Posted on 12/14/2007 5:20:05 PM PST by snugs
How prepared are you for Christmas?
A lot of singles I know and who live on their own do not really do much for Christmas in the way of decorations or buying any special food etc for Christmas. A lot of them get an invite for the day to spend either with friends or family members and therefore their sole preparation is buying a few gifts for the people likely to be at this event and maybe contributing either monetarily to the host/hostess or taking a few food/drink items on the day. So as a single you think you are prepared and will not be caught unawares but you maybe wrong so I thought this weekend I would offer a few suggestions in order that we may not be embarrassed this year
Many stores in Britain and I suspect in the US have tins or large boxes/cartons of sweets (candies) or biscuits (cookies) only available at Christmas and Easter and many have offers on such as 3 for the price of 2 or a special price for buying 2.
A large tin of chocolates or toffees are always acceptable and even if the recipient does not consume them at Christmas often the best before will be Easter or even beyond, having a couple of these in the house can often be useful for that unexpected gift you get, such as a long lost friend or relative ringing and saying I am in your area today/tomorrow can I pop in and almost certainly they will have a card and a small gift for you.
Also if you do not use these for gifts at Christmas they can be used at Easter or for a birthday present next year. In particular Scottish Shortbread is a good one to give as this is a traditional Christmas/New Year treat.
Another idea is that there are presentation boxes of nuts and dried fruit they make a nice gift and again can be stored for Easter or given as birthday presents if not used.
If you are a baker why not make an extra batch of cookies or candies such a rum truffles or home-made fudge or toffee or even mince pies, keep a few little fancy cardboard boxes and some ribbon and they can quickly be used to create up a present for the unexpected visitor.
A tip also if you have been invited out for the day and you think you have the gifts thing covered in case of an unexpected fellow visitor why not take an extra couple of bottle of wine and bottle bags with you so that you can make the person welcome and they have as least one gift to open if present opening is part of the day's celebrations.
Thanks, it's no fun. I guess I'm thankful that she tried to reel me in before setting the hook. If she'd waited a little bit, she might have ended up getting a thousand dollars.
or a snake. (grin)
Your nephew will always look forward to presents from you if you get these unusual, learning toys. At least I hope he’s raised to appreciate stuff like this. Especially if Uncle plays with the toys with him!
They normally come in primary colours which stimulates the child as well.
No, I won't part with the snakes for any woman. They got here first. LOL
I'm not good at the whole playing with kids thing.
The building blocks might work. I’ll have to see what he has so far.
But Bill, these are INTERESTING toys (tools)
There aren't many that really stand out. My Dad liked the chimes that I talked about in a previous post. I once got my Mom a combination step stool and tool box. She always likes having a step stool handy, and the tool box part is useful for her and Dad. My sister and I bought my folks a VCR long ago, and the VCR was used for a long time.
Bill
They look interesting, but adapting me to the whole kid world is going to be tough.
*smile* Oh I think he’ll break you in fairly easily.
Don’t be scared. Maybe it’s the child in me, but I relate to children really well. It helps sometimes if you bend down when you talk, so you’re not so big and towering over them.
I just took WAAAAYYY too much abuse here—and from people who claim to be conservatives, mind you. I had enough. Sean Hannity has a point about this site, after all. But I cannot get on WA anymore for some reason, So I had to post here.
A few weeks ago, I did a reset on my computer and the cookie got erased for WA, and now it will not accept my user name or email—so I CANNOT post there.
Anyway, I will answer the original post.
I have spent WAY more on Christmas presents this year, than ever before.
It all started when my boss’s wife got me a $300+ dollar GPS unit for my van for Christmas. SO, I had to get her and her husband something nice, in return. From there, it all snowballed until I found myself spending more than I ever have for each person I needed to buy for, probably spending over $500 for Christmas presents this year. In the past—$100-150 would have sufficed.
But I am NOT sorry about doing so. Just thankful I was able to afford it!! After all—I am one of those who loves to “give”, and brighten the lives of those who I buy for. Often, giving gives me a better feeling inside than receiving.
My last present, an 8” digital picture frame, I won on Ebay a short time ago. I pray it arrives by Thursday night, So I can give it to my Boss’s wife, along with the Red lobster gift certificates I got for each of them.
As for that little “project” I was talking about on WA—things do look promising. Time will tell, I guess.
Anyway, too all of you-- as my Friend Laurie taught me to say—Have a blessed Christmas season, and a Happy new year.
Ladies like a man who is good with kids...:-)
That’s the truth!!!! Get a man to show a natural, honest interest in my kids and I am HIS. LOL
emphasis on “natural” and “honest”
It’s good to see you again. I’m glad that you are having fun buying stuff for people.
That's one more reason why I see myself never finding anyone.
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