"Giving presents is a talent;
to know what a person wants,
to know when and how to get it,
to give it lovingly and well."
-Pamela Glenconner
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Now that we've accepted that gifts are the center of Christmas,
deciding what to give and how to get it comfortably and affordably
deserves some reflection, especially considering that there are only
fourteen shopping days left until Christmas.
Keep in mind that Christmas will arrive on December 25
whether we're ready for it or not.
That frantic?
In that case, promise your authentic self that this is
absolutely the last time you'll shop, wrap, and send
all your gifts in the space of four weeks.
It took nine months to orchestrate the first Christmas,
which is exactly what you're going to aim for in the future.
Next year, you swear, it will be different.
But in order for that to happen, you're going to have to get started on it the last week of December. That's just when you're absolutely sick of Christmas, of course, but that's also when you can get next year's wrapping paper, cards, and holiday novelties at bargain prices.
In addition, there are regular sales throughout the year.
Keeping your eye open for bargains year round, as well as bearing in mind the special interests of your family and friends, will permit you to gather Christmas gifts at a leisurely pace and at the best prices months in advance. You won't find delightful, affordable gifts in department stores at the eleventh hour...
Always work from a list of people you give gifts to,
noting their hobbies, personal passions, treasured collections, and sizes. Don't try to carry it all in your head; free up some mental RAMs with written reminders.
Try to keep apparel gifts for kids to a minimum; they grow in such spurts, it's virtually impossible to get the size right. [Remember things bought on sale are usually not returnable.] It's also difficult to keep track of what's in and what's out with kids; presents aren't supposed to make everyone miserable... [If you're going to do handmade, DO NOT START NOW].
If you're buying or making Christmas gifts ahead of time, you need a place to put them. Designate one closet, cabinet, trunk, or drawer as the gift repository. A gift-cache is a sanity saver during the year; gift gathering can become a joyful simplicity...
Since you already have your gift wrapping stashed away, you don't have to wait to wrap them in a frantic flurry; you can wrap them creatively and with pleasure. Make your wrappings part of the gift...Label your wrapped gift; who it goes to and what it is.
End Quote
Gift giving can be so much fun.
But seriously, let's all start in April next year.
A little at a time goes a long way.
Robbie just gave me a really sweet compliment.
He said I'm really good at gift giving!
And here I am thinking I'm may be adequate...
he just made me cry.
I do try really hard to think of others through the year.
It's so much fun.
And I love shopping, and crafting, so you know...
You can do this!
Have you ever read The Gift of the Magi?
It is one of my favorites, and makes me cry every year.
Some of the things I learned: sometimes you should coordinate gifts, and if you don't have the money then you don't have the money. I wouldn't want my hubby to sell his most prized possession just to give me a gift, that would make me really sad. And if Robbie spent money we didn't have, I'd be really upset.
That probably isn't the point, but you know...
***
Gratitude Journal
***
1) Having a restful Monday. This weekend was exhausted.
2) Robbie's Anger book, it's so awesome.
3) Two piano lesson's done, four to go! And then a nice long Christmas break.
4) Jacob loves his friends.
5) 20 days left until the end of the year! 14 days till Christmas!!!
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