I have to do at least half of my Christmas shopping before the middle of November each year, as so many of my relatives live abroad, mostly in Australia and New Zealand, but also in Canada, USA and South Africa. The latest posting date for many of these zones is fist week in December... That's why the run-up to Christmas seems never-ending in our home!
We have an unwritten rule in our house - the Christmas season begins after Thanksgiving. (unlike stores who exchange Halloween decorations for Christmas, Thanksgiving being totally passed over. We're waiting for the day when Christmas shopping gets kicked off on the 5th of July. Take down Uncle Sam and put up Santa.)
But, I confess I have dreamed more than once of it being Christmas Eve and the holiday had snuck up on us. We have no presents, no tree, no nothing and I am driving like a madwoman to make it to Toys-R-Us before midnight.
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Compassion is the sometimes fatal capacity for feeling what it is like inside somebody else's skin. It is the knowledge that there can never really be any peace and joy for me until there is peace and joy finally for you too. - Frederick Buechner
If society prospers at the expense of the intangibles, how can it be called progress?
I've bought a couple of things that I know are always on someone's list, but the real challenge will be to get lists from my menfolk....
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Where now the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? Where is the helm and the hauberk, and the bright hair flowing? Where is the hand on the harpstring, and the red fire glowing? Where is the spring and the harvest and the tall corn growing? They have passed like rain on the mountain, like a wind in the meadow The days have gone down in the West behind the hills into shadow Who shall gather the smoke of the dead wood burning Or behold the flowing years from the Sea returning? ~ J.R.R. Tolkien
I've bought my mom a present, but I don't know whether or not it's going to be for her birthday (December 17th) or Christmas.
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Mike F.
May the Irish hills caress you. May her lakes and rivers bless you. May the luck of the Irish enfold you. May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.
It's going to be tight this year. I don't think I'll be doing much shopping anyway.
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Caw
"I am a Canadian by birth, but I am a Highlander by blood and feel under an obligation to do all I can for the sake of the Highlanders and their literature.... I have never yet spoken a word of English to any of my children. They can speak as much English as they like to others, but when they talk to me they have to talk in Gaelic."
-Alexander Maclean Sinclair of Goshen (protector of Gaelic Culture)
I bought my first gift yesterday! Usually once I get that first one under my belt it gets easier. Except for my Mum who is very difficult to buy for. My sister and I have more or less agreed to cut back this year. We'll see! I'm still waiting for my boys to tell me what they want Santa to bring them.
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[FONT=Arial][COLOR=green] Justia et Fortituda Invincibilia sunt Maguire Motto
I'm halfway there. 2 more shopping trips and I'll be done. Last year was the first and only time I had all of my shopping done by now. Actually it was nice. Gave me time to concentrate on everything else and not feel like a chicken running around with it's head cut off.
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"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.
Wow...have you guys got it wrong! If you get it done December 26th....look at the bargins...you can sleep in on the 25th.....either that or get a start on next year's shopping.
Happy Yule!
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Magic rules our lives everyday, whether we choose to see it or not!
Group: Celtic Nation
Posts: 117
Joined: 27-Nov-2003 Zodiac: Oak
I feel like a total boob! I start the christmas shopping in January for the following christmas. I buy little things I know everyeone will like. My kids are easy, their ten, builder sets, those mega block dragon sets, and art stuff. They usually buy my dad the newest thing for his work shop, usually sold by Bob Villa-bolt out and such. It's an unwritten rule that no one else can even think about buying that stuff, it's strictly for the boys to buy.
My sister-easy, bath stuff, clothes. She only shops in bargain stores/thrift stores. so she won't have any of the new things out. lol
Aventar- you shop like my aunty. She won't spend a penny till the 26th. I buy the wrapping and bows and such on the 26th, and new ornaments and decorations. I bought this musical snow globe last year on the 26th. It was a double, one on the other with a bear in a hot air balloon in it, and he went around the inside of the globes with the music. Regular $30.00, I only paid $10.00. I love bargains like that.
Kids clothes in the end of season sales, $2.00 for name brand shirts and $5.00 for the pants. I love it.
Sweet kisses after death, are remembered Sweet smiles after death, are recalled Sweet voices after death, are silent Sweet love after death, after all.