We've talked about what we GOT this Christmas, but...

[alabamagroomer]

what is the best gift you GAVE this year?????

I'll start! I have a client that is in Iraq for 6 months and I am keeping her chihuahua. On Christmas Eve, I took pictures of Andre playing with a stuffed animal "Santa" broght him, I took pics of him playing with my dogs, and sitting on my Giant Schnauzer's bed watching him sleep on the floor (Andre is 6lbs, my giant is 103lbs) I e-mailed not only the pictures but a lengthy note from Andre about what all is going on in his life. I sent it to her Christmas Eve. The response I got from her reminded my what Christmas is all about. She responded to Andre (with a PS for me) and it was beautiful! Of all the gifts we saw exchanged, I am so grateful that we were able to touch Andre's mom so much!!!

How about you guys? WHat is the best gift you gave - what is the 1 gift that made Christmas special???

[Aussieshepherds]

I baked dog treats for a few of my clients It showed me how appreciative they are of me!

[pooh13]

well I baked dog cookies for all of my clients.this was my season opened but I do think the clients appreciated the gesture.

[PuppyFluffer]

40 blankets to the local shelter made me feel almost as warm as the dogs they would be wrapped around. Got my MIL this silly little dancing dalmation dog from WalMart that flaps its ears a lot and dances. I had more fun watching her with that stupid thing than I have in awhile...

[Lucy in the Sky]

My brother and I gave each other Crock Pots! My mom of course knew and kept the secret. She got a good laugh from it! I gave all the women in the family bookmarks that I and my friend that makes jewelry custom designed for each one with an appropriate charm.
My most significant gift to my family this year is my time. We could not afford much, but we are here for Christmas and that is what really matters. They know that with two jobs, I have a hard time getting away. Fortunately I have a wonderful client base and when I told them my dad was sick, and we would be gone for the holiday, they all understood.

[PAWS]

I groomed a dog for free for a good client that had lost her job and is scraping by.

[Smart-n-Pretty]

I groomed 3 dogs for an ex co-worker of mine who is out of a job.

[SharPeiMom]

I gave a beautiful red porcelain victorian Christmas ornament that had a music box inside to a special client of mine. She is older and almost blind and lives alone. She didn't open it until after I left and she called me to tell that was the most wonderful gift she had ever received. She said she didn't have a single Christmas decoration up but she could sit and listen to the Christmas music that the ornament played. I thought she was going to cry. I felt so good that I had made her feel good. I love my clients.

[atimetopaws]

atimetopaws

I did the shoe boxes for Samaritans(sp) Purse again this year. Took a bag of canned/dry
food to our local outreach center and a bag to the Salvation Army. This made me feel so good to help those that don't have.

[KDGROOMER]

My sister and I scraped our money together and bought my mom a kitchenaid stand mixer. She has been wanting one for YEARS!!!! She is a very loving and kind person who raised us alone and did a pretty good job. When she began to open it she saw the red letters and then pushed the box away as tears fell down her face. That was not only the best gift I gave it was the best gift I received

[dogspaw]

I had a iron gate sign custom made for my daughters dog show "mentors" which quickly became her God Parents when I got sick this year and had my surgery. They never even asked "do" you want her to come down here and stay with us, it was "when" do you want us to come get her. They kept her for several months while I had my surgery, learned to walk again, and got over the "hump" of getting better. They kept her occupied, took her all over the East Coast to places I could never afford to take her. They even hired a private teacher to home school her, making sure she was current with her class here at home by keeping in contact with her teachers. They have taken in many a dog over the years, but never a young teenage girl! (ewwwww scarry music playing in my head) They are the typical "have everything, need nothing" type people. I had their kennel crest made in iron for them to put on the iron gate on their driveway. I am actually leaving in about an hour to drive the 4 hrs to their house to give it to them, I cant wait to see the reaction! This is as much a "Thank You" gift as it is a Christmas gift.

[Gracy Rose]

Well- I will tell you what I did for my employees and what I did for me.

For me- I groomed a dog for free for a homeless man that was sitting in a corner sharing his food with his little dog. Come to discover, he can't go into a shelter because he doesn't want to part from his dog "she is all I have left".

For my groomers:
Manager: Vera Bradley Luggage Set (she wanted)
Mobile Groomers: Coach Agenda/Planner
New Groomer (only been with us for 2 weeks): Vera Bradley Tote

[edderland]

I gave a Christmas tree with full set of lovely ornaments to a family with 4 children and no christmas. I gave a set of plastic tote/storage boxes to a family with little so their children have a place to put their things.
I gave all my extra/duplicate cleaning supplies to two families in need for Christmas.
I gave away my keyboard and mouse to a family that didn't have one that worked; still working fine; I finally bought myself a wireless laser set.
I gave my child and his wife true permission to not buy me christmas presents this year; they are really struggling,t oo.
Things are slowly turning around and looking up for us.
I gave my son and daughter in law all my love forever.
Deidre

[Hello Kitty FTW]

I bought my parents a Edible Arrangements fruit basket. It was a red sled filled with flower shaped pineapples and chocolate covered strawberries. It was almost enough to make my mom start a diet

[KarlaSnyder]

My brother's border collie mix, Rascal, died in January. I got a figurine made of him (www.klaykennel.com). Really cute. You can see it on her web site. My SIL promised not to "accidentally" break him. She never really liked poor Rascal.