Yesterday managed to totally get away from me, but that can happen this time of year. I thought I wouldn’t need a trip to the grocery store today and in doing a quick inventory, I realize that a few items are missing. Ah well, that’s to be expected. Anyway, during the round of parties, giving and getting presents is often a topic of discussion and before I get to the system that my husband and I use, some (or all of you) may have seen a post going around on Facebook about modifying gifts from Santa. It’s an intriguing thought and I will pass it along for consideration. The idea is to be fairly modest in what Santa brings and then give the larger gifts as from you. The idea is that as children talk among themselves (as will happen), those children who get very little from Santa must wonder why they get maybe a small toy and another child gets the latest expensive thing on the market, especially if both children had the same item on their wish list to Santa. I realize this is contrary to what we often do as parents, yet if we want the magic of Santa to exist in children for at least a while, then it might be an approach to think about.
Okay, on to a system that hubby and I settled on several years ago as he always struggled with what to give me. I would provide him some options, and even at that, he would wonder which of the things did I want the most? Were they all equal or was I hoping that he would accurately guess my true preference? It was never an issue for me – I would watch him perk up at some tool advertisement on TV and that would take care of that. One year, probably by happenstance, I was in a jewelry store and there was a lovely gold manta ray pendant that I wanted and how long it would be in stock was questionable. I bought it and in coming home, told hubby he was cleared for Christmas present, that I was all taken care of and he could see it Christmas morning. He was so relieved that we officially adopted the system. Here’s how it works. We set a price range and we each buy something that we genuinely want in that price range at whatever time of year we want to. The other person doesn’t know what has been bought and the gift can’t be revealed prior to Christmas morning. In other words, he gets surprised by what I bought for me and vice-versa. Stocking stuffers are a different matter – those we do buy as surprises for each other. I mean, it’s hard to go wrong with small things. Anyway, Merry Christmas or Happy whatever holiday you choose to celebrate.
