Other birthday presents

As well as the perfect picnic basket and rug, I got a bunch of other great presents for my birthday:

• The Democrats won control of both houses after the midterm elections;
• Rumsfled stood down;
• Bolton's position is currently under threat; and
  
• Cheney is becoming isolated.

Non-political presents also included:

• A gorgeous pair of silver earings from Laos;
• Two prenatal massages (vouchers, actually);
• Frank Brennan's new book;
• A cute teddy bear book;
• A box of pachyderm paper (yep, made from elephant dung);
• Two beautiful vases;
• Two bunches of flowers;
• A jade plant;
• An embroidered hanky;
  
• A salad spinner; and
  
• A jar of almonds.

I am thinking of asking for a sewing machine from my parents (for Christmas too). Trouble is that I don't know what kind to get. Any suggestions?