KenOfAZ knows everything

I'm meticulous when it comes to Christmas preparations. I put up my Christmas tree along with all the rest of the Christmas decorations the weekend before Thanksgiving. I always mail my Christmas cards on December 1. I start my Christmas shopping early and I wrap each present as soon as I get it. My shopping was completed last week and all presents are wrapped. I take down the Christmas tree on December 26 along with the outdoor lights, so, everything is put away. I even make up my new Christmas card list for next year on December 26.

When I was young and single all my shopping would be done by the end of October. As family (kids) have come along it wasn't as easy to do. There are too many other things to take care of. I still get everything done way before 12/25 but I just don't have the time to spend on all the froo-froo of the holidays like I did when I didn't have kids.
I saw today's poll about regifting too. I know I have been regifted but I refuse to regift. I feel if you don't have the time or money to spend to buy me something then don't regift. Just don't get me anything. If I have been given a gift that's not right for me I will return it or if a friend or family member likes it I'll give it to them but not as a regift. Tacky, tacky, tacky!

I'm done early this year because i didn't spend much ' just too depressed about this whole communist take over of our country . I'll try again next year but i figure Obummer will still be pres so i don't hold out much hope!

I wanted to go to the store yesterday to buy something. But I decided to wait until after Christmas when the crowds thin down. But there will also be the after Christmas rush to spend gift cards and to return things. So I may have to bite the bullet and go to the store before Christmas. I hope nobody thinks I am one of the procrastinaters.

Every year, I shop/price gifts and get my list ready. Then, I wait until this week to buy everything since the stores use this week to make up the sales they missed. I spend 6 hours picking up all my presents than another 3 wrapping them on Dec. 23rd. However, I realize that once I have kids, I may have to change this process. For now, shopping for a niece and a newborn nephew as well as my immediate family is pretty easy and cheap the two days before Christmas.

My taxes, on the other hand, are a different story. I usually (except last year when the bf wanted to do it. He is A HUGE procrastinator) have it finished by mid March. After last year's fiasco, and because I am now completely self-employed, I plan on getting this done the first week of January.

We bought a few gifts, but mainly for the nieces and nephews and children of extended family. During these hard times we all have agreed that there will be no gift exchange between the adults. What's more important than anything is that we're all together on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We don't do the over the top thing for Christmas anymore, we don't feel that's what it's all about. Hard economic times can change folks outlooks and priorities, sometimes for the better.....

Click on my picture for your Christmas Cheer from Az Bob

I do my Christmas shopping year round, by the time Christmas rolls around I have an arsonal of gifts, that did`ent crimp my budget or set me back.

Those knitted things are something I would choose over a litany of other gifts I could receive. I still have a throw/blanket my grandmother made for me many years ago. The sentimental value makes it priceless and everytime I use I think of her, not to mention it's wearing really well. Good for you for giving something that lasts, and they will always remember you for it.

Merry Christmas to all the bloggers