Tag: presents

T’was The Season

~ Sue ~ Leave a comment

Christmas time is a great time of the year. It is that one time of the year, where people can spend time with their loved ones, and where thanks is given to those who support us. It is still the one period of the year, where everyone get’s some time off work. It is nice to see that a lot of non-essential businesses closed, as everyone needs a time to cool down and relax.

The only problem is, that I started planning for Christmas months in advance, usually by making lists for what I want to gift people, but I don’t actually do anything about it till the last minute. Once again, I ended up running around town on Christmas Eve, getting presents and the like. Because I know what I am getting people, it is fairly easy to get in the shops I need to, and then leave.I find it best, as that way I don’t have to deal with too bad crowds, as I am ready for home before midday.

Christmas day is classed as that one day where I eat too much, and watch rubbish on TV, and this year was no exception. When you work hard all year, it is nice to just kick back with family. And to me, that is what the period is about. Yes, presents are nice, but it’s about showing your thanks and chilling out.

You will notice, that ‘blogmas’ fell apart pretty quick, as expected. But December is the one month where time seems to just disappear. One day it was the start of the month, and it felt like it was Christmas day within a blink of an eye. Which is scary. They say that time going fast is a sign of getting older, which I am not particularly keen to think about.

But in a few days, we say goodbye to 2017, and start afresh with 2018. And I feel genuine excitement.

Last Minute Shopping 

~ Sue ~ Leave a comment

It is hard to believe that Christmas is almost upon us already. It is Christmas Eve tomorrow, I can safely bet that a lot of people have some gifts still to buy. And heading into the shops on Christmas Eve is sometimes a bit like a death wish. I have done the bulk of my shopping on Christmas Eve for the last few years. And whilst every year I say I’ll get organised earlier, it never happens. But for those in need, I thought I’d share a few pointers to getting your Christmas shopping done on Christmas Eve. 


1. Lists are your best friend- I rely on lists a lot to get things done, but feel it is essential to getting shopping done efficiently. I usually have 2 lists. One, is full of names of the people I need to shop for, this gives me an idea of the number of gifts I still need. Second list of shops I’d like to head to. Do this by looking at your lists, and even looking online to give you ideas on where to look. 

2. Give yourself a time limit- There are times where a slow paced doddle round the shops is a great way to spend a day off, Christmas Eve is not one of those days. Your aim should be, to get in and out as soon as possible, as getting caught amongst the crowds can be very stressful.

3. Visit shops strategically- If you park your car at one end of the town, work your way from your car, buying as you go. Hit every shop in sequence, and go to the areas you need. For example, no point getting caught in the make-up aisle, if you are looking for perfume. 

4. Look for deals- the good thing about leaving shopping late, is that there are always A LOT of deals going around. Usually deals are situated in specific areas, like Boots and their 3-for-2. Or, end of range items are marked on the shelf. Scan the aisles for any ‘sales’ labelling in areas of interest. Also, if you work for a big company, check with your HR department for any corporate deals you could benifit from. They may be for meals out, which could be a good cost-effective way to treat someone you are struggling to buy for. I did this last year, and treated my friend to a meal instead of a gift.

5. Skip that sit-in Starbucks- Think of what coffee shops are like during the weekend, and multiply it by at least 3. You might think that Latte will help you complete your shopping, but 15 minutes waiting in a queue, surrounded by tired screaming kids, grumpy parents and then find there are no seats. It won’t only de-rail your shopping mission, it could put you in a foul mood. 

If you can keep to your plan, and keep focused, you can get shopping all done in a few hours. Last year, I was just over an hour getting all my presents. In fact, I had so much stuff could have done with Santa and his sleigh to give me lift home. I wish all the luck to anyone who is braving their local High Street or shopping centre tomorrow, and I hope you find the right thing for those special people in your life. 

So its that time of year again.

~ Sue ~ Leave a comment

Its fast approaching the end of November. The time of the month I was supposed to have a certain novel finished. In truth, I am in no way going to complete it in time. Though I am still going to write it. Just on my own time scale. The reasoning behind that is because I was forcing myself to write, and it was just turning to shit, and I felt like crying over it. So I left it.

So instead I have found myself focusing on CHRISTMAS. Yes, it is that time of year again.

This is something that I really shouldn’t be thinking of, as I end up just getting really moody about the whole thing. Why? Because the event which is supposed to be about family and togetherness, is about trying to buy presents that everyone will like. *le sigh*

It’s the time of year where people worsen their financial situation, just so that they can buy others gifts. People are too scared to say ‘no’. If you can’t afford to do Christmas, don’t do it, or make hand-made things. I mean one of the best presents I ever received, was a letter from a friend, and it was an account of some of his best memories of us. It meant so much to me and it’s still one of my most prized possessions. It cost him nothing to make that gift, and it means so much.

Over the years it seems that people have substituted effort with money when it comes to giving gifts to others. Why spend days making something, when you can go into a shop a few days before the BIG DAY. Uch, its relentless, and we are guilt tripped in to being this way. As if, it makes you a bad person if you don’t buy something for a decent amount of money. It doesn’t make you a bad person, and if people did stop buying each other massive presents, then it would mean that someone would be making less money, and in the current economy, no-one wants to increase someone’s suffering.

It would be a lot better, if the whole money thing was taken out of Christmas. If you want to get someone something for the holidays, you would have to make it with your own hands. And to know that someone cared about you enough to actually spend time making you something? That would make everyone feel good, and it would be something unique and special.

If only it was that easy. I gave bookmarks to some people last year, they were thrown to the side as if they were rubbish. People are way too spoiled and should appreciate all they get.

*Thinks* Rant over.