Good Morning Wednesday Birds!

[Smowball]

Well, looks like I cannot put it off any longer, I need to face facts , and do some Christmas shopping! Every single year I do this - I say I will be organised and have everything bought by early December and then just wrap, and every year I don't lol. I don't even go mad and spend insane amounts of money, or endless numbers of presents - it's just the number of adults & children. I'm limiting it to a small present each to open for my grown up kids,plus their partners,  and then a money gift for them, and then all the grandchildren plus MrSmow & in-laws,& a good friend,   but even then it adds up to 13 adults and 7 children (and even then I've prob missed someone!). I did a list a few weeks ago and wrote ideas for gifts nxt to each of them, and I've got a few online - things I think they'd actually like and not just buying nonsense for the sake of it. But still a fair bit to do.

How do you all do it?? (Those that actually buy lol)

 

[naomi24]

Morning, I just sat for an afternoon with Amazon.  All done.... and even wrapped now.  I intend attacking the Christmas card writing today - and that's a job I really don't like.  

[Smowball]

Morning Naomi, yes I must confess that the few bits I do have here have come from Amazon. But yep, I think I'll try and get work out of the way this morning and see if I can do the bulk of it this afternoon. As for cards, it's no surprise that less and less people are sending them this year. I delivered an order to a customer lastnight, with a card, and she said oh sorry, I haven't got you one - I don't send cards to anyone anymore. Think postage has killed it for a lot of people.

[Rosetta]

We are trying to do as little as possible for Christmas this year which I am dreading. Maybe just a few cards for close relatives and friends and neighbours who have supported us in the last few months

[ubasses]

I am one of the ones that don't!!.  We decided a few years ago that we were only buying each other something we would buy ourselves so we wouldn't bother.  Two Goddaughters and youngest's mum and dad all get money and that is it.

Will certainly be cutting down on cards, we used to deliver to and receive from half the village, this year we will only post back to the people we are closest to.

 

[Smowball]

Good morning Rosetta & ubasses x 😁

Yes, my in-laws decided a few years ago that because both of their birthdays were in early January they wouldn't buy each other Xmas presents just a couple of weeks beforehand too, so what they do it just choose something together that they'd both like for the house and get that together. Personally I'd love to say to everyone look this is all too commercialised, and just get a little gift each and just enjoy the general spirit of things. I've got my eldest son who never visits, and every year he sends us some form of hamper that he's ordered from say Moonpig or similar. Totally overpriced nonsense that never ever gets used. Because he just can't or won't think of actual presents so he just does the same year after year. But how do you say please don't send me yet ANOTHER hamper!!

[pastafreak]

Good morning all...good to see you back smow.

I also planned to shop early...I've only hot my daughter and her partner to buy for. I had a list...but only started to actually order stuff on the weekend...from Amazon mostly. Got her partner gin after consulting. She and I usually get each other about 6-7 pressies...mostly small things like candles or smellies, with one special item. Though I told her that this year I'd not be spending much as I needed to buy a new undercounter fridge. Her response...I'll get it for you for Christmas.  Which she did. But she still wanted ideas for small things. 

I'd go mad if I needed to buy for as many as some folk do. I used to love shopping, but the physical shops are boring. Same old...same old.

[Smowball]

Hi Pasta. Yeh I cannot remember the last time I went to an actual shopping centre - my idea of hell actually! The only shops I physically go to is my local parade of shops up the road which has post office, small Co-op, chemist etc etc..... a Lidl. Apart from that anything I want I buy online. 

[pastafreak]

I'll go up to the city centre 1-2 times a week...just to get out. Otherwise I'd stay in all day. Not good. Local shops are overpriced. There used to be a coop but it's now a Morrisons Daily. Small branches like to inflate prices.

[Hazlinny]

I'm a bit of a "lazy" Christmas shopper - most get tokens (book, garden, M & S, etc.) so people can buy what they like.  Christmas sweater gifts are always appreciated by the three kids I buy for.

[Impatiens]

I've just updated the Christmas card list. Does that count?

[mumstheword1]

When I worked full time as a manager, ran a house, brought up 2 children, looked after parents etc I was super organised.  Now I only work 3 days,have Granddaughter for the one day (and other one after school) and I have much more time than I ever did but still organised. Some habits  are hard to break. All presents bought and wrapped,  all cards written and posted. Just need to do the decorations now.