If Black Friday wasn't enough to lure us to open wallets we're enticed to shop in front of the computer the Monday after. I admit, there's a few layering deals at Kohl's I'm taking advantage of. Still, I'm trying to do that whole more heart in Christmas and online image's aren't doing it!
I fear I'm just as sucked into the commercialism as other years. We still did the name draw on both sides of the family. I've got lists of ideas from a few young family members, with an eye dripping price point. My nephew's almost 16 and has very specific snowboard/skateboard styles and brands he prefers. Cash may be king again for him. We're doing a group gift for my mother-in-law but I need a few items from us to go under the tree.
I need to remember my promise to myself. Showing people appreciation shouldn't just be by volume of gifts and oru e points. No one really is keeping score, at least I like to think. I still want the items to be liked and used. I still want to shop local, so am not planning to do much today. But, like a siren to sailer's far from home, cyber Monday deals will try and call me and lure me off course.
I'm not much of a shopper and I don't really pay any attention to the sales unless it is something I've been looking for or something we need. We scored at the shoe store on needed foot ware. Well, maybe my boots weren't technically needed but too cute to pass up. We have so many talented people in the area we are keeping our Christmas shopping local too. Have a great week Sam!
ReplyDeleteFeet need boots, so getting on sale is a good find. I may be close to done shopping.
DeletePretty much everyone on my list this year is a teen, and they are all so hard to shop for. I bought the boys a few small items to put under the tree, but they are getting: a tennis clinic (Nick) & surf lessons (Sam). I also pick up the gifts from my sister & parents for the boys, and those follow similar trends (movie gift cards, gift cards to the local boba shop & cash). It's made it easy for me to avoid much of the BF/CM rush. I did, however, order my running shoes for the year at a large discount, and two pair of Nick's tennis shoes (they go quickly on the courts) at a similar discount.
ReplyDeleteBoth boys said they'd rather have a ski weekend than additional gifts. It was also my first BF in as long as I could remember, that I skipped going even to Rite Aid. They've typically had really good gift card & other deals. This year, there was absolutely nothing I wanted in their ad, which made things easy. I did buy a Starbucks gift card that I needed, and it came with an additional $5 reward, if I bought it on BF.
My youngest too wants experiences, and she has had them. Now she needs to replenish her funds. I'll have a few gifts for unwrapping here too.
Deletewe went to cash for gifts when Daughter 1 and Daughter 2 specified that they were taking their kids shopping the day after Christmas so they could buy what a lot of time the kids said they would lose part of gift cards
ReplyDeleteThere's often better sales post Christmas and their money may go farther.
DeleteA siren to sailors it is for many. I went to Rite Aid on Thanksgiving, before we put the bird in the oven. Boy-With-A-Plan joined me on Friday to roll over my rewards, and saw something he and Girl asked for one Christmas, (Chia Pets.) They were the only thing they asked for, (I only allowed them to ask for one thing) and he still remembers opening them! He then commented that buying toys for kids must be great, because they are so easy to please. I told him that THEY were so easy to please because I kept their expectations in check. He said, "Yes, but there were always new crayons, Play Doh and Hot Wheels too!" I think my sailors may be immune to the siren's song, at least at Christmas. They don't like either giving or receiving things that are simply filler for under the tree. The downside to this is that it can take several trips before a kid will find a satisfactory gift for a sibling. Thank goodness they can now go by themselves.
ReplyDeleteI ask for ideas, but don't feel beholden to gift only from lists. I hope to be pretty much done other than some local buys and food.
DeleteAs much as I hate doing it, giving cash to your nephew would probably make the most sense wouldn't it!
ReplyDeleteI think so too. He's just at an age and has interests that are a bit beyond what I plan to spend.
DeleteWe draw names for my husband's side of the family ($50 limit) but still do stocking stuffers for the "kids" (ages 29-33). I just get gift cards because it guarantees that I spend the same amount on each, and I know it's something they will definitely use. I usually wrap it with a candy bar or something small just so it doesn't get lost in the shuffle. This year I've knitted small pumpkins for all of the girls, so I'll attach their card to that to make it more personal.
ReplyDeleteMy side of the family stopped exchanging gifts years ago - it was so unfair that my unmarried brother had to buy for everyone's kids!
If love to dial back even name draws. It's a lot for people who need nothing.
DeleteI was contemplating about buying a new laptop recently but, I decided to back-up my files in an external disk and format my computer. I am thinking, this can extend it's life for a while. I am sure your nephew will appreciate the cash more than any other gift.
ReplyDeleteI too need a personal computer but keep delaying. Cash is probably best.
DeleteDaughter texted me and asked if I would buy her a bed for Christmas. It was a little over $1200 on Black Friday. I had offered in the summer to purchase her a new bed. I happily sent her the money and let her purchase it. They purchased a new house last year and two bedrooms still don’t have beds and I sleep on the couch. The room I sleep in when visiting is getting the old bed. I call that a win…. Lol. She has a newborn baby and needed a firmer bed. I am just happy to get something that will be used daily for years. I don’t normally spend that much on one kid for Christmas but I had offered, like I said. Cindy in the South
ReplyDeleteI've been buying things here and there for my daughter's house too. She doesn't want any gifts but of course I will gift her.
DeleteI missed Black Friday entirely and so far I am safe from Cyber Monday__but the day is not over yet, is it?
ReplyDeleteHold tight Anne! I was pretty mild.
DeleteI didn’t do much shopping over the weekend. Got my son’s big gift, a Carhartt sweater. That stuff is expensive but I got a good deal. And a gift receipt ;) I’m done with my nephew, need one more small thing for each niece. Daughter got a small tv for her dorm. It’s definitely a smaller Christmas this year. Interestingly enough, this is probably the best financial situation we’ve been in for years and just are deciding to spend less. I don’t think it’s being cheap, just continuing with my thoughtful spending theme of the year. JoAnn
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to have main gifts done isn't it? Still the running for fillers is stressful. I am trying to skip that.
DeleteI buy everything local, and lots of it is second-hand (books, jewelry, clothing, chocolate). I think the last present I bought online was a tour shirt for an obscure pirate metal band from Austria (really!).
ReplyDeleteI got great local options here. I'm filling in on the edges now.
DeleteI avoided Black Friday like the plague and have also avoided cyber Monday. No one in my realm has any real needs or wants except for Pip and she is easy to satisfy.
ReplyDeleteSame here, but yet I still shop.
DeleteI give Amazon egift card to grandkids since teens are hard to buy for. It is only a small amount, so they can add it to other money they have. Tommy is the only person for whom I will purchase a gift. Well, I get a small something like a box of candy for a few friends.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they'll appreciate your thinking of them.
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