For 11 1/2 months of the year I am frugal . . . financially responsible. I do without & make do. But for a 2-3 week window in December I am in a spending frenzy. The easiest shopping is for Owen, my grandson, for whom I have a list from his parents.
However, last week I inadvertently began Christmas shopping when I was at a gift shop picking up a baby gift. The store manager then called my attention to a soft snowman pillow that has velcro parts so that a toddler can make his own snowman. Owen would love this I thought. Wrap it up! While waiting to check out I found the softest, cutest polar bears . . . ok, one for Owen & one for me.
The planned shopping began this weekend. First a trip to Starbucks to fortify myself with caffine. Then to the WVU bookstore for a gift for my dad . . . couldn't resist an adorable WVU fleece tobbogan for Owen & a long sleeve t-shirt for me as well.
Then to Target to get a gift . . . oh, no, they have sports bras on sale . . . in the cart! Wow, a relaxation Christmas CD . . . just what I need! A Baby Einstien Christmas CD . . . Owen loves music--this will be a great pre-Christmas gift. A quilted mattress pad for the Pack & Play . . . gotta have that . . . much softer for him to sleep on when he visits, and I do have a new grandbaby due in May who will need a soft place to sleep.
On to Bed, Bath, & Beyond . . . a gift for my parents & a flexible bundt pan for me.
Moving on to Old Navy I buy 3 stocking stuffer items & some new socks for me.
At TJ Maxx I buy books for my little niece & nephew and 2 for Owen as well.
On to Walmart where I find the gift item I'm looking for but also find it too confusing to know exactly what to buy. I need to do more research . . . before I leave the store I purchase a new set of sheets for my guest bed . . . and 2 more books for Owen.
Finally, I stop at Hallmark to buy Christmas cards. I purchase the cards along with a Sarris chocolate covered pretzel to eat on the way home.
Sunday after church I go to buy 3 pairs of shoes for our "Shoes for Kids" project. A beautiful pair of suede boots catch my eye upon entering the store . . . oh my gosh, they're on sale! I purchase 3 pairs of shoes & 1 pair of boots.
This morning I'm online ordering a gift. Wait a minute . . . buy one sweater, get a second at 50% off . . . I add two sweaters to my cart. . . mine is practically free.
I might add that I have now also purchased all the items on Owen's list.
Hold me back . . . I leave the tags on most of the things I thought I just had to have for myself. I delete the second sweater from my online cart. This is why I avoid shopping . . . I always fall victim to displays & bargains & suddenly find innumerable things that I just can't live without. Common sense is begining to overwhelm me. I will spend a day soon returning most of my items. . . except for the extras I have purchased for Owen . . . I don't need to give him everthing at Christmas . . . & he's just soooooooo cute!
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