December, as a month, really just seems like a build up to one day and then shortly after, we are in a new year. The undertaking of the holidays can be consuming at times, with so many things to worry about and the inevitable money issues that always seem to crop up around this time of year. I usually am pretty well planned out when it comes to attacking XMAS like the beast that it is.
Yesterday I contributed to the last XMAS at the Ridge by buying a tinsel tree from work. The 40% discount made the purchase of such an item easier to swallow. And I loathe real trees. I think it's kind of selfish to kill a tree just to hang decorations on it. So my tree looks kind of sad, but I love it. It's blue and shiney and slender. It will get the job done, despite looking a little out of place in our living/dining area which looks like the Grizwalds decorated this year.
Phase 2 of the holiday season kick off is sending out your XMAS cards which I laborously licked, stuffed, wrote, signed, stamped and sealed today. Going out in the mail Monday so that most of them get to the recipient in plenty of time to reciprocate the sentiment. (You reading this??? Yes, you!)
I have been working on my XMAS list for a few weeks and can already claim a couple of small shopping victories prior to December 1. The only piece of the puzzle missing at this point is the Ridge pollyanna which seems to have hit an impass. I'm looking to keep it in the family, since last year's included a couple guys who have all but become invisible to these parts. Since the 5 of us have been in the house a few times this week and we haven't picked yet, I'm kind of wondering if this think is even going to happen. Assuming it will shortly, I have narrowed my list this year down to a very managable 25 people including the homefront pollyanna. My siblings are still testing out this new fangled anti-Pollyanna thing that was put into effect last year which I'm not sure I actually like. I'm not sure anyone likes it, but we are hardly ever in the same room to pick names that we basically have no choice. So everyone buys a generic gift and we blindly pick one from the pile and enjoy. I may still be bitter from last year when I became the proud owner of a back massager that was exchanged for random purchases at Target before january 1. What's tragic in all of this is that between house mates and siblings, I have about 12-15 people that would appreciate an Urban Outfitters purchase, but I will only have 2 of these people to buy for and my discount becomes useless in the family one. And God knows I will have an impossible time finding something at UO for my Grandparents. "look grandpa, it's a belt buckle and a bottle opener! Sorry. I forgot you wore only elastic waisted pants these days."
In any case, I guess you could say that the holiday season does make me feel hopeful and happy. I love giving gifts to people. I love seeing people that I don't often see. I love the idea of drinking a beer on a cold winter evening with my dear friends. I even think I like seeing my family on XMAS. Maybe I'm having an allergic reaction to the envelope glue on my XMAS cards?
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