Now that the Christmas season is upon us again, I have the annual tedious task of Christmas shopping. I wish gift-giving wasn’t such a wobegon chore. Next to unraveling the Christmas lights, it is my least favorite part of the Christmas season.
As is his wont, Someone gives me no guidance; he doesn’t want anything nor does he have any ideas. Worse luck, his birthday is in the middle of the month. So what’s to do?
I start this ornery task by searching through the catalogs – and there is no lack of catalogs; everyday they arrive by the handful. I prefer to do my shopping on-line. If I don’t have to set foot in a department store then I feel fortunate. Worse case scenario: I will brave a mall, aimlessly wandering until something leaps off the shelf or some nice salesman sells me “Summer Rain”.
Happily, this year I have a few ideas, which I shan’t share here lest Someon be reading this entry. We set a budget. Our gift giving may be modest but we both fret whether or not they will be well received.
My family continues to draw names for Secret Santa. Happily an idea I had in autumn will match with the name I drew. So that task it easy. The nieces will get clothes. I need to email the nephews ASAP to find out what they want. Usually their lists consist of violent sounding items of which I have never heard. It is sometimes easier for me to ask Brother #2 to buy it for me.
Besides the angst of what to get, there is the anxiety to get it posted in time. Someone – bless’em ! – has time to stand in line at the Post Office or UPS or Fedex. I forget which one is the least painful.
For Spo-fans wondering what I want for Christmas –
- a pony
- something I shall remain blank lest my mother reads this
and
c) smoked salmon (no rubbish)
19 comments
November 30, 2010 at 6:45 AM
Sean
Sign me up for 2.
November 30, 2010 at 7:21 AM
Cubby
I’m known to give away a voucher for a for a certain type of manly gift every month. Men love receiving them. Perhaps Someone would like a voucher from you?
November 30, 2010 at 9:28 AM
Urspo
Can I try one first to see if it is the right size and colour?
November 30, 2010 at 7:43 AM
Laurent
My Xmas shopping is almost over. I will get gift certificate for clothing in really nice men stores here in Rome, given that men fashion in Italy is by far superior to anything one can find in North America. Other than that, I will go to my favorite wine shop and get a few cases of wines and other food specialty. Last year I got some really nice goose liver paté with truffles and 70% dark chocolates, etc…
Maybe a few bottles of champagne. No malls and no stores.
November 30, 2010 at 7:55 AM
Will
Fritz and I do a modified version of laurent’s approach — we give good wines and gourmet foods, as well as gift cards to stores relevant to the lifestyle of the recipient and, this year in particular, books (major amazon buy, although one quirky, wonderful bokstore near us in Exeter, NH was involved). We buy things for people while on our various travels or when we see just the right thing no matter what month of the year it is. That usually brings us into the fall with much — if not the majority — of our shopping already done.
Cubby, you are an IDEAL gift giver — can I please, PLEASE be on your list? 🙂
November 30, 2010 at 1:28 PM
Hanuman Das
I can usually buy what I need online. Otherwise, I shop locally and stay away from the f**king malls! 😉
November 30, 2010 at 2:57 PM
Ron Tipton
Many, many years ago (one can say this when they have been together 46 years), Bill and I decided NO GIFTS for Christmas. NO GIFTS. However we do seek out a magnificent, sparkly Christmas card which to give one another. Bill signs his “Me” and I sign mine “Pots” (don’t ask, it’s a long story.)
Also, NO GIFTS for family. I bit that bullet many, many years ago also. My brothers don’t want gifts and their kids are too old for gifts. And I didn’t even start the habit of getting gifts for the grand nieces and nephews. Didn’t want to go there either.
When we moved into this neighborhood four years ago, our lovely neighbors to the right insisted on buying us gifts so I will scout around for a gift for them. The last year or two we settled on taking each other out for dinner, that’s the GIFT.
Many, many years ago, when I used to get profit sharing at the bank where I worked I was one of those Crazy Christmas Shoppers. I would spend hundreds of dollars (I think I topped a thousand a couple to times too.) NO MORE.
Now I send out a super, extra special, personally designed Christmas card to friends, relatives and neighbors. My extra special peeps receive one of my custom made calendars.
And that Spo is how I slayed the dragon Mandatory Christmas Shopping.
November 30, 2010 at 3:17 PM
Karen
1. 2. and C … you make me laugh!!
November 30, 2010 at 3:17 PM
anne marie in philly
I buy all year round for the few people on my list, and I pay cash for everything. come january, no bills!
I am finished shopping already, either from catalogs or online. malls suck!
I want a present from cubby this year (sounds interesting)!
November 30, 2010 at 3:36 PM
Shawn
What color Pony?
November 30, 2010 at 3:45 PM
jefferyrn
I want a hippopotamas!
November 30, 2010 at 4:00 PM
jefferyrn
(no rhinoceroses)
December 1, 2010 at 12:51 AM
Walt
I applaud Mr. Tipton. My partner and I have gone in a similar direction. Although there are special food traditions we keep up throughout the season. That’s where our effort goes. And we enjoy the meals together and sometimes with family and friends (even more fun).
May your days be merry and bright.
December 1, 2010 at 2:22 AM
rg
My gift has always been my sparkling personality. That and I’m a really good hump too.
December 1, 2010 at 8:23 AM
Bill J
Santa’s elves will be calling you to schedule a Quality Control visit.
December 1, 2010 at 10:58 AM
rg
Oooooh – tiny little pointy ears! Better for the grip! 🙂
December 1, 2010 at 2:57 PM
Bill J
That will be fun until someone puts an eye out.
December 1, 2010 at 3:52 AM
Rick
I haven’t started at all and usually I’m a good chunk in. This year I’m doing a lot online.
December 1, 2010 at 8:25 AM
Bill J
DR. Spo,
Does that mean that if someone was to send you a box of horsesh**, you would open it and exclaim “Horsesh**? Where is the pony?!”