I started working in the casino industry in 2005 after I graduated from business school. It started off as a dream job… Mr. A and I spent 6 or 7 days a week at the property, which was alive with energy and excitement at all hours. There were concerts. There were parties. There were dinners. There was me vomiting on the floor outside of the office bathroom (sooooo close!) the day after a nightclub opening.
It was a time when a casino smelled of optimism, not just stale cigarettes, bad cologne and cheap women (although it probably smelled like that too, I just didn’t notice). I am sure every couple has a place that is special to them, where their relationship was in its infancy. Ours just happened to have people yelling “Jackpot!” in the background. Casinos seem to have some magical effect on many people, so this year Mr. A and I are planning on spreading a little holiday cheer with gifts that are not only super-chic, but represent a little of our past, present and (hopefully) future.
- IDEA International Gold Playing Cards ($17) – Pretty sure that even Mr. Trump himself wouldn’t scoff at this stocking stuffer. For the King Midas in your life. Or just because you are sick of having to play bridge with your husband’s Hooters girls deck.
Charmco Luck and Gambling charms (from $125) and charm bracelets (from $275) – For my mother’s (COUGH)th birthday, I started her a charm bracelet from Charmco. It has been a great way to celebrate milestones and her travels around the world. For those wanting something a little simpler, the charms look divine on a simple gold chain. My favorite “lucky charm” is this fortune cookie ($295).- JAQK Cellars Full House gift set ($312) – Back when I was working, some very very special friends gave me this gift set. Mind effectively blown. All eight bottles sat on my bar, undisturbed, for a month. Which is a record for any alcoholic beverage in my house. I just couldn’t stop admiring their lovely packaging… Lucky for me, the wine was just as tasty as the design was flawless. Pretty confident that we’ll be gifting a lot of these this season. And even more confident that I will be gifting myself some bottles of the High Roller Cabernet Sauvignon. Because that’s how I roll.
Man, I wish I had those Gold Cards in college. How awesome would a game of Kings or Asshole be with gold cards. If they were only water resistant.
I know who is getting a deck in their stocking this year!
Yahtzee, now time to have a new family tradition post holiday dinner. No more Scattergories, now epic rounds of Asshole or Kings or Up the River or Screw the Dealer or Electricity. I am sure I have forgotten some good games.
Alright! A Hoveround plug. Nice!
I was going to tag you in the post but I couldn’t figure out how to do it!!! I am glad you saw… I am a huge fan of Tom Kruse. They play a lot of him at 5am around here. He is my gym buddy.
Thank you for solving my holiday shopping worries!! What a perfect gift for all the raging alcoholics in my family!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving to you too! I like how your family rolls!!