Santa Claus Is Coming

I know it is only mid-August and still in the midst of summer! But, it is time to start thinking about my very favorite time of year – CHRISTMAS!!! I’ve started making my list of gift ideas and thinking about what kind of Christmas cards I want to get — do I get the special order ones from the National Humane Society with festive pictures of dogs on the front and “Kim, Katie, Megan, and Amy” imprinted on the inside or do I get regular ones and hand sign them? What about decorations and will I plan a trip to see my Mom or will I arrange for her to come here?

There is so much to think about and plan for……..and if I have my gift idea list together, I can start buying things and stashing them for later! Beat the shopping rush!

Every year I start to think and plan and get excited right about now —- but, the last few years, it hasn’t helped keep me from rushing to put all the plans into action at the last minute!!! I used to be so good about being done so early — then, suddenly, I became a Christmas procrastinator!!! Definitely not because I didn’t start out being an early planner, though! I just somehow get off track mid-way!

Personal pet peeve about my Christmas shopping style: The risk of starting early is that I end up spending too much money!!! I always pick just the right gift for people – spend a lot of time thinking about it and deciding what the perfect gift is – then I get all excited when I find it! BUT — inevitably, once I decide what that perfect gift is and I buy it and cross it off my list, I end up finding something equally or more perfect for that person!!! Then I have the dilemma of what to do — do I ignore the second gift that I know the person will absolutely adore? do I take the first gift back or reallocate it to someone else? do I just give the person BOTH gifts and go over the target per person budget limit? and if I do that, do I then go back and adjust the target per person budget limit to make it fair for everyone?

So — even before the stores start with the Christmas decorations and music, I am already starting to get all hyped up about Christmas getting closer and closer — it is coming, folks!!! Get ready!!!

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