Presents

Its less than 2 weeks till the big day, Christmas day that is, and for many the pressure is mounting. It always seems that every year Christmas shopping is the most stressful thing a person can do! By ive never understood why? Why is it so stressful?

For some I know its about keeping up with the Jones, as they say, for others its about not dissapointing anyone or worse, getting the same gift as someone else! For others I know it can be just the very act of shopping, crowded streets and tired feet, but in this world of internet shopping, that can be avoided. Although this brings its own problems, as the worry is about whether it will arrive on time, in what condition and will it be the right size! Ive had to return one item this year already as it was the wrong size, I even had to show the wife to check, which kind of spoils the surprise! Hopefully the new, bigger one will arrive in time, oh and it was for the horse, so Im allow to get the size wrong, repercussion free!

For me, present shopping has always been a trouble free affair. Personally I couldn't give a monkeys about the Jones, they want to spend 80 quid on a pair of Nike trainers for their little princess who can't even crawl, let alone walk, then they can. Im not! Clarke's sales all the way. I also am not to bothered by what people think of their gifts, its the thought that counts, something g that works both ways. Im not worried about what I get, Im just grateful someone took the time to buy me something. Ive also got the distinct advantage that I don't buy many presents, just ones for the wife, either from me or from the kids, the wife deals with the rest! I do help with suggestions, but the wife is definitely better at the present buying than I am.

As for the kids presents, most are picked up in various sales through out the year and stored till Christmas. Others are bough off the local 2nd hand stuff site, the local ebay as it were. I know a lot of people will be shocked at the thought of giving 2nd hand toys for Christmas, but I really don't see the issue, as long as they are in good condition and work as they should, why not? The bairns don't care if things come in their original box, it never lasts long even anyway! Its all about what's in the box and not the box itself. We've done this the last couple of years and the little mans been thrilled with his presents, plus it means that we can get more stuff for the same money, a win win situation all round.

For some people its about the cost of something, for others its about how much you get, but for me its about the reaction it gets from the bairns, that the important thing. The mother-in-law has commented a few time that as the kids get older the boxes get smaller and more expensive! Kids like big boxes, it doesn't matter about the cost, they have no understanding of cost anyway. This year the in-laws have decided that big boxes are the way to go, as last year the little man was less than impressed with the soft presents, to the point he just picked them up and handed them to mummy, saying for you, before moving on to the next hard box!

It will be interesting to see how they react this year as they are both old enough to know what's happening, last year it took a while for the young lady to figure it out. Hopefully, it'll all be plain sailing!