OK, I'm done!

[Khampelf]

One major push. I did all the shopping I needed to do in one day. Fortunately, my list was pretty short this year. The brothers and I decided to give the present thing a miss this year, to focus on the kidlings.

The family is not having any one big gathering, everyone is doing something with the inlaws side. I'll go down and spend the afternoon with the 'rents next Saturday.

I even braved the mall, because Barnes and Nobel always has an awesome selection of calendars. That's what I give, calendars. Useful all year, and maybe even remind the recipient of me every time the look at it. The various themes let me personalize the choice to select something I know they'll want to look at for a month at a time. I think by now, everyone knows what to expect from me. "Should we buy a new calendar?" "Nah, Khampelf will be giving us one, I'm sure."

So, where y'all at with the shopping thing progress-wise?

.

[Dragonlady]

I'm done. Finished yesterday. Now to get three boxes of stuff wrapped up, boxed up and ready to ship.

[wring]

been done for a long time except stuff that needs to be picked up nearer the date (like the thick cut peppered bacon) and still assembling photo album of people drinking from the Snookie cup. There;s a bunch of peoplr procrastinating about sending me the pics- if they ain't here early this week, they'll miss the deadline.

[severe delays]

I bought a couple of things for a friend and a lamp for me.

I don't stress about shopping. I like to buy things that I think the recipient will really like but if I can't think of anything then there's plenty of stuff out there that most people will like well enough. It's a token thing anyway, it's mostly about being with family again, chilling out and having snow fights.

[bufftabby]

Whadja get me?

[Khampelf]

I had all my calendars wrapped by volunteers right there in the bookstore, and tipped em a fiver. They will soooooo know I didn't wrap them. I've been known to wrap presents in the Sunday funny papers, secured with masking tape.

[Khampelf]

Originally Posted by bufftabby

Whadja get me?

A calendar, what else?

[wring]

Originally Posted by Khampelf

I've been known to wrap presents in the Sunday funny papers, secured with masking tape.

That's a bad thing?

[Dragonlady]

Originally Posted by Khampelf

I had all my calendars wrapped by volunteers right there in the bookstore, and tipped em a fiver. They will soooooo know I didn't wrap them. I've been known to wrap presents in the Sunday funny papers, secured with masking tape.

My son used plastic grocery bags and duct tape.

[severe delays]

Originally Posted by Dragonlady

My son used plastic grocery bags and duct tape.

Recycling. Good lad.

[Falcon]

My parents used to get me a calendar every year--I loved it!

I was done weeks ago, but I have a short list. I still need to draw a picture for my younger niece, though. I got her and her sister drawing pads. For the younger, I got markers. For the eldest, water soluble colored pencils. And I'm giving each of them a drawing I've done. I also gave the eldest some basic tips on how I use colored pencils, since she was in awe, apparently, when she saw a jpg of the drawing I'm giving her and asked, "How did she do that?"

The youngest is still too little to care, so no tips for her. Just a picture.

[Dragonlady]

He is a VERY good lad, but not for his gift wrap.

(There was wrapping paper in the house, already purchased.)

[Khampelf]

When I was cleaning out the RV, I came across Xmas wrapping paper in the cabover and was all like "I should throw this out." Glad I didn't. I put it somewhere I could remember where it was, and just used some today. Not every single present was a calendar, I got my dad a multi-tool with a holster for his belt.

[bufftabby]

Originally Posted by Khampelf

A calendar, what else?

I love it! <3

[Panacea]

I'm done too, thank goodness. I have one box to mail to Massachusetts. I'm waiting on a gift to arrive from Amazon so I can pack it.

[Khampelf]

Hooray for done!

Maybe I'll make cookies tomorrow...

[CrazyCatLady]

I'm really, really close to being done. We're placing the last Amazon order tomorrow, and I need to assemble some gift baskets, pick up a few stocking stuffers, and hem a skirt once the bias finishes stretching. But the real work, the figuring out what we're getting people, is all done.

[Khampelf]

I'm making the cookies! Peanut butter-coconut-walnut cookies.

The dough is in the refrigerator for the obligatory hour, then I can get to rolling balls and making the little hash marks with the fork. fun fun fun!

[Pencil]

Originally Posted by Dragonlady

My son used plastic grocery bags and duct tape.

You know your son is a redneck when,,,


I'll do my shopping the 24th, as usual. Stores are empty, no hassle and there's just my mom and I, so it's not that I have a lot of stuff to buy anyway.


I like the concept of calendar and I'm gonna shamelessly steal it from you, Khampy.

[Falcon]

Originally Posted by Khampelf

I'm making the cookies! Peanut butter-coconut-walnut cookies.

The dough is in the refrigerator for the obligatory hour, then I can get to rolling balls and making the little hash marks with the fork. fun fun fun!

Those sound utterly delicious! Enjoy!

[Veb]

Just taped up the last box, ready to drop off at the post office tomorrow. (It's going to Patience so shhh, can't tell you what's in it.) Have all the "work folks" gifts ready to take in. The only thing left to do is monitor some of the gifts that were drop shipped to make sure they arrive okay.

So whew! all done for another year.

[Amythyst]

I'm almost done. I got gifts for everyone except my mom, who wants to pick out clothes for herself. We're going to go shopping before Christmas (she promised to act surprised when she opens her packages). Everything else is wrapped and sitting under the tree.

[Dragonlady]

Got all my out of town mailing done.
Shopping is done.
All thats left is wrapping the "in town" stuff.

[Khampelf]

I mailed the one package that needed mailing. I could go into cold sleep suspended animation until new year's, except for, you know, having to work for money and stuff.

[Knee]

I haven't bought a single present. Seriously. I'm screwed.

[GreyCloud9]

I bought Hit girl a couple small presents, and presents for a cousin and have gotten Rock and Rain's kids presents. Other than that, haven't done anything else

[Khampelf]

I think I'd like to see the custom for gift giving at the holidays limited to children. Adult gift giving to me has become a matter of obligation and prestige. The three wise men didn't give gifts to Joseph and Mary, but to the baby Jesus.
It should break down like this, you get presents until you're twelve, at 18 you start giving presents to your younger family members. The holidays should be about goodwill and universal siblinghood, not cultural extortion and financial ruin.

[wring]

I just officially started next years by visiting a closeout artist sale and picking out some paints, brushes and canvases for sister in la and brother's daughter. Also picked up 10 pounds of thick cut peppered bacon for the in laws when we get there next week

[Khampelf]

Started next year's shopping? With this Christmas still yet to be?

You are a serious over-achiever Wring.


I mean I was feeling all good 'cuz I didn't do all my shopping on Xmas eve like I've been known to do.

[wring]

[Carolia]

I got all my shopping finished yesterday (I only had a few things to pick up for hubby with the girl's help). I got lots for her, a few things for hubby, and some clothes for my mom, who can't get out to buy things like that for herself. We're not exchanging with hubby's parents, save a few little things the girl wanted to get for them. Mainly, it's all about her when it comes to presents. Besides, I'll read all her books when she's done, and I'll help her make the Star Wars cupcakes, so it's all good!

Oh, and I got a Target gift card for her teacher, along with cards for the art, music, Spanish and PE teachers, as well as the crossing guards who are all kinds of nice. I wish I could have done more, but there are too many of them!

[shamrock]

I finally finished yesterday. I have never in my life waited so late. I was seriously sweating it. Usually I am done before Thanksgiving.

I am still waiting for some pearls for Mom to arrive but hopefully they will be here on time. But I fill her stocking and have another little present so at least I won't have nothing at all for her if they don't show in time

I had no idea what I was going to get for my Dad. Yesterday I stopped in Bed, Bath and Beyond for a few last stocking stuffers for Mom. They didn't have anything I wanted and was about to leave when I decided to browse the store. And the skies opened and the angels sang and lo and behold there was a telescope - on sale half price no less - and a beautiful, walnut organizer to hold his watch and cell AND it has a coin counter bank built in. (I also found a snowman kit for his stocking - felt hat and scarf, "coal" for the eyes and mouth and a "carrot" nose - yes it's for kids - no I don't care

I'm making candy today and maybe baking some cookies. Pie baking tomorrow. And, finishing up any cookies I didn't bake this weekend after work Tuesday. Then there's nothing left but the wrapping (I hate wrapping).

[Euryphaessa]

Fedex claims my boyfriend's present will be here by Tuesday. I hope they're right, since I'm leaving the province for a week on Thursday and I'd really like time to, y'know, give him the present.