This time of year, gift giving is, typically, atop most people’s to-do list. Because of this, shopping and wrapping (or at least packaging) are also prominent items to accomplish. And because I love shopping (and getting a good deal), I often begin the process of collecting my holiday gifts during the summer, or maybe in springtime or, to be perfectly honest, in early January when everything goes on sale! Basically, I shop all year round for Christmas, often tucking away little piles of goodies for months before I even start to think about making my Christmas shopping list in November.
However, because I am so preemptive in my shopping list tasks, I’ve noticed that, recently, I have become a bit like Santa Claus and, must check my shopping list twice (or even three times) so that I can organize what I (may) have left to buy.
This year, when I made my holiday list and then checked my inventory, I discovered that I should have made my holiday shopping list in January, when I started shopping! I should have done this because then I would NOT have purchased several of my holiday gift items … TWICE!
I remember thinking, back in early summer, that I should take advantage of the Yankee Candle sale and purchase my holiday (and autumn) scented candles. And so, I did. And when the BIG box of candles was delivered, I realized, upon unpacking them and tucking them away in my candle spot, that I hadn’t remembered thinking this same exact thought four months earlier back in late winter. Now I had 12 candles for the 6 people I typically give candles to.  And when my favorite store offered a great deal on sweaters in April, I purchased some for my sisters, forgetting that I had already purchased their annual sweater gift last late December. Now I had six sweaters for three sisters…
In making my holiday shopping list this year and in organizing my excessive inventory, I have considered two possibilities; I can simply give each candle recipient and sister, two of each item or expand my gift giving list to include nine more people. Quite frankly, both options feel a bit excessive.
Instead, I will save the sweaters and hope that they will still be in style next Christmas, and I will enjoy holiday-scented candle burning well into the summer months. I will also consider that I should expand my baked goods recipients so that I can, in the future, eliminate some shopping.  Better yet, since my husband is not an ‘advanced’ Christmas shopper, I may just hint that, this year, I would like a small whiteboard with colorful markers! This way, when I buy gifts, I can check them OFF the list as it’s far easier to check something off a list twice rather than buy it… twice!
NICE! NICE!
Kathy Naumann, possessor of NATURALLY curly hair and the understanding that you can’t control everything!

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