The weeks of December are wonderful blurs of watching How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Home Alone, and A Christmas Story, sprawled out on the floor of my bedroom or living room, surrounded by rolls of wrapping paper and tape and ribbon. I usually make “present prep” a several-day affair, partly because I absolutely love wrapping gifts and partly because I get so carried away in the details that it often takes me a ridiculous amount of time to get through them all.

I also have my best friend Jenn’s birthday two days after Christmas, and she’s one of those crazy-creative friends who always gets me the most unique and thoughtful and perfect gifts… which translates into ME searching for the the most unique and thoughtful and perfect gifts to send back (times two – for Christmas AND her birthday all at once!). I start thinking about what to get her in January. I’ve been known to buy things MONTHS in advance because they catch my eye and, if it’s cool and interesting, then it’s for Jenn.

And finally there’s my baskets… I started making baskets for co-workers and friends quite a few years ago and have become notoriously infamous for the themes and homemade goodies I collect and bundle up for the special people in my life. I love lining up all the things I made and gathering them in pretty-patterned cellophane to pass out to friends and family in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

So often people ask me why I burden myself with such lofty projects every year, but it’s not a burden – to me, there’s nothing like getting a heartfelt homemade gift at Christmas. The holidays have become a commercial money-grab and it bothers me – the true spirit of Christmas is about spending time with our loved ones, letting them know how much we appreciate them, and being good to your fellow man. And hopefully the time spent on wrapping, crafting, and making homemade edibles give the special people in my life a little bit of the spirit of Christmas…

In honour of getting my wisdom teeth yanked this week (haha could I look any more miserable?), I present some RANDOM THOUGHTS… on teeth, oral care, and more deliciousness.

1- Surgical masks are scary. They remind me of freaky horror flicks. Instead, they should use these:

(OK, maybe that’s equally scary…)

2- They should also make dental chairs more relaxing, like by adding a heated element or perhaps a soft massage mechanism. Maybe pipe some relaxing music into the headrests.

3- Why do dentists ask you questions when you have your mouth open, stuffed with gauze and instruments and stranger’s hands?

4- And why are dental instruments metal? Wouldn’t plastic be less noisy and cold and intimidating?

5- I’ve always heard that the profession of dentistry has the highest suicide rate… I wonder if this is true and, if it is, why? They sure do make a lot of money, they seem to keep pretty flexible hours, and most of the dental assistants I’ve known are attractive, meaning they have beautiful co-workers… seems like a cool gig to me!

Mmmm the menu du jour