Postby Harriet » Sun Dec 25, 2011 5:35 pm
Harmony, IKWYM. Sometimes a rushed celebration can turn into an expensive one and also make you feel you didn't spend wisely. There is something to be said, however, for going ahead and purchasing "the thing you have in your hand", since I also regret my choice to shop online with a retailer who (I didn't realize) does NOT have a reputation for speed in sending packages. I found myself frustrated, trying to track a package that may have been full of wise, thrifty purchases, but was taking a long, worrying time arriving. Amazon, I'll have to admit, was johnny-on-the-spot for both HRH and myself when we needed it this year.
A general "note to self" this year is that I didn't start early enough. Every year I sort of smile about the idea of doing Christmas cards up on Halloween, but if I had done so, I'd have been better off. Gift shopping/wrapping is going to be a bear every year, so any taming I can do early is a very good idea. After all, do I really think I would amend my list much between Oct 31 and Nov 30? No, certainly I would send to those I planned.
Harmony, teens get harder to choose for, don't they!!! My best advice to myself this year on that score is to think add-ons. A teen who already likes Sims got an Expansion Pack to add pets. If they have a great bike, give a cool bike lock. I can't get a "read" (well, can't get info) on one teen we bought for and I chose a purse I regretted as soon as I got home, so I was happy that I had the gift receipt to put inside!!! Now at least she has a chance to change for what she really wants if I'm WAY off base! I used to be able to rely on dd's memory for clues to what this girl would want in the future, but now in the teen years things change too fast and dd doesn't trust what she remembers.