the mirror all she could see was that she was ugly. She told him she uses lotion on her face to make her look younger. He told her Santa thought she was pretty but he was absolutely crushed by the visit.

She lives with her caretaker and I was thinking I could get her a little gift from Santa and leave it on the front porch. I was thinking maybe a gift basket from Bath and Body Works with some pretty smelling lotion and maybe some lip gloss. Also I thought a holiday themed sweater or nightgown might cheer her up. Any ideas? I would appreciate any input!

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 4:56 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Before I finished reading your story, I was thinking a beauty basket would be a great idea!!!

Mizinvanccouver
Member

02-22-2003

Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 5:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Hmmmm I'm not sure about the whole 'Beauty' basket. It's like reinforcing she is not beautiful enough. I don't know...just my 2 cents.

I liked the idea of Holiday PJ's. Or giving her the movie Shrek...sends a good message??

Max
Member

08-12-2000

Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 5:09 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I think that is a nice idea. I wonder if she has a DVD player or VCR. I think a great movie about how inner beauty is much more important than exterior beauty is Shrek (the first one). It's entertaining as all heck, but the message it gets across is that it's what's inside that counts.

I think it's lovely of you and your DH to want to make this person's holiday as bright as you possibly can. :-)

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 5:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I didn't even think about it reinforcing her feelings, just that it was something kind of luxurious, but I see your points.
Maybe a 'night at the movies' basket with popcorn, gc for pizza delivery, blockbuster gc and a movie.

Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 5:21 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
A beauty basket would be a wonderful idea. Body lotion, hand lotions, lip glosses, maybe pretty eye shadows, etc. Maybe include some bath beads, loofa, body wash, and/or some candles. The whole spa routine would make her feel really good. Instead of a sweater a nice nightgown would make her feel pretty, nothing sexy, but maybe silky pajamas. Somthing that would feel good on. You are such wonderful people to do this for her. Bless you both, and merry christmas!

Mizinvanccouver
Member

02-22-2003

Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 5:24 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I think it's lovely of you to go out of your way to do something special for this special person Texannie.

You're a really kind and generous person!

Maybe write in the card from Santa,
"Here's a little something to remind you how your beauty on the inside radiates for all to see on the outside! Have a Merry Christmas-Love, Santa"

Just a thought...



Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 5:25 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I am not the most attractive thing in the world, and each year I recieve something along the lines "beauty baskets" and they don't reinforce my feeling of unprettiness at all. What girl doesn't like to do herself up once in a while.

Deesandy
Member

08-12-2003

Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 5:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Do you know of anyone who would take her out for a "date"?

I think that a letter from Santa would go a long way, writing of how beauty is not just what you see in the magazines, but rather how regular everyday people you see on the street are beautiful, and how people who are kind to others are the most beautiful of all!

Let me just say that you are beautiful for doing this!

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 5:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Not me. It's Way2Prissy and her wonderful dh that are the oustanding ones!!!!

Mizinvanccouver
Member

02-22-2003

Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 5:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Oops...sorry Way2prissy...I'm sure you knew I meant you!!! *hugs*

Way2prissy
Member

07-21-2002

Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 6:31 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thank you everyone. My husband is just a love, isn't he? He was literally in tears over this. He was also getting requests from some kids of soldiers to bring their dad's home too. So, so sad. I appreciate your ideas and will let you know which route we go!

Eeyoreslament
Member

07-20-2003

Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 7:23 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Way2prissy - I was thinking.....there are these jewellery shops in the malls nowadays that are directed more towards young grils/teens. Ton's of little trinkety things. The stuff is fairly cheap too. Maybe get her a little teenagers first makeup set, and some kind of cheap yet pretty jewellery set (like a bracelet/necklace combo). Then, when she's not feeling pretty, she can grab her little makeup kit and doll herself up, and put on her pretty bangles to cheer herself up.

I don't think giving someone beauty products makes them feel worse. The only thing I would feel bad about getting is a gym membership from my boyfriend. I think I could take THAT the wrong way.

But anyways, I think much the same way little girls feel putting on their mommy's makeup and jewellery, this girl could enjoy having some "pretty things" to put on.

I REALLY applaud your husband for taking the time to chat with this woman. You've got an amazing man with you Prissy.

Graceunderfyre
Member

01-21-2004

Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 10:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Hey keep in mind that the mentally disabled have all different "age levels" mentally even if they are physcially older.

My cousin will never leave 3rd or 4th grade. For her a beauty basket would not be appropriate - but a basket with shiny things like costume jewlery or nail polish would be great - the movie would be even better - she's not really into makeup and that kind of stuff but she knows she is way overweight and she knows that she looks funny (she's told me that in the past).

You may want to find out what kinds of things she's into - Santa may even have a good idea after talking to her for awhile. You never know - one of the Barbie movies may be more appropriate than Shrek. I feel like there is a Barbie movie about image - but I haven't had the need to watch any of them, so I'm not sure. A really good movie type thing I love for image are the 2 Dr. Suess stories Sneetches & Horton Hears a Who. I bought The Grinch on VHS with Horton at the end of it. . .