My sister told me last night that she is pretty much done with her Christmas shopping. What?! I know, she's not the only one, and maybe the rest of you are done, too. But I haven't even started.
I seem to have this attitude that there is no urgency in shopping- it is only December 3 after all- but then I look at the calendar and realize there are really only three weekends till Christmas! Luckily, since I work from home, my schedule during the week is flexible, so I can go then. But unluckily, the next two week are busy at work!
At some point, I'm going to have to get a list together and go face the consumerism.
It is kind of uncharacteristic for me to not be totally gung ho about shopping. I did buy some new outside lights yesterday, so that is a start I think, but I am still not in the "Christmas" spirit.
Or maybe I am, in a spiritual sense. Advent is a time of quiet waiting. Waiting for an event that will change your life. Waiting for an event that is so awesome and amazing and joyful. Mary & Joseph did not roll into Bethlehem blaring celebratory music with a donkey full of perfectly wrapped gifts. They silently snuck in to a town that had no idea what it was in for that night.
That is how I feel. I feel quiet.
But we are hosting my family for Christmas, and Lord knows I want our home to look like a Crate & Barrel catalog. I want there to always be an open wine bottle and Bailey's coffee in the crockpot. I want there to be good food and family games until 1am. I want this to be the merriest, funnest, happiest Christmas we've ever had together. I feel like everything will have to be perfect and entertaining to make up for the fact that there won't be any kids' faces to watch as we read the story of Christmas or open gifts we've selected for each other.
But of course no one has the money to buy the whole fancy Christmas catalog things (or maybe some do, but I'm not sure it is worth it). I'm sure I can make things look very festive with some help from Target.
And I'm sure once I get my head in the game, as they say, I will be just as giddy as they next person in line at BB&B. I do love wrapping things for people, imagining them as they open the package!
But for now I feel behind everyone else this Christmas season. What else is new, with all the ways I've felt behind this year. At some point maybe I'll catch up with the rest of society!
11 comments:
I'm feeling behind, too. I have no idea what to get anyone or when I'll be able to go shopping. I fear I'm going to be one of those people I make fun of - out in a frenzy trying to get last minute gifts the week of Christmas!
Haha. I haven't purchased one single thing yet this year. Not one. I do have the tree up though, but I wasn't happy about it. Also, I absolutely agree with you. This season is supposed to be about slowing down, reflecting, being appreciative of God's gifts, and spending quality time with those we love. Joyous is different than fun, and is very different from hectic. Think of Mary's Magnificat. It's like a deep breath of peace and unfathomable joy.
I'm sure eventually, perhaps Christmas Eve, I'll feel the pressure to go to the store and sing Santa songs... but not for a while. Or maybe I'll get all my gifts online and have them delivered. *sigh* That sounds like the best plan. :)
I agree with Coco! I haven't bought a single present. And I am not sure when I will. So, you are SOOOO not behind!
As for decorating...Target does have some nice stuff. And you don't have to go overboard...just add a few nice touches here or there.
I did 99% of my shopping online. No lines, great deals, free shipping and I bought it all on my couch in my pajamas. :) In my opinion, online Christmas shopping is an infertile's best friend this time of year!
I've always thought that you can do an outrageously beautiful Christmas (not that I'm organized enough ever to have pulled this off) for super-cheap. You can buy ornaments and decorations at thrift stores for a song, and the older ones are more beautiful IMHO. Beautiful wrapping paper costs pennies. White candles and white lights everywhere are inexpensive. Pine garland isn't bad either. The Christmas cards for the mantel and doorframes will arrive all by themselves. Put out some of the crystal and silver you've got in the back of the cupboard and you'll have decor fit for Norman Rockwell. Crate and Barrel would have you believe that you need expensive blown-glass tchockes and special Christmas-season throw pillows and expensive scented pinecones (pine cones are FREE, people) and elaborate and pricey FAKE wreaths and Christmas "filler" for your random useless decorative apothecary jars (which may be the strangest penchant of the contemporary age, from my point of view. I do not dust. Why would I own anything that serves only to collect dust that is not actually art?). These temptations are the work of Satan and THEY MUST BE RESISTED.
Have a blessed Advent :).
I was in denial about Thanksgiving too until the day before. But procrastination didn't kill me. I'm even more in denial about Christmas but I'm sure that procrastination won't be as gentle to me. But when I asked MIL if we can forgo gifts this year she whole heartedly agreed. :)
Holiday shopping is stressful. We still have to shop for hubby's side of the family and we have no idea what we are getting his parents. You are not alone. Your christmas plans sound great ;)
I have bought one gift so far, and that was weeks ago (or months?) - something I found for my sister by accident while I was out. But now...with everything that's going on, I might end up just purchasing something for my nephew and letting everyone else (all adults, mind you) make do with a handwritten card...
Still, I've been itching to decorate, put up a wreath, possibly buy a Christmas tree, but the house stuff is putting that all on hold, too!
I'm sure your house will look beautiful! I like to get all of my shopping done before I get out for break at school so I can relax those 2 weeks I'm out. So I'm almost finished :)
I'm sure your house will look beautiful and your family will have a blast! Idk if you have a Hobby Lobby where you live but we just got one. Things are very reasonable there. I'm sure you'll be able to find tons of stuff at Target too. =)
Maybe your sister (WINK) has too much extra time on her hands. hehe. Your house always looks lovely and cozy and I'm sure Christmas will be wonderful!!!I can't WAIT.
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