Early Chistmas Shopping

I think I’m running out of time. This year, I was going to be a good boy, though it might be a little late in the year to start, but in the respect of getting all of the dreaded shopping done before the crowds begin.

This year I took advantage of the wonderful cream-filled world of internet shopping. I found a website that searches the entire internet for the cheapest price of a particular item. The good thing about internet shopping is not that you can order it on the internet, but shop the brick and mortar stores in your neighborhood without even venturing into the parking lot. This is great for Wal-Mart especially, but I’m sure it can work for any other large name discount store whose customer’s are notorious for drunken hit and run’s while backing out of a handicap space.

Last year at this time, I had just moved south. Dropping everything I knew and heading into Cajun Country stretched every penny I had. Christmas last year sucked for all those expecting a few shiny presents under the tree. Now this year is time to redeem myself. I’m not saying every gift I buy will cost enough to make up for the one they didn’t get before, but I want to put enough thought into it that they know I wanted to get them something they would like. And I would certainly not wait until the last minute to get Lin’s present again. Lord knows all the crap you walk away from a store with when you are out of ideas and time.

Even though I might be buying more gifts than I did last year, it looks like I am going to be saving money as well. You see, my brother decided to get divorced last week, and because this is going to be such a shit storm of a separation, it lobs off five people from my list. And my grandmother has lost her mind so, no one from my immediate family including me is allowed in her house. I’m four hours away and still managed up on her shit list. Guilty by association I guess.

My point with all of this is, it has been a long time since I have felt any kind of excitement towards Christmas. Instead of sugar plumbs and ornaments springing to mind, I shutter at the thought of traffic, price gouging and snotty little kids lining up around the block to shit their greed on Santa’s lap. But this year, it’s gonna be different. I won't have to go out in it. I can have holiday movies sent to me though the mail and drink Egg Nog and brandy all season long while watching "Christmas Vacation" over and over. That Randy Quaid, we might be related.