I'm one of those evil people who already has her Christmas shopping finished. I only had to shop for four people though so I had it easy.

My neice Jordan wants books for Christmas. She already has all of the "Little House" books and my mom is getting her the Boxcar Children series, so I settled on a boxed set of three of my favorites when I was her age: The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Runaway Ralph, and Ralph S. Mouse. Actually, Jordan's first request was a sewing machine but I told her she'd have to wait a few years for that. She's only 8 and since no one else in the family sews she wouldn't have anyone to help her. I may teach her a bit of hand sewing and embroidery when I'm home, that will be a good start.

My nephew Evan loves Spiderman. My sister just redid his bedroom all in Spiderman decor. I was tempted to get him a pair of web-shooting gloves (you load a canister of Silly String into them) but I decided my sister would hate me for it. :) So I got him a couple of action figures instead.

My oldest neice Sasha was very easy to shop for. I got her an Old Navy gift card. She said that she'd rather shop for herself.

I got Keith a set of bar glasses with his name on them. Maybe someday we'll actually have a bar in our basement where we can use them. :)

-- Anonymous, November 24, 2003

Answers

I have absolutely no idea what to get Glenn. He's the type of person who buys whatever he wants or needs (and usually get more then one if necessary) Then if I get him something I think he may like, the first thing he'll ask is how much I paid for it. Really ruins the whole atmosphire.

Gary always wants more and more stuff. I told him he isn't going to get much this year because we will have to pay for his driving instruction (parents aren't allowed to teach their children to drive anymore here. It has to be an accredited school and his high school doesn't offer it anymore) He said he doesn't want much, just a couple of video games. Auuu, couple of games? One game alone can cost around $55.

I got my father-in-law a kit on making your own wine. I think that Italian will like that. I got some goat milk soaps for my mother-in- law so I might get some other bath stuff and make a basket for her. My two youngest neices will be easy but the other two I have no idea. Maybe a gift certificate at JCPenny for the oldest. My nephew I no longer know and will have to get Gary to talk to him at Thanksgiving to feel him out.

Sherri, Dinotopia has some really nice books out for that age. My son and I still read them even though they are for little kids because they are just so fun. Ever see the big books? The artist made a land where dinosaurs and humans live together in peace. Really beautiful pictures. Can believe they are real. The TV show was terrible, a real disappointment. They should have followed these childrens' books instead of that garbage someone wrote.

And I still want that puppy....

-- Anonymous, November 24, 2003

Well, I haven't done ANY shopping yet!! Christmas just doesn't seem the same anymore. Has anyone else noticed that the children you buy gifts for nowadays just seem to want more...and more!!?? I think I'll just do some quick online shopping at Amazon and the add a little cash to each child's gifts. I don't feel like fighting the crowds at the stores!! Harry and I usually don't buy for each other...except for maybe a romantic card :-)!!!

-- Anonymous, November 24, 2003

Well, I haven't done a bit of it yet! I've been too busy Bah- Humbugging all the folks who have their houses decorated - one more waving, ho-ho-hoing Santa is all it's going to take to drive me right over the edge! Did I mention that I'm going to the mall today to get a hair cut?!

I'm really not sure what I'm going to get for anyone - Hubs has already been told that his Mom, Sis and Niece are his responsability this year as far as shopping goes, so that worry is out of the way. Jes wants a digital camera, but I think her Dad is getting that, so I will probably go the expensive perfume, underwear, clothes route; plus Pop and Hubs are going to hand make her some sort of board game again. Hubs will get some more beer makings for sure, but I am at a loss for what else. Pop will probably get bird feeders and feed, a pair of fleece lined jeans and a winter hat. Unc will get his annual renewal to Countryside magazine. And that concludes my shopping!

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2003

Sherri,

Arghhhh.....is it that time already!!!???????? I think I'll just buy stuff for ME this year!

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2003

I had my shopping completed in august with the exception of the few online items I purchased this weekend. Only drawback is when a family member passes away and I already purchased their gift, In which case I donate it to an appropriate charitable organization.

-- Anonymous, December 01, 2003