I don’t shop, as everybody lives in other states, so they all get a check. They wouldn’t like it if I actually sent a gift. Since there are now 18 people in my family..children, grandchildren. great grandchildren, childrens’ and grandchildrens’ husband/wives it would be quite daunting to buy gifts for that many. I did buy gifts for some of my friends.

I’m getting smarter and smarter . . . and ALL of my major gifts — and I won’t even tell you how many they run to — I have ordered mainly from Amazon to be sent directly. No postage, wonderful cartons and stuffing all done by someone else but me — no haunting liquor store for heavy boxes for shipping — now a thing of the past. I let them wrap — and it looks beautiful — so it only takes making major decisions in the first place that about drive me up the wall!!! Oh that … and probably paying the bills this year … but talk to me in January about that. Make yourself a merry little Christmas by letting the elves do the work … and for the second year in a row, look — no standing in lines!!!

…let’s just say that I am perhaps the world’s biggest procrastinator and leave it at that. *sigh*

Yessiree, Got it all done, wrapped up beautifully and good to give!

I am not sure. Every time I turn around I get pulled away from the Christmas task to solve business problems, or my oldest son getting snowed in up in seattle and the airport closes, my dog (13 yrs old) got sick, an old friend called because they were diagnosed with the big C big bummer but gotta keep the cheer…fa la la la la la la la laaaaaa ;-). Because one way or another it all works out. I make extra goodies and just have the tag signed from us, and if anyone extra shows up, they always have something. What I haven’t finished is wrapping and making sure I have all the stuff I need for Christmas Brunch. Times like this I wish I could cook like Julia.

I did my shopping on the Internet………. Bought pretty and cute Christmas Bags………… Made it fairly easy this year. I’m almost to the point of wanting to just write checks and let them buy what they want.

There’s a lot of shopping that just won’t get done this year because of Mother’s surgery. Life has been a whirlwind this past week, riddled with freaky little foul-ups (like rubber spoos breaking, and the car keys sliding out of my gloved hands into a bag of gifts…weird stuff…) but Mother’s in rehab, doing very well. Walking, laughing…eating chocolate. And my daughter’s here with me and seems to be getting stronger every day. I saw my baby grand daughter last week. And I’ve been wrapping like a fool. The first box hits the post office today, so I’m a little behind schedule, but not too bad…and very grateful that everything has worked out as well as it has. In fact, overall, I’d say we’re having just a lovely Christmas! (whew!)

ahem…that’s “spoons” not spoos.

Still have wrapping to do, bought these enormous rolls of recycled Christmas paper a few years ago and am sick of them but am still being “green” & green.

I’ve been finished for a couple weeks now, but still awaiting something bought online which was supposed to have been delivered by dec 18th, so I guess that means another trip out to replace that gift in case it doesn’t show. Unfortunately, with all this white stuff- getting out of my neighborhood to a main street may prove the biggest challenge of all…. With all the hustle, bustle, cynicism and greed going around these days, i still love Christmastime. It’s a magical time to get together and enjoy my loving family, who can’t always be together year round.

shopped, wrapped, under the tree. I like to get things done early so I have time to really think about what I’m giving each person and I don’t feel last minute stress. I shop throughout the year as I travel.

It costs so much to mail big packages I’ve started sending money and gift cards to my children clear across the US. Since I’ve got 18 grandchildren now I give the little ones under 3 a gift and the others get money. Hubby and I pretty much get what we want thru the year so aren’t doing gifts this year. Got all the baking done and disbursed yesterday and now the week is free for me to look for the spirit of Christmas! We are making a little trip to San Diego to watch the Charger/Broncho game so that is probably our special gift to ourselves this year!

Shopping done , Grandkids get money, I am not into the Mp3 gadgets, that is not my budget. If they are not content with what this Grandma/Santa brings then they can return it to me. Remember I am scrooge about Christmas. But to all of you I do wish a very great Holiday, Lee have a great Hanukka (forgot the spelling) .