Thursday, December 17, 2009

Bah humbug to Christmas shopping

My favorite part of Christmas shopping is usually finding the one perfect gift for someone and waiting for them to open it up on Christmas morning. One year it was a digital camera for my mom, back when 2.5 megapixels was cutting edge. My sister, dad and I split the cost three ways. Last year it was accessories for walking the dog (yes, I know it doesn't get THAT cold in California, but it's cold enough to us lifelong residents), including Ugg boots and a cashmere scarf.

I usually get more excited about seeing other people open their gifts than anticipating what I am getting. But something was off this year. Maybe it's that several friends and family members asked not to exchange gifts because money is tight. And perhaps that's the other thing, money is a little more tight for me this year (guess I shouldn't have bought tickets to two U2 concerts in one year).

Mostly I think its that I wasn't very inspired so far this year. I really haven't felt like going to any stores to shop, and online shopping is much better if you know what you want already. I tried Amazon.com, where my mom and sister both have wish lists, but I feel a little bit like its cheating if I just put something in the online shopping cart. And most of the stuff on my mom's wishlist was kitchen-related and I feel bad buying a Christmas gift that I am as likely to use as she is.

I have a Christmas gift for my sister. But I still need to get something for my dad and mom. With my dad I can always go with the old standby of cologne, which he loves to use WAY too much so he's always in need of more. I'm still stuck for my mom, though.

I went out tonight to a few places, but the slow service and long lines on a work night left me with little patience. So though it might be even worse, I guess I am going to head to the mall first thing Saturday morning, do some power shopping and hopefully get home by noon. Maybe inspiration will hit somewhere between Macy's or Nordstrom's.

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