All done!!!!

[Barbara Moulton]

Other than a couple of stocking stuffers for Leisha and the Gilmore Girls Season 5 that she wants (that won't be released until December 15), all my gifts are bought and wrapped and ready to go under the tree Christmas Eve.

[Dana Grant]

Other than a couple of stocking stuffers for Leisha and the Gilmore Girls Season 5 that she wants (that won't be released until December 15), all my gifts are bought and wrapped and ready to go under the tree Christmas Eve.

You know, on that other thread about Brinx and his gifts (#2)?

Your post about your dad & Brinx really touched me and I told you what a great mom you are and how I liked you.

So then I come to this post.

I've decided I don't like you as much as I thought. :)

(LOL -- you know I'm kidding)

OH well::::::::::sigh::::::::::::I HAVE started my Christmas shopping, and it WILL be done before Christmas EVE this year -- so I'm making progress!!! LOL Actually, I'm hoping to do a little next week while I'm in Denver. Maybe I'll get it all done then, who knows.

Shopping is not on my list of things I love to do....so it usually gets pushed down to the bottom of the list of things I NEED to do.......

I do love shopping on the Internet, though -- so my Christmas shopping does get done a bit faster these days.

Oh well......there's always hope. I'm trying to turn over a new leaf. I really am........

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, Barbara! Keep talking like that -- it is inspirational to me!! HA HA

[Barbara Moulton]

I have recurring nightmares around this time of year that it is Christmas Eve and I have not bought any presents!!!!! It's nice to wake up.

The last few years have become much easier for me. My brothers and sisters and I don't exchange anymore. Carl's mom and dad don't do the exchange so really I only have to shop for dad, Carl, the girls and Brinx.

I did some shopping online this year. But I have to be careful that I don't order from the States. A $20 (US) Gilmore Girls T-Shirt for Leisha ended up costing me more than $50 Canadian by the time you calculated shipping and exchange...and the $12 customs bill I received a few weeks after it arrived.

[Dana Grant]

I have recurring nightmares around this time of year that it is Christmas Eve and I have not bought any presents!!!!! It's nice to wake up.

The last few years have become much easier for me. My brothers and sisters and I don't exchange anymore. Carl's mom and dad don't do the exchange so really I only have to shop for dad, Carl, the girls and Brinx.

I did some shopping online this year. But I have to be careful that I don't order from the States. A $20 (US) Gilmore Girls T-Shirt for Leisha ended up costing me more than $50 Canadian by the time you calculated shipping and exchange...and the $12 customs bill I received a few weeks after it arrived.

Hmmmmmmmmm........I have those same nightmares, only I'm awake when they occur!!! HA HA HA

We do not exchange gifts with my in-laws anymore, either. We donate to a charity of their choice in their name, and they do the same in our name. This year they suggested the Humane Society (I think that might have something to do with Lindsey's love for dogs, but I'm not sure)....

We've never exchanged gifts with Bert's brothers & sister -- and that is very nice. It's so nice not having to figure out what to get someone who lives far away -- and yet know that we all love each other and no one is hurt by it.....that is very nice.

However, MY side of the family? Well, it is very difficult to buy for my parents and my sister & brother. I think that's probably what gets me a little discouraged.

As far as Bert, Tyler, and Lindsey -- they are easy. And this year, Tyler is especially easy because he just moved into his apartment and needs pretty much everything -- so buying for him this year has been like giving him an "open house" shower of some sort. New TV, new pots & pans, new towels, new baking ware, etc. etc. (I hope he doesn't read NazNet!).

(And I KNOW that Lindsey reads NazNet, so I can't put HER list on here!! Note to Lindsey: Love you, honey!)

Oh well, I am getting better as I get older, but it is still definitely a CHORE for me!!

And you are right about those shipping charges and all -- I try to shop during times that free shipping or very low shipping is offered. It is definitely a savings.

[Jenny Mitchell]

I'm cheating and doing 'theme' shopping. Last year, our first in IN, we bought everyone these giftboxes of gourmet pickles from an IN pickle company, while my folk and Bob's folks got sweatshirts from the university Bob is working for. this year the nieces and nephews are getting t-shirts from that university, and everyone else is getting giftbaskets from an IN amish company. There's two exceptions to that - we share faith-building gifts with one of my hubby's siblings and my sister, but good old CBD is the answer there.

Of course, I've hardly even started shopping for my immediate family! I let the grandparents have first dibs on the kids' 3 item wish lists, so I have to wait 'til they're done, and they just finished. And I also have to take all the kids shopping - they each get one sibling to buy for with our money, and the older 4 all want to buy a little something for everyone with their own money (can we say 'dollar store?'). That makes a lot of trips for mom. So far 2 of the kids are done. My 5 year old daughter got her 7 year old brother a Scooby Do that sings Christmas songs (60 percent off at Kohls) - groan. I think we'll quickly decide that's an 'upstairs' gift...My 12 year old got his 14 year old brother a new binder for his football cards. My husband is getting one gift this year - a new wedding ring, since he lost his playing basketball. I think most of our gifts will be bought at disability friendly stores - places with wheelchairs or motorized carts. I can walk a store -but it's slow - and I better not forget something and have to backtrack! I do have two backpacks stored for my little ones - I found a Carebears backpack (my daughter's fav) and a Scooby Do backpack (my son's) on clearance at Kohls - and oh, do they have good clearance sales!

Boy, I must be getting tired- ramble, ramble, ramble. I better go to bed instead.

[Gina Stevenson]

... your "can we say dollar store?" reminded me of the cute purple felt cowgirl hat we got for our niece, to go along with her "clippety-clop/neighing/whinnying/shorting" pony we'd found nearly new at a neighbor's garage sale.

Last time I talked to her on the phone -- she was just four -- she told me that her doggie chewed up her purple hat, so she wanted "a purple hat!" Well, when I got it a couple of months ago, it was one of only two then, so not sure if we'll find another "$1.00" purple cowgirl hat or not! ;)

tho't of making one, maybe ... crocheted? BUT, it would go with the instructions to not let it lie on the floor for "doggie" again. :(

[Charlene Clevenger]

We went to JC Penny the other night and I found sweaters for my mother-in-law and my secret sister. They were both on sale, and when we went to the cash register we found that there was another discount. This happened when I shopped there last year for Christmas, too. What a nice surprise!

[Barbara Moulton]

and when we went to the cash register we found that there was another discount.

Oh...I love it when that happens.

[LoraineStanton]

I need to FIND every thing that I've purchased!!!!!

I THINK that I have finished buying for my sister and my mother-in-law. That leaves Paul and my mom to complete. (unless I have forgotten something that I have stashed away!!!) I know I have stuff for 5 of the nieces and nephews. (Anybody know WHERE I put it?!?) Gift cards for the last two. I miss doing gifts with Paul's siblings and my aunt uncle and cousin.

[Barbara Moulton]

I need to FIND every thing that I've purchased!!!!!

I THINK that I have finished buying for my sister and my mother-in-law. That leaves Paul and my mom to complete. (unless I have forgotten something that I have stashed away!!!) I know I have stuff for 5 of the nieces and nephews. (Anybody know WHERE I put it?!?) Gift cards for the last two. I miss doing gifts with Paul's siblings and my aunt uncle and cousin.

LOL! I've sometimes forgotten gifts I've bought :-)