Avoid the stress of Christmas shopping
I was raised Catholic, and in my family, we used to give gifts to everyone (5 boys, Mom and Dad) along with a number of other of our close and loved ones (2 of my Aunties, one of my uncles and 2 of my closest cousins, one of them who is actually coming up to Calgary to spend Christmas with my brother, his family, my Mom and myself). Raul, always the planner, had all his gifts well before Christmas.
And then the family grew. My brothers got married, had kids, and all of a sudden, buying 9-10 gifts became buying 20-25. Insane. So, we decided to cut back and just give to the little kids. This year, my brother insisted on not giving Christmas presents, but I decided that I wanted to, even if they were small little things.
I’ve been very fortunate this year and I am closing with a bang, with very successful projects. My teaching has also gone really well and so has my consulting and my research. So I figured I could spend a little bit (not a lot, as I want to save for the next year, which will be challenging) on Christmas presents.
However, as I have mentioned before, I’ve been insanely busy and I hadn’t had the time to buy my family *any* Christmas presents. Even for my close friends in Vancouver, I didn’t get them anything yet. I feel insanely bad. But the truth is, everyone knows that (a) it’s been a financially challenging year and (b) I give my love, so gifts are somewhat secondary.
But up until a few minutes ago, I was completely and utterly worried. Would I be able to complete all of my Christmas shopping? Would I be able to at least get to see my close friends before leaving on holidays? The answer is, the shopping got done (down to the wire, which is kind of unusual for me) but the seeing friends hasn’t been completed.
So here I am, trying frantically to get ready to meet a few friends, and organize my gifts (I’m also bringing along the gifts that the family of my sister in law is giving them) and pack. If I may give you a suggestion, my dear readers – avoid the stress of holiday shopping, if at all possible.
*sigh*
Good thing I’m going to disconnect and head to a different city on holidays. I don’t want to see a mall until 2010, thank you very much.
Related posts:
- Merry Christmas Eve 2011
- Give me your budget-savvy tips for holiday shopping and win a $50 VISA Canada card #VisaPerks
- Feliz Navidad (Merry Christmas)
- Blitzkrieg Christmas Shopping
- Merry Christmas 2007!
Hope you were able to get your shopping done and everything before you head off for your holidays.
Last few years I’ve found if I do 95% of my shopping in November or earlier then the December, I wouldn’t be overstressed from everything after I arrive back home from US Thanksgiving.
Have a great Christmas
I actually really love Christmas shopping… but I find the best thing to do is just think in your head before hand what you are going to get and how much you are going to spend. I pretty much know exactly what I am going to buy before I go get it… and I generally finish all my shopping in one day
This year, I am cutting back and buying presents for just my closest immediate family
Definitely helps and makes things easier!
I’m a little opposite from you and Kimm though, I like to do my shopping no more than 5 days in advance of Christmas! Hehe