Me, my lists and I

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"Geez.. your on a mission", " You obviously know what you are after"...."Uhuh", I mutter to the shop assistants, as I continue on. I won't be distracted...like a race horse with blinkers, in for the kill and to come out the other side with what I set out.....and of course I am talking about Christmas shopping.

My ways have changed over the years, it used to be a social occasion pre kids - take your time to get into the spirit, SEARCH for presents that may suit that special someone.  Now it takes meticulous planning, research and lists...and rewriting of lists...

Buying surprises for people (except my kids...because I am still Santa) just isn't a done thing anymore.  My husbands family has secret Santa (and believe me there is nothing secret about it).  We just tell the person who is buying for us what we want, done deal, everyone is happy.  It is funny to watch each other open the presents on Christmas day like we didn't know what we were getting...very cute.

My side of the family is different. I text my brother before I left to go to the shops today "what can I get you for Christmas" he replies " a bit more notice next time.... ill get back to you". Every year is the same, I felt like saying "Newsflash....if you haven't noticed it is Christmas in 2 weeks time"...He won't get back to me, and ill be buying another gift card...always the same....

I have seen Christmas shopping bring out the worst in people, and I'm sure you know the ones I mean.  Think car park rage, mothers screaming at their kids who are over it, the credit card maxers.  I refuse to get caught up in it all, it feels like I'm looking in from the outside, staying aware to it all.

Going overboard with buying of presents just isn't me, I'm realistic, if we don't really need anything or want anything, we don't buy it.  My husband can't tell me anything he would like, so at this stage he isn't getting anything, and he is cool with that - I know he is eyeing off some biggies in the next few months.

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So anyway like I was saying, I now write lists and it starts in July when I buy a few things for the girls at the toy sales. A few of these items do actually make it to Christmas day, minus a few that have been pulled out on a desperate rainy day. Then, I start lists for everyone else I am buying, if they can't tell me what they want, they get gift cards...I just don't have time to walk around aimlessly looking...especially with a 4 year old and 14 month old!

So , I am off to rewrite my list, just so I can get everything straight in my head, today was a successful juant sans kids and I am happy to say....most of my work is done and dusted!

How about you....are you a list maker or do you wander aimlessly searching for THE GIFT to pop out at you?