I thought I was done shopping, and they drag me back to the mall!

[tinkarooni]

Just want somebody to commiserate with. I have been sick for almost all of October and November, I had whooping cough and than pneumonia......miserable. So towards the end I started feeling well enough to jump on the internet and I think I am done with my shopping. Even both of my kids gifts are wrapped and stashed at Grandmas, than I picked up all my gift cards for outside gifts. But....it seems every day another potential gift giving opportunity comes out of the woodwork. UGGG. My DH comes home yesterday, his 2nd cousin is going to be at Christmas, we need a little something for his daughter.....what's her name?

Than last night DS12 comes home I need a $5.00 grab bag gift for youth group. An e-mail this morning from my boss explains that they are collecting $15.00 each for an angel tree we're supporting as a group...?

All those nickles and dimes add up....no wonder so many people look forward to January.

Anybody else?

 

[pigletto]

Yes! Even with the best of intentions I always end up with a few things that I have to run out and get last minute. I think it's good to get as much done ahead of time as you can though and then these last minute additions aren't added to an already crazy list.
But I can absolutely relate. Everytime I think I am done there someone or something that just pops out of nowhere.

 

[tinkarooni]

Thanks....see I knew I wasn't crazy and alone with this.

It's going to be a game between now and Christmas to see how much money I can keep in my purse......

 

[talulabelle]

Yes. Every year. I just hold my breath and get through it. I hate the gifts for every group my kids are in....need a gift for an exchange at scouts, need a gift for an exchange at youth group, etc. etc etc. I think the kids would be just as happy without it....also my kids have been so disappointed in the past with these types of thing (I know it's the thought that counts, but that is the problem, sometimes there is just no thought at all!) For scouts my littlest took one of those $15 lego type robot things that come in a cannister (I forget what they're called.) Anyway, since the spending range was @$15, most boys took the same thing as the boys are really into these in his pack. So after giving his gift he loved and watching most EVERY other boy in the pack open something similar, he opens his gift to find a little keychain that lights up when you push a button. He came home in tears. Someone was so cheap they just wrapped up something around the house. I understand if someone can't afford the gift - but then DON"T PARTICIPATE IN THE GIFT EXCHANGE! It's not fair to kids like my boys who saved up his own money for something. Then is given something used that was probably originally $1.
Sorry for the vent, but I just wish they wouldn't even have the exchange because something like this happens every year. The kids get enough at Christmas , I wish that organizations would add this extra stress for parents.