Gifting

I have bought one present this year, so far.

I am HORRIBLE at giving gifts. Partially, it is because whenever I go to buy something for someone else, I just spend my money on myself. And partially because I really want my gift to be meaningful and appreciated. Not just, "Oh, thanks. I can use this!" but you know, the type of gift Oprah or Ellen gives that has the recipient weeping at their generosity. I've been on the receiving end of those types of gifts, and it's amazing.

I'm almost always that type that lives by the motto: Go big, or go home. If I can't get my dinner party or friend's birthday party, heck, if I can't get my house, to look the way I want it, well, I might as well give up or not even do it in the first place.

So I end up not buying people anything, because, I have a hard time thinking that a $10 gift certificate to Hot Head is sufficient. But I also can't afford earrings at Tiffany's to give to my sister. It doesn't help that my family is ridiculous to shop for -- I feel like I'm incredibly easy to shop for: just give me books, old maps, home goods...pretty much empty out Target and I would be incredibly happy.

The few times I've really thought I nailed a present, the person is not nearly as excited as I hoped, and it just takes away all the fun.

So now I'm down to two days before Christmas and one present. Today is one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Everyone is doing their last minute shopping, and I don't want to be a part of it. I can feel my Christmas Cheer meter just dropping with the thought of being out in the chaos and traffic. Shudder. But I know that my siblings all tried to find something nice for me, and so I have to - I really want to - return the favor.

Another Reason to Shop Online

I got off work late, had to scrape my car off for the second time today, and found that the roads were still...treacherous. I drove home about 20 mph under my usual and with my hazards on. I still had both hands on the wheel, my back ramrod straight, and my heart in my throat. For the record, it was not even still snowing.

So, considering the 15- turned 30-minute drive home, I decided that I was in no way going to go out and run all the errands that I needed to do. Instead, I've sat down and started shopping online. Yup I'm buying light bulbs online.

If today is any indication of what winter is going to be like (and I'm not just talking about the weather), then this is going to be a long, dreary winter. Let's hope it is NOT indicative of what this season is going to bring.