It was a fortnight ago that I spied them first. Hidden behind a table laden with goblin masks and a giant fake tarantula was a particularly red and green and gold display.
We were only halfway through October and Christmas decorations were on sale.
In America it seems that the popularity of Hallowe'en and Thanksgiving staves off the fat man in the red suit but down here at the bottom of the world?
Hallowe'en is advertised but not embraced, and we have no November holiday of note. Or at all. And so Christmas can start as early as the stores like.
It seems they decided on mid-October.
Don't get me wrong. I adore Christmas with a fervour unusual for someone of so non-religious a bent.
I do, however, enjoy the scent of pine, decorating the tree, spending a day with my family (though, as years pass and my Father's temperament changes, we have become increasingly insular) revolving around food and alcohol. But what I love most of all? is buying presents.
Not battling the neon-blind masses in the mall but I like thinking about the recipient and choosing just the right present. I suppose I prefer giving presents as opposed to buying presents.
I'm quite good at it too!
I think my trick is that I start thinking about christmas presents for my most immediate family members at the end of August - directly after the last of their birthdays. I keep a list in my diary, or on my phone, and I write ideas down.
I only start buying presents when I have to. But because I embrace the digital age in which we live, I do a great deal of my shopping online.
Shopping I started and finished earlier this week. Do you hate me?
I couldn't help myself.
The sun is out in Wellington today and being raised a southern hemisphere girl, the start of summer means that Christmas is coming. I knew it wasn't far off - on Monday I heard the first creaking cicada.
Now all I have to do is hope that they arrive on time, that I don't find anything more perfect, and that the recipient doesn't find out.
Such are the pitfalls of shopping early and online.
But it's okay! All I do is make sure that the presents I buy? I wouldn't mind so much owning for myself.
Any tips on good websites for gifts online? I am trying to do the same myself & luckily just ordered a bunch of gifts off Amazon for a colleague to bring back from the states. Must do all shopping from my desk!
ReplyDeleteWell done. I won't shop until 2 weeks before we go away, and then it'll be small wee tiny light things that can be transported to NZ easily, and clothes the girls will grow out of in a week.
ReplyDeleteAlso, would you mind a lot a lot a lot if I brought your birthday presents home? I have a christmas-y gift as well and it'd be much easier to combine. And that way I get to see the glee on your face. Or at least a forced smile!
And also also, you made me look up insular. I love/hate it when you do that.
Leah - I love etsy.com annnnnd Amazon. I'll think about doing a post with suggestions but it's difficult as I don't want to give away the presents I'm waiting on! Eep.
ReplyDeleteKat - Of COURSE I don't mind, shipping is a pain, and of COURSE it'll be glee - even if it's not from the present then it'll be from seeing your cute little face. And I'm glad I helped you learn a new word :D