There are many things in the world that can remind you that you’re getting old, for instance, waking up with an achy back for absolutely no reason. Seriously, what is that? I have a fancy mattress and everything. Another sign that you’re getting old is the kinds of parties you attend. I was recently at a party where someone intricately tied a paper towel around the neck of a wine bottle so that it wouldn’t drip on the table. First of all, I’m at a party where not only are people drinking wine but they know and use tips on how to drink wine. And second, I’m old enough to care—and have friends who care—about the furniture! But the number one way that I know I’m getting old is based on the things I now desire as gifts!

I still remember the days when all I wanted was an Easy-Bake Oven or the Playmobil electric train (I still kinda want this), these days I’ve got my eyes on other kinds of things. So, here are the top reasons that I know I’m getting old:

1. I want a vacuum cleaner. I’ve spend the majority of my life not giving one hoot about the state of my room. There we definitely times as a child when I’d go on a cleaning binge—usually when I was supposed to be doing homework or in the middle of the night when I was supposed to be sleeping—but my general attitude was if it doesn’t bother me, it shouldn’t bother you. Now that I live on my own that occasional urge to clean happens more often. Not too often, but more often. And when it does I think, man, I could really use a vacuum. Since I’m still not 100 per cent on the cleaning bandwagon I need to make the task as appealing as possible. Sweeping dust is the least appealing thing on the chore list. Sucking up dust with a MACHINE!? That’s way more my style.
2. An area rug. Those suckers are expensive. Similar to the vacuum point, my new grown up apartment is completely hardwood floored, which means dirt (sand, dust, string, hair, everything) is super visible and super mobile. Unlike with carpeted floors, hardwood floors allow for dirt to slide around and get stuck to your feet, clothes, anything that touches the floor. I’d love an area rug because I feel this would reduce/disguise the actual problem.
3. Anything organizational. I love things that match, and I love things that organize while matching. No matter how many times I try to clean my desk, it only lasts a few days, and then it’s right back to its crazy cluttered mess. I don’t know what or how this particular issue can be helped but I can only assume that “organization” is the key.
4. Money to pay off my student debt. As I step deeper and deeper into adulthood things like paying off debt and having money in my savings are more often on my mind. I’d love to take a big chunk out of my debt and say SCREW YOU bank fees!

Lately I have been observing a level of frugality seeping into my very being, resulting in an overwhelming desire to DIY everything. Obviously I’m not really rolling in dough so when I see something that I want I usually think “I can make that.” (The only trouble with this is my potentially unjustified mentality that I actually can make that.) If that thought never crosses my mind then I know I have to buy it to get it. If that thought does cross my mind, however, then I’m not usually satisfied if I end up paying more money for it than I would have spent had I made it. I have a DIY project list longer than War and Peace. For this reason, I’d like certain DIY tools, like:

1. A sewing machine, although I really hate threading bobbins. I can make home decor, clothing, costumes, table linens, gifts, the possibilities are endless.
2. A cordless drill, hammer, etc. Right now my only set of tools is a small convertible screwdriver that I got for my snowboard about 15 years ago. It’s completely rusty.
3. Home Depot gift cards. I hate my bathroom and would like to repaint it (and maybe add some tiling on the window sill), I have no idea how much paint costs but I’d need to buy it and all the accessories that go along with painting. Home Depot’s got me covered. I also need to update my bedroom’s paint job. 

But all is not lost because there are still plenty of things that remind that I am not lost to the ages just yet. For example, I know how to text. Also, the following are what I feel to be practical, grown up items that I simply have no interest in yet (hence, still young! Rejoice!):

1. I do not like getting calendars for Christmas. Inevitably I either get no calendars or 4+ calendars. And then I feel obligated to use all the calendars even though no one person could possibly have use for that many calendars. I especially dislike desktop page-a-day calendars. By giving the gift of a desktop page-a-day calendar, first you assume that I have room on my desk for a calendar (I don’t, I barely have room for the pile of hair elastics, 3 empty water bottles, and 2 dresses + 1 shirt for goodwill). And second, you are asking me to commit to your gift for 365 days in a row. The only thing I’ve ever consistently managed to do for 365 days in a row is stay alive. Also, no one seems to be able to correctly gage my interests when they buy me calendars. Since when have I ever expressed an interested in maritime bed and breakfasts?
2. Soaps, lotions and general skin care products. I have so many soaps and lotions stashed away in my bathroom that if lotions were currency I could afford that vacuum I want. *Let me just make a quick note to say that I have genuinely loved every soap and lotion that I have received up to this point in my life, I just have an enormous stock pile that I am currently working through. I feel like it’s safe to say that in 2015 I might be in need of some more soaps and lotions, but right now, my 2013 is looking pretty clean and moisturised.*

Perhaps I have been equating “old” with “responsible,” which may not be entirely fair. One can be old and not responsible. With that in my mind, here are a few totally frivolous things that I totally want, just because I think it would be super cool!

1. A large computer monitor. Currently I use a laptop, which is great, but its internal speakers are broken so I have to use external ones. While this is fine and works, it limits the mobility of the laptop to essentially a desktop (can’t move the speakers). I often want to watch TV or movies in bed (in lieu of a couch in my room), and with my desk being on one side of the room and my bed on the other, my screen ends up looking pitifully small. I’ve always been a desktop kinda gal so I wouldn’t mind hooking up a big screen and wireless keyboard and tucking the laptop neatly in the back somewhere.
2. Wireless speakers. This would be a great solution to the immovable laptop issue.
3. Movie tickets. I LOVE going to the cinema and I’ve always thought movie passes make great gifts!
4. A Kitchen Aid Artisan mixer. Oh sweet, sweet possibilities. This is something I always drool over at the department store. However, it’s absolutely not practical in my current kitchen. Nor could I possibly settle on a colour at the moment (mint green is always in the back of my mind, but what if my future forever kitchen is red? IT HAS TO MATCH!). This is a dream for a future year, I just have to put it out to the universe that I love you, Kitchen Aid Artisan mixer. I love you.
5. Clothes. Damn if I don’t still love shopping. But, as the theme of this post would indicate, I am getting old now, so I am drawn to more expensive items of better quality. Still trendy though, I’m too old to not care what I look like. Saying that, I’m pretty picky about styles and fit that I think look good on me, so mall gift cards that I can use where and on what I think suits me would also be a good gift.

Oh and World Peace, of course.

For anyone who is just dying to get me a gift but can’t figure out what to choose, take a look at my Pinterest page (online bulletin board) to see a selection of things I love or just to gauge my style!