Christmas Shopping: bahhumbug

[ComesoonmyLORD]

Ok, I admit it. All the time that is required in Christmas shopping for 4 children, grandmas, teachers, etc. I took for granted. I never really understood why Ginger would spend so much time doing this. Buying things and having to return them for another size, organizing the kids gifts so that no one got more presents than the other or had more money spent on one over the other. And this wrapping thing is TOUGH. All my presents look like I wrapped them in a brown paper sack, LOL! Buying presents and trying to hide them so the kids don't see. The kids are with me pretty much 24/7, when am I supposed to buy these things without them seeing them, much less hide them. Ok, I guess I'm sounding a little like Scrouge (sp), but I'm not. I love Christmas and always have a healthy dose of Christmas spirit. I guess I'm just realizing how sometimes I gave Ginger a hard time over some things when I had no idea what I was talking about (I'm sorry sweatheart!).

 

[JeanR]

Well, speaking as the person who has done the
Christmas shopping for 4 kids over the years, the best thing to do is start early, buy as much on the internet as you can, and have it shipped to Mom-Mom's house.

The hard part for me this year will be the wrapping. That is something Terry and I always did together after the kids went to bed in the evenings. It was always fun working together, always trying to get the scissors or scotch tape from each other, hoping not to run out of wrapping paper, making sure each kid's pile was even (at least money wise!).

And, as much as I am telling you to start early, I haven't even begun yet. Guess I need to follow my own advice.

Our daughter and her husband are not arriving home from Germany until the 26th, so we are delaying our Christmas until the night of the 27th. Don't know if this will help or not--time will tell.

 

[Ruth~]

Christmas shopping isn't easy. Some don't even bother to do it but you did and that's great!

 

[faithgoeson]

Ok, I admit it. All the time that is required in Christmas shopping for 4 children, grandmas, teachers, etc. I took for granted. I never really understood why Ginger would spend so much time doing this. Buying things and having to return them for another size, organizing the kids gifts so that no one got more presents than the other or had more money spent on one over the other. And this wrapping thing is TOUGH. All my presents look like I wrapped them in a brown paper sack, LOL! Buying presents and trying to hide them so the kids don't see. The kids are with me pretty much 24/7, when am I supposed to buy these things without them seeing them, much less hide them. Ok, I guess I'm sounding a little like Scrouge (sp), but I'm not. I love Christmas and always have a healthy dose of Christmas spirit. I guess I'm just realizing how sometimes I gave Ginger a hard time over some things when I had no idea what I was talking about (I'm sorry sweatheart!).

I wish we could all be there to help you. I've been doing this widowed parent thing for quite a few Christmas' now, and it never gets easier. This year, I searched online for free or nearly free shipping offers at my favorite places to shop. I ordered all of my kids gifts online, and they come in a box at the Post Office. Most of the come in seperate boxes, so all I have to do is wrap that. The ones that do come packaged together, I just have to lock myself up and wrap them as soon as I can possibly do so. The "Santa" gifts have always been ordered online, too. When the kids aren't paying attention, I have a special spot in the closet for them. The tricky part is getting them down at night without waking anyone up Christmas Eve! The first 3 Christmas', I completely forgot about Santa and ended up making a mad dash at it at 4 a.m. It's hard to get used to that stuff alone. I wish I could say it gets easier, but it's still a pain in the somethin or other. Just know you are not alone.

 

[ComesoonmyLORD]

Yeah I'm finding the online shopping things works very well, for just the reasons you've listed. I do have some help this year with getting the presents out Christmas Eve. My two older ones should make good little elves this time, lol. I have a couple of friends at work who have volunteered to help with wrapping. "Santa has girly hand writing doesn't he dad?", LOL. I have to have a woman write out the tags for me. I write pretty much like a doctor. All in all I think it'll go well. I'm really starting to feel the spirit this week. Pictures with Santa, egg nog, cookies, etc. Yummy for MY tummy! Oh yeah, I share a little with the kids too!

 

[faithgoeson]

Yeah I'm finding the online shopping things works very well, for just the reasons you've listed. I do have some help this year with getting the presents out Christmas Eve. My two older ones should make good little elves this time, lol. I have a couple of friends at work who have volunteered to help with wrapping. "Santa has girly hand writing doesn't he dad?", LOL. I have to have a woman write out the tags for me. I write pretty much like a doctor. All in all I think it'll go well. I'm really starting to feel the spirit this week. Pictures with Santa, egg nog, cookies, etc. Yummy for MY tummy! Oh yeah, I share a little with the kids too!

It's good to some Christmas cheer. I know it isn't easy, but you're doing a good thing for the kids. God bless you.

 

[ComesoonmyLORD]

Well I got the first load of Santa gifts up into the attic safely, lol. Even got some of my gifts wrapped and under the tree. Now if I could just figure out more about this thing called IRONING! LOL.

 

[faithgoeson]

Well I got the first load of Santa gifts up into the attic safely, lol. Even got some of my gifts wrapped and under the tree. Now if I could just figure out more about this thing called IRONING! LOL.

lol What's an iron?

 

[JeanR]

My rule of thumb when clothes shopping: if it has to be ironed, don't buy it.

 

[ComesoonmyLORD]

I agree, but my work is business casual. I prefer to wear long sleeve, button shirts. I buy the wrinkle resistant variety but they don't always look that good without the ironing. Pants do fine, but I always dislike the shirts when they come out of the dryer.

 

[JeanR]

Well, it only costs $1 to get a shirt washed, starched, and pressed at the dry cleaners. And, they do a wonderful job. When you think about it, it costs more than $1 for you to wash it, dry it, and iron it. That's what my husband did and he always looked so nice. They did a much better job than I ever did. Just food for thought!

 

[ComesoonmyLORD]

It sounds like I need to look up a new dry cleaner. I pay much more than $1 for press only at my current cleaners.