changethetape

White Elephant: What are the gifts you’re looking forward to giving, or hoping to receive?

My goal every year is to be done with my Christmas shopping by Thanksgiving. I have two very simple reasons for this self-imposed deadline.

1. I worked in a mall for many years. Christmas time is miserable for mall-workers. Now that I no longer work in a mall, I try to avoid the crazy as well as keep from putting any more pressure on the fine folks just trying to do their jobs this holiday season.
2. But more importantly, I find when I wait until December, it feels more like a scramble and less like thoughtfulness.

I try to keep an eye out year-round for gifts for people. I learned this trick from Ginzo, as she too, tries to be done with her shopping by Thanksgiving.

This year, I basically nailed it. Maybe a stocking-stuffer here or there still needed, but the big stuff? DONE! And I have to say, I feel pretty good about my gifts this year. My sister and I usually default to giving experiences rather than material items (though, she might be the best gift giver among us, so any route she goes, I know I’ll make out!) and I followed suit this year with my mom.

Luckily, I can share at least one of my favorite gifts because it’s already been given. Ginzo and I are both big Nashville fans – the TV show and the city – if you like country music, I don’t know how you wouldn’t adore both. One of the stars of the show came to The Birchmere over Thanksgiving weekend so I got tickets. She LOVED it and so did I!! The show was fantastic and we had a great time.

The gift I’m most looking forward to is getting to go to Connecticut for Christmas.

Could someone remind me of this while Mark and I are sitting in traffic on our way up? 😉