Although I spend most of the time leading up to Christmas shopping for others, I will allow myself a selfish detour to examine my own wants and needs and present a list of same.  Last year, this process did prove useful, as I obtained at least one of the items on my list: a 4-12x scope for my lonely Kimber 25-06, which allowed it to become one of my favorite guns and one with which my daughter has shot half minute groups at 200 yards off the bench.  You will take note that it was not the old man behind the trigger when it achieved such excellence.  Glory is for the young.  But I digress.  On to the list!

#1: Benelli M2 Field.  A carryover from last year, so it has floated to the top.  As with last year, I’m not too picky on finish, but I will admit a preference for the Advantage MAX-4 version.  I’ve come close to the duck blaster of my dreams with a Browning Gold, a Remington 11-87, and a Beretta 391, but this is The One.

#2:  Ford F-150 Raptor SVT.  Who would not want a factory off-road-enhanced version of the F-150?  Bigger, wider, more powerful.  And since I didn’t get the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited I asked for last year, I’ll go bolder.  This truck is America on four wheels, baby.

#3: Bark River Sperati Point hunting knife.  I love my Bark Rivers, and this is very classy stuff with the leather washer handle.  I will point out to my wife if she is reading this that it could be an heirloom passed down from generation to generation.  And she can probably afford this one.  Last year I got a Kabar Warthog Impact.  This one is prettier by far.

#4: Aguila Mini Shells.  Whoever thought of this idea was a person of great genius.  I’ll take mine in 12 gauge, thank you.  

#5:  Finally, the Kimber SIS Pro.  My wife knows I want this but will probably make me wait several more years.  But it will be worth it when I open it on Christmas 2016.  The first time I saw one I felt that someone had been listening to all of my inner wants and needs of how to set up a 1911.  The trigger is my favorite style, the flat backstrap, the angled stippling on the grip, the sights–everything is perfect.  Except the weird SIS grooves on the slide, but, hey, I think I can live with them.

So I have laid bare my honest greed.  While others are blogging about the true spirit of Christmas, or about their charitable giving, or the moments spent with family, I am wanting stuff.  I guess I never grew up.  I will now go hug my kids and excellent wife, and tell them I don’t need any of these things but also remind them that I may be mildly disappointed if I don’t get any of them.