[photo via real simple]
I realize the risk I take with this post, as it regards a major holiday (dare I type it?) that is, believe it or not, only a few weeks away. There are those that shudder to think of it before our day of thanks, but not me. At least not when it comes to shopping. Call me crazy, but I really look forward to it. All of it.
I love making the list (especially) and thinking of just the right thing for each person. I love acquiring those things long before the holidays, scoring a great deal when I can. I love wrapping each gift with tender loving flair. Maybe it helps that we keep our shopping list simple, our priorities specific, and our budget small. Since we shop ahead of time there is no last minute frenzy or overspending on credit cards. With rare exception, I refuse to do gift shopping after Thanksgiving, which allows me to really enjoy the decorating, wrapping, giving, eating, and socializing of the season. Here's how it breaks down for us.
For the spouse: 1 gift, plus stocking stuffers. LOVE stocking stuffers.
For the toddler: 2-ok, maybe 3--gifts, plus stocking stuffers, within a specified budget. He's 2. His expectations are nill.
For our parents: we established a special mission savings account for each set of parents into which we contribute money for Christmas and birthdays. The gift grows a little each year.
Siblings: B has 4 siblings. A couple of years ago they opted not to exchange gifts with each other, not even to draw names (Scrooges!) but it simplifed the list by one. I have 2 siblings and we select a family oriented gift for them each year, like a beautiful book, a family game or a DVD. They live out of state, so it must always be something easy to mail.
Nieces/Nephews: We give each niece and nephew an ornament each year. We go for a theme each time like Santas or stars, and I generally find a great selection on sale after the holidays.
Friends and Neighbors: Usually something special from our kitchen. Not just ordinary cookies on a paper plate, but something signature, wrapped with style. Maybe homemade vanilla extract or pumpkin butter??
Not glamourous or extravagant, but still fun, still thoughtful, and it leaves us with wiggle room for unexpected extras and charities. And sometimes B and I surprise each other with our creativity or not-in-the-budget generosity. Don't you love surprises?
How do you manage your Christmas shopping?
6 comments:
Although I'm sure we all appreciate you defining us as "scrooges!", you failed to mention that instead of drawing sibling names each year, we all decided that we would donate that gift money to a charity of our choice. We have done just that each year instead of buying a sibling gift and have found it quite fulfilling.
The ornaments you find for the kids are always a fun surprise for them. We all enjoy them year after year.
I completely agree with you about simplifying - It's so easy to lose sight of what's important at this time of year.
nobody really thinks you are a scrooge, and the charity thing was something we were already doing. no biggie.
you are so organized. I do most of mine online but wait until a few weeks before Christmas.
And I agree...only 2 or 3 presents for Jack. This year he wants Thomas the Train everything. Actually, I'm all for skipping gifts and taking a trip (but as you know, my family can't get it together so that won't happen this year. I've already started working on next year).
We like to shop early too, way early. Although some how this year has seemed to fly by so quickly and we now find ourselves with no gifts yet purchased!
vanilla extract? um hello, i'm *kind of* a neighbor....
I absolutely LOVED your simplified list. I always think about doing things early - and then I turn around and it is December-ish.
Thanks for the thoughts- I am going to try to take your lead.
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