At least in the stores it is. And while most years I balk at the early Christmas showing, this year I kindof have to agree that its time. I mean, Christmas is only a couple months away...Chanukah is even sooner (for those of you who get to partake in that one like me)...so the way I see it, its time to start getting ready for one of my favorite times of the year. The problem in this household, though, is that while I am ready to get ready, no one else is. You see, every year around this time, I send out an email to all of our family members requesting their holiday wish lists. I ask them to list at least 5 things, so there is no guarantee which item will be purchased. I also ask them to be as specific (like item size, color, shape) or vague (pair of boots) as they want to be. Every year, I get exactly 0 responses. And honestly, I don't understand it!!!
For one thing, I absolutely LOVE making wish lists...maybe it goes back to my childhood days of dilligentely earmarking catalog pages or my pure delight in registering for both my wedding and child. I don't know, I think it is a lot of fun to compile the list, and even more fun to get those items, items I really, truly wanted.
When it comes to buying gifts, though, there is really nothing I enjoy more than finding that perfect find for someone (I'm serious...I really think I like it even more than receiving that perfect find....ok maybe equal, but still). But the beauty of holiday lists, at least in my eyes, is that it makes that totally possible, not accidental. I mean, if I'm going to spend $100 dollars on someone, or shoot even $5 on someone, I'd much rather get them something they're actually going to LOVE, rather than tollerate.
For their part, my family members all have their excuses: they don't want anything (my dad), they want me to pick it out (my mom), they haven't had time (my brother and husband...the two hardest working men in America...note the sarcasm). But it just seems silly to me
So, what do you all think? Does your family do lists? Or are you like my family members and think the appeal of the surprise is more exciting or too lazy? Do share...maybe there's a happy medium we're missing?
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Our family really does not plan ahead for anything. I told my mom last night that I would do something over here for Thanksgiving and she was like great. That was pretty much the end of the conversation. We were not even going to do Thanksgiving for a while because we are leaving for MI early Friday morning. Adam did not want to be at his parents house for Thanksgiving because he thought we would be an imposition. So I decided to get off my lazy butt and make something happen for the family.
ReplyDeleteAs for Christmas, there is no planning for that either. I just go out, buy things I think people might like, include the gift receipt and hope they take it back if they don't like it :) I admire your calendar watching and planning. I used to be that way, but it has just dwindled with age and time restraints.
ha! Drews family askes for lists the day after Thanksgiving. While I understand that they just want to make sure you get exactly what you want I think it takes ALL the fun out of it. No suprise!
ReplyDeleteOn a side note...I think Drew, Josh and Ryan should start a "im the hardest worker on the planet club" ...though I think Drew actually believes that hes the only one who actually works...in the world. Such babies :)
I agree with you on this one 100%....Trente and I (meaning his credit card and my internet shopping addiction) completed all Christmas shopping for his family on Sunday. They have no problem giving a list. My family on the other hand is a completely different story. I love giving lists as well as finding that perfect gift...watching people open gifts I have purchased is sooo much fun!
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