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Christmas Shopping

December 13th, 2015 at 12:14 pm

I really hate Christmas shopping, I have to admit. I hate to spend the money and I never feel like I'm getting anything anybody wants.

That said, I got some done. A book for my BFF: $18. Christmas napkins in caddies for the girlfriends: $30. A "Frozen" snackeez for my granddaughter: $10. A water bottle for my DIL's mom: $26. A rainproofing umbrella for my son: $24. Veggie crispers & scrubber for my DIL: $23. Night vision goggles for my grandson: $10. Sketch projector for my other grandson: $15. A toy for my son's dog: $5. (I promised) A $100 Target gift card for my son & DIL in Florida, who are buying a house. It's a good beginning.

I also bought myself a humidifier because it was half-price - $25. I got a box of filters for the aquarium: $25.

Then I stopped at Aldi and spent $27 on: eggs, tuna, gravy, pumpkin pie mix, mushrooms, sourdough bread, spreadable margarine, muffin mix, two jars of jelly, almond milk, peanut butter, crescent rolls, kitty litter and a poinsettia. The poinsettia was only $4, but I went back and forth about it. Finally got it, and I'm glad -- it looks so pretty in my dining room.

Before I went shopping I had the meetup with the incoming treasurer. We had brunch after switching the account; my share was $17. We went to a restaurant that caters to vegetarians, so my eggs benedict were served over spinach and tomato rather than Canadian bacon. A little strange, but healthy, I'm sure. This I will write off as a business expense.

I haven't figured out yet what this has done to my variables budget, but I knew December would be bad.

Today's menu:

Breakfast: Hot Pocket
Lunch: Turkey Manhattan
Dinner: Lasagna? (if I make it)

6 Responses to “Christmas Shopping”

  1. creditcardfree Says:
    1450013546

    I think you bought nice gifts! With that said, why do it? I've learned over the years that many people feel this way. They would almost not like to get gifts they don't like. They also don't like buying gifts from a list someone gave them.

    I think gift giving should be inspired. You see an item or experience you know the person would like and you give it to them then...when you are inspired! One should feel obligated to give a gift just because it happens to be an occasion. Yes, even Christmas.

    My sister and I (along with our husbands and my parents) are no longer giving each other birthday and Christmas gifts. I told my sister I'd rather they use the money they would spend on us for themselves. And spend the time they would have spent looking for gifts for themselves as well. Do you know what a stress reliever this is for people?!

    Something to consider...

  2. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1450020259

    I agree with CCF. It sounds like you found some really great gifts! However, if it's not giving you pleasure to do it ... then why do it? My brother and I long ago agreed to not exchange birthday or Christmas gifts - but once in awhile we might send each other something that catches our eye/thought that we think the other might really like/enjoy. I do buy my mom something for Christmas/birthday mainly because I know how important it is to her to be remembered with *something.* Other than that, I prefer to do something for people when I'm with them (like treating my Aunt and Grandma to a mani/pedi while I was in CA) otherwise, I don't worry about gifts and likewise don't expect any. Smile

  3. Livingalmostlarge Says:
    1450027945

    Cool gifts. You put in thought and that's what matters.

  4. CB in the City Says:
    1450042461

    My only choice would be to opt out while everyone else exchanged, and I'm not comfortable with that either. I just have to stop being so sensitive about how my gifts are perceived.

  5. ceejay74 Says:
    1450151079

    I'm lucky that my friends don't exchange gifts. Although my downstairs neighbors bought me a AWESOME gift of Ikea shelves for my book nook last year, so I may get them something. I can't beat a room full of bookshelves so I may just make them some homemade vegetarian "meats" that I know they like.

    I basically just get stuff for my nuclear family (partners & kids) and my parents. Luckily my siblings don't exchange gifts. Once in a while one of them will get inspired and send something, but it's not a regular thing. Lots of people like to get gifts for our kids (grandparents, some of my siblings, some child-free friends) but we wouldn't notice if they all stopped doing it. Hopefully they just see stuff they want to get them and don't feel any obligation!

  6. My English Castle Says:
    1450155944

    It seems like I have a lot of obligatory gifts for staff at work. Everything else is going to be fun, I hope. But I know the drudgery of shopping.

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