It's sad, but I'm dreading the weekend.

[thenea]

This weekend is about the only time I have to finish my Christmas shopping. So that's what I'll be spending the weekend doing. *sigh* The big problem with this is that I don't have any good ideas for what to get people. That means I will be wandering around aimlessly hoping the perfect gifts jump out at me. This usually ends up with me being quite

Comments

[ajollypyruvate]

What about shopping online or by catalog?

[thenea]

I would have had to do that about a week ago because I need several of these presents by Thursday. (Which actually means by Wednesday because I will not be anywhere I can easily get packages on Thursday.) Even with fast shipping doing it now would be cutting it close what with processing time and what not. I also have the same problem of what to get people and it's much easier to browse a wide variety of stuff in front of me on a store shelf than it is on the internet. If I know what I'm getting, the internet is infinitely superior, but it's very bad (at least for those of us without the shopping gene) for getting inspired by something unexpected and completely unconsidered before that moment sort of browsing.

I may try a bit of on-line shopping tonight after my first hit at the shops. It's probably the last moment that I would be comfortable ordering something to be shipped.

[ms_issicran]

Don't you just love the ads right now. "Take advantage of this shopportunity!", "It's a Shoptastic Deal!", "Take note, you Shopaholics!"

Give me a break...

[thenea]

*shudder*

[saminz]

I hear you...

Exactly the same here - except for the time pressure. I can do the rest of my shopping on the last day, even.

Since I've given up hope of finding stuff anyone really needs and my tastes differ hugely from every one else's I've settled on things that are doing a good work on the side. Palestinian olive oil from cooperatives that try to outsmart trade restrictions while producing organic top quality. Candles in worked tins by a project for young alcoholics. Cards and booklets from "helvetas", who do all kinds of charities around the world.

Good luck on your excursion!

Thanks!

[thenea]

I did pretty well. There are a couple gifts I'm still looking for, but I may just get a gift card or two and forget the whole thing.

My tastes differ from others too. Some years that doesn't matter because I manage to interpolate something in between and everyone is happy. This year it just isn't working that way.

I'm just glad that in 2 weeks (or a hair less) this whole thing will be over and I can get on with my life. How sad is that for Christmas spirit?

Re: Thanks!

[saminz]

Do you define yourself as a Christian at all...?

I don't do much Christmas Spirit, either, to be honest. So not only don't I miss it, I also won't feel guilty about this fact :-p.

I have found a couple of nice things at helvetas today, so am looking forward to giving those to the youngsters, and glad I could leave my cash someplace I would donate to anyway. Enough "spirit" for me, thank you ;-).

I am looking forward to two long weekends in a row though :-D.

Re: Thanks!

[thenea]

Not really, but I do celebrate my own version of the holiday, usually clothed in Solstice celebrations rather than Christmas. Or I would if my family didn't take my time and urge me to do it their way. And I'm not really celebrating the Solstice because of any specific religious thing, it's more to mark the occasion of another passage of this weary world around the sun. The Solstice is a fact of physics and so I can celebrate it without the need to resort to religion or mysticism. It's been shown that holidays to mark time, take breaks, and have celebrations is good for the human psyche. I agree, so I pick the most reasonable thing to celebrate and try to enjoy. Only this year I don't seem to have any holiday spirit. At all. *sigh* It just makes it more difficult to get through the things I have to this time of year.

You are right though. Two long weekends in a row is a good thing. :)