Every year, I swear I will begin my Christmas shopping in August. It never happens. Christmas shopping is easy IF you know what you want to purchase for people. My problem, among others, is that I rarely even get inspiration until a few days before Christmas. Some of the best (most successful) gifts I ever gave to others came to me while last-minute browsing in stores.
When my daughter and grandchildren were younger, they were easy to buy for. I rarely had to ask what they wanted or needed. Now that the grandkids are older, their needs/desires are much more expensive, and their tastes have changed. (How DARE they have opinions of their own!) So, too, my son-in-law is a wonderful provider for the family, so they largely buy what they want for themselves, leaving me high and dry in the Christmas Suggestion Department.
In the past, I was in attendance for most of their Christmases, so if I needed to get something for them that I hadn't planned, I had opportunity to get it before the actual holiday. Then came COVID-19. This year, unless the heavens open and the hand of God reaches down to take away the virus, it ain't gonna happen. I will be in Indiana, and my family will be 2,000 miles away in Washington State. And I have no hints or requests for what anyone would like for Christmas!
I have always spent a ton on stocking stuffers--usually underwear and socks, because those are things that wear out--and candy or trinkets. I have always tried to have something under the tree for each to open. Then always cash for each. (Cash is always appreciated but it doesn't show any imagination, plus the giver never gets to know how the cash was used. Yuck!) Anything I give will have no impact. I'm not rich. Anything besides cash that I buy will have to be shipped, and shipping is both expensive and slow, even if Porch Pirates don't steal delivered shipments. Whatever I send will have to be purchased, packed, and shipped at least two weeks before Christmas.
So, here it is, December 1st, and I still have no idea what to send to my loved ones that will express how much I love them. Am I trying to buy love? I don't think so. They know I'm not a rich person. I just want them to know that I'm still part of their lives from so many miles away. Yeah...okay...send money. What fun is that??? I'm just hoping for inspiration before it's too late for the magic to happen. Pray for me!
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