Finished off the shopping last night. All that remain now are to pick up a couple of things that are on order and wrap them. Everything that has been purchased is wrapped, labelled, ribboned and bowed. Feel free to throw heavy, pointy things in my general direction if you need to rid yourself of angst, but this year, this year I AM NOT WRAPPING PRESENTS AT 1AM ON CHRISTMAS MORNING.

I’ve done my share of last-minute shopping and, until this year, did not realise how good the alternative feels. So things are bought and wrapped. The dollhouse is looking really good and coming together nicely, so no worries there.

The only facet of Christmas that still causes me any angst is the presents for folks at John’s office. Personally, I’m not sure that the entire office needs to buy for everybody. It would make more sense for them to each pick one person and buy for them, rather than John buying something for each of the other seven people. Even better, they could just exchange cards or somesuch. I’m not sure how those on the lower end of the payscale can afford the tradition, honestly.

The first year that John was there, he had only started in October after several months of Employment Insurance and we were just starting to pull above water. He gave cards because we couldn’t afford anything else. This year, I made fudge and cookies and we’re giving each of them a package of that. I’m all for feeling Christmasy at the office, but the escalation of festivities has gotten silly in some cases.

A friend of mine who works with the provincial government has three office parties. One is the in-office party, another is the out-to-dinner party and the third is a dinner theatre party. All within a span of ten days. The first is potluck, the second is around $20 and the third approaches $50 in cost. Just plain silly. Pick one and go with it.

But in keeping with our plans for a relaxed, sane Christmas, we’re trying not to overdo the office thing by customising presents for all individuals. John has the dinner party on Thursday evening and that will be it for his office. He’s taking the days between Christmas and New Year’s off, so he’ll finally be able to catch up on sleep and relax.
In that spirit, this year, we’ve cleared Christmas Eve for decorating the tree, visiting friends and relations and generally spending time being cheerful and relaxed. This means that neither of us will have shopping to do on that day.

Right John?