So, yes, I did brave the crowds on the Friday after THANKSGIVING. I get a big adrenaline kick out of it. I enjoy the fresh Christmas spirit, the cheery music blaring over the mall intercoms, and the tables of discounted products. I don't shop with much of an agenda, so I am never disappointed by not finding what I wanted. Now of course, on the record, I was out and about to get a head start on my Christmas shopping. The problem is, I kept getting distracted by the clothes in my own size and the discounted items that happen to be on my wish list.
While I believe in the principle of "it is better to give than to receive," I hate buying gifts for other people. I really do. It's such a balancing act between a person's wants, needs, and the stuff that they already own. I have a very deep-seated aversion to being wrong, and the last thing I want to do is show up on Christmas day with my gift, only to find out that it is the wrong size, style, or it is a duplicate of a hated sweater at the top of the recipient's closet.
My judgment is impaired when I go out shopping at a mall. I become immorally self-absorbed, and I exercise all of my creativity in rationalizing purchases other than the ones that I intended to make. So this year, my solution is to Christmas shop online.
Two sites will make this a breeze. One is www.gifts.com. If you haven't noticed this link on the side of this blog, shame on you! This website is guaranteed hours of fun and inspiration as you think up the perfect gift for the people on your list. You can shop directly from the site, or you can steal the ideas and go find knock-offs at your local Marshall's.
The other site is my all time favorite, www.amazon.com. I assumed that Amazon was as well known to people as Wal Mart, and I was shocked the other day when I had a friend ask me what sorts of things one could buy from there. It's got a great feature called a wish list, which you should beg all of your friends and loved ones to maintain. It's the fun and convenience of a gift registry all life long.
Happy shopping!
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6 comments:
I agree with you ... I prefer to do my shopping online any time of year but especially at Christmas. thanks for the tip of www.gifts.com
I shop from Amazon.com and Target.com for all of our gift needs. Amazon ships internationally for reasonable rates and they have great service. I bought all of our family's presents from Target.com last year & they were great about customer service. Plus, if you accidentally pick out the wrong size or a sweater your Aunt Thelma thinks is ugly, there are Target stores everywhere that they can return it.
And, I agree that wish lists are brilliant!
I've started shopping! Woo hoo! I'm on the lookout for a pretty wreath for the front door. Who knew wreaths were so expensive!
I made my own wreath this year, and it turned out really great (if I do say so). I bought a plain green wreath from Hobby Lobby and hot glued ornament balls to it. Easy, cheap, and attractive.
I just bought one at Target for $10. Although I really wanted the one for $60, I like this one OK. I don't use my front door, so I don't want something too elaborate that I can't enjoy.
A world of caution to those shopping online... DOUBLE CHECK the ship dates. I didn't get an alert message until the very end that said my item wouldn't ship until January 16! Just, keep a look out...
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