[LiteraryLark]

Yay because I decided on two Christmas presents for my parents.

Nay because my intended Christmas present, a handmade crocheted blanket, was postponed due to the fire.

I got my dad two wine glasses with a twisted stem. The kind he likes is very rare to find but they are his favorite and I had to get him a pair. I found two on ebay and I made an offer for $5 off and my request was granted.

For my mom I got her a coffee mug on Snapfish that says "Keep Calm and Meow On" with three photos of her cat Salem and a message engraved that says, "Dear Mumsy, I love you forever and always. You're the sun to my shine, a woman who conquers all and the woman I strive to be". And snapfish had a 40% off code so I got a steal on that.

It's not the blanket, but I feel I picked out two very nice gifts that are meaningful, something I can give them this year...

[ptangptang]

Good thing about having no friends and no family is no Christmas shopping.

[benzenering]

I am supporting my daughter, a single mom, through college so I am too poor for too many Christmas presents. Her present was 4 new rotors on her car, a front end alignment, and 2 snow tires. My son will get a cast iron skillet (he's into cooking) and maybe a frying pan or two (he loves to cook). He's 27 and asking for a frying pan instead of video games, blessing!

My son just moved into his first real home so a gift certificate for him to get things for it - even a start on Christmas items - seems ideal.

My daughter is more difficult to buy for. Thus far I've no clue.

[Mike_J]

I hate shopping, thank GOD for Amazon..

[Sunflower123]

Originally Posted by Mike_J

I hate shopping, thank GOD for Amazon..

I hear you on that. If it’s not bought on-line, it’s not bought.

[unaluna]

Originally Posted by ptangptang

Good thing about having no friends and no family is no Christmas shopping.

Did you forget about your snooky-wookums?

I like christmas shopping. I just don't know what to get for my mum and sister. I've already bought some fizz balls, bath kit and I bought my mum a flower. My mum's like oh you don't have to get me much.

[William Munny]

Originally Posted by happycheeks

I like christmas shopping. I just don't know what to get for my mum and sister. I've already bought some fizz balls, bath kit and I bought my mum a flower. My mum's like oh you don't have to get me much.

You can get your mom a scentsy if she doesn't already have one. I got one for mine and she loves it.
I'm getting my dad a metal detector.

Originally Posted by William Munny

You can get your mom a scentsy if she doesn't already have one. I got one for mine and she loves it.
I'm getting my dad a metal detector.

Thank you for the idea. I think I know what perfume she'd want. Some of them are expensive here.

[All Is Revealed]

I'm already done Christmas shopping. I started Christmas shopping back in September. I went to the mall today and watched the madness begin.



It was rather funny watching everyone scramble like wild geese.

[unaluna]

Im in the same boat as ptangptang. But its gonna be a little embarrassing when we are the only two people on the boat not exchanging gifts!

[ptangptang]

Originally Posted by unaluna

Did you forget about your snooky-wookums?

If you're my spooky wookums (oops, typo) them am I your Jelly Elli roll. Ooh er Mrs, as we brits say. I can see why I may be though. Since my health and exercise regime I'm 5' 2'' of pure muscle and 5 7/8‘‘of impure muscle.

PS yep, I've got small hands.......but 'buns of steel'

Nay. Mainly because I have no money this year. I do like giving gifts though.

[LiteraryLark]

Both of my Christmas presents came today! YAAAAAAAYYYYY!!!!!!!!

[jaynedough]

I used to love Christmas, but since my parents died, I haven't really done much. I used to have most of my Christmas shopping done by July. When my parents got to the, "We don't really need/want anything" stage, I started putting together Blizzard Boxes for them for Christmas. The box would have special treats that they usually didn't buy because of the price, as well as ordinary things, like crackers, powdered milk, fire starter for the woodstove, a new deck of Skip-Bo cards. Also put things like beer, bourbon and cigarettes. This was after we were snowed in for 8 days. Three adults and two dogs stuck in a house for 8 days is bad enough, but running out of the alcohol and cigarettes could've lead to murder. I wrapped everything individually. It was a good thing to have on hand, and provided a mini celebration at the end of winter, if we didn't get snowbound that year.

I really miss Christmas. With my parents gone, I no longer have financial security, or I'd do one of those things where you buy gifts for a child in need.

[bounceback]

Originally Posted by jaynedough

I used to love Christmas, but since my parents died, I haven't really done much. I used to have most of my Christmas shopping done by July. When my parents got to the, "We don't really need/want anything" stage, I started putting together Blizzard Boxes for them for Christmas. The box would have special treats that they usually didn't buy because of the price, as well as ordinary things, like crackers, powdered milk, fire starter for the woodstove, a new deck of Skip-Bo cards. Also put things like beer, bourbon and cigarettes. This was after we were snowed in for 8 days. Three adults and two dogs stuck in a house for 8 days is bad enough, but running out of the alcohol and cigarettes could've lead to murder. I wrapped everything individually. It was a good thing to have on hand, and provided a mini celebration at the end of winter, if we didn't get snowbound that year.

I really miss Christmas. With my parents gone, I no longer have financial security, or I'd do one of those things where you buy gifts for a child in need.

I get this I really do. When my mom was alive most of my family would get together at her house and it was a lot of fun. She never had a stocking growing up and one of the funnnest things would be finding stuff for it and watching her go through it. Now it is my brother, sister and me. It is still nice but very different.

Originally Posted by jaynedough

I used to love Christmas, but since my parents died, I haven't really done much. I used to have most of my Christmas shopping done by July. When my parents got to the, "We don't really need/want anything" stage, I started putting together Blizzard Boxes for them for Christmas. The box would have special treats that they usually didn't buy because of the price, as well as ordinary things, like crackers, powdered milk, fire starter for the woodstove, a new deck of Skip-Bo cards. Also put things like beer, bourbon and cigarettes. This was after we were snowed in for 8 days. Three adults and two dogs stuck in a house for 8 days is bad enough, but running out of the alcohol and cigarettes could've lead to murder. I wrapped everything individually. It was a good thing to have on hand, and provided a mini celebration at the end of winter, if we didn't get snowbound that year.

I really miss Christmas. With my parents gone, I no longer have financial security, or I'd do one of those things where you buy gifts for a child in need.

(((((JayneDough)))))

Originally Posted by Mike_J

I hate shopping, thank GOD for Amazon..

DITTO!!!!!!

[All Is Revealed]

I was feeling adventurous and went to the mall today. I was interested in seeing the chaos at the mall. When I saw police vehicles everywhere, I knew something was wrong. There was no parking, neither. I decided to go back home.

I'm glad I went. But I was relieved that I didn't enter the mall. It was a reminder of a vicious cycle that some of us go through --- why do some of us purposely place ourselves through this Christmas shopping torture?

I understand that some people might enjoy it, but I find it hard to believe that (most) people enjoy it. I find is soothing to remind myself why I choose not to commit to certain things.

[unaluna]

(((ALL))) yeah, i went out today to buy treats for a dessert party sunday, but i took the bus, so i didnt have to worry about parking. It was a clear blue sky day and the wind was from the south-south-west, so it was almost mild. I missed my bus by just a few minutes, so i sat on the bench in the sun for half an hour and drank water and ate grapes! Also i had finally found the right size replacement tip for my hiking stick, so i did that chore while i was waiting.

[All Is Revealed]

Originally Posted by unaluna

(((ALL))) yeah, i went out today to buy treats for a dessert party sunday, but i took the bus, so i didnt have to worry about parking. It was a clear blue sky day and the wind was from the south-south-west, so it was almost mild. I missed my bus by just a few minutes, so i sat on the bench in the sun for half an hour and drank water and ate grapes! Also i had finally found the right size replacement tip for my hiking stick, so i did that chore while i was waiting.

Missing the bus and/or train can be seen as a great experience (as long as you won't miss an appointment or event). It gives us time to relax, and probably think about things we typically wouldn't.

[ptangptang]

Originally Posted by unaluna

(((ALL))) yeah, i went out today to buy treats for a dessert party sunday, but i took the bus, so i didnt have to worry about parking. It was a clear blue sky day and the wind was from the south-south-west, so it was almost mild. I missed my bus by just a few minutes, so i sat on the bench in the sun for half an hour and drank water and ate grapes! Also i had finally found the right size replacement tip for my hiking stick, so i did that chore while i was waiting.

It was a lovely clear blue sky sunny day here too today but cold. Good for walking though. I do about a 4-5 mile walk round trip to the sports centre through the park which is nice. I love it when all the ducks start quacking, as if one of them has just told a really funny joke. Love it. Did body combat and body balance classes today and had a shower and felt really good. I go through the shopping centre on the way home and visit all the charity shops.(9) Got some really good shoe bargains lately. Picked up some nice DVDs today for pennies. So a pretty good day. Lots of people out Christmas shopping. Something I don't need to do. Yay.

[MuseumGhost]

I hear you, ptang and una. Husband just wants some practical things; and after that, there's nobody else left.

*sigh*

But I will say, I don't miss the mall madness and the crowds and the endless search for "the perfect gift". That's all definitely designed to drive us 'round the bend.

[possum220]

Mostly a nay for shopping. Takes too much effort. Most of presents are calendars this year. I try to buy chocolates for gifts but who am I kidding? I am then one that normally eats them.