My Best 2007 Christmas Gift: Kelly Clarkson VitaminWater Promotion Cardboard Cutout

"It is better to give than to receive" is the old moto. Christmas has long lost much of it's original concept and is more commercial. Each year, we spend millions on Christmas gifts to give to our loved ones. Sometimes they aren't always the best of gifts in the receiver's eye, but this year, I received the best gift I've received in several years.

It's been a tough year for me. Kelly Clarkson's latest controversial album My December, though claimed to be too negative and dark for her listeners by RCA labelheads, got me through some very important struggles. I've always admired Kelly for her path she's chosen as her career has progressed. I'm a songwriter as well, so when I listen to the 17 songs released in total from the sessions, I can distinctly pick out times in my life and this year that the songs relate to. It really has opened my eyes to new feelings, new concepts, and a deeper connection with myself and my awareness to my surroundings.

One of the struggles happened to be with my best friend Laura. In June, she started to date a new guy. Of course, friends come and go and so do boyfriends. But Laura has been around for years. We have been through some hard times, and cherish the good. At a time when I began to crumble, she was getting serious with this boy, Micah is his name. Time had become restricted and limited to hang out due to conflicting schedules between the two. I felt like my best friend had just abandoned me. Left me there to suffer without my relied on support.

We eventually made up, and have since then moved on. So shortly before Christmas she insisted her and Micah come over to give me something I'm "going to love!".

What could it be? I don't ask for anything usually and I don't ever expect any gifts. And as shallow as it may sound, I don't really care to receive gifts anymore. As time goes by and you get older, you just begin to see a different side of giving and gifting.

After my shower, the two had let themselves in and attempted to set up the gift in my bedroom. As I walked in, there stands an almost six foot tall cardboard cutout of Kelly Clarkson's VitaminWater promotion.