By MAD21
It's November and people are realizing how close we are getting to the holidays. One of my favorites is definitely Thanksgiving because it means family and friends... and food. But mostly it's because it's a time to reflect on all the things we have to be thankful for. Not that we don't do that every day, but it's nice to have a time to celebrate those things together with everyone.
But Thanksgiving is something else for me. It's a deadline. It has been my goal for years to have as much of my Christmas shopping done by 'Turkey Day.' It probably started even before I was married with my own kids. Because I live so far away from my family, I had to have everything done early enough to get it in the mail without paying a fortune to have it delivered by Christmas day.
I realized at some point how wonderful it was to have it all done before the real rush of the Christmas season was in full swing. I could truly enjoy decorating the house, going to Christmas parties, enjoying the snow (if we were honored enough to get any), and people watching. Yes, you have to admit it's pretty fun to go to the mall when you are done with your shopping and watch all the frenzied people trying to figure out how to get that 'exact thing' that their special someone wants... all at the last minute.
I also found that I spent a whole lot less money. The sales are fun, and yes, especially now you can really find some good deals. But it is WAY tempting to buy more than what you had originally intended. It is so easy to get sucked into the fantasy that you can 'have it all' at a reduced cost.
Putting gifts together early also means we can focus more on what it means to give. I can take more time with my kids helping them put something together to give to the people they love. Also, if they know we are done with shopping, it curbs most of the "I wants" that come as a result of being bombarded with all the TV commercials and magazine advertisements for all the things they "have to have."
Every Wednesday, fellow blogger Kristen at We are THAT Family posts clever ideas for getting things done. She calls it, "Works For Me Wednesday" or WFMW. Be sure to go visit her blog to read her post along with links to other blogs who are participating.