Sunday, December 23, 2007

Christmas thoughts.....

With today’s economy being like it is, I am wondering how much the average person spent on gifts this year….not the amount but if it is lower or higher than last year or years before.

I found myself really being aware of the price of things this year. Groceries, for one thing, have gone up tremendously. So its going to cost at least 1/4 more to have that great dinner we always have at this time. As for gifts, I scanned the stores for sales and found that even the sale items seemed to be priced way too high. I know I have gotten these same items in previous years for less money…say, perfume, for example. So, for me, I bought less this year. The love is still there, in every present given, but there are not so many this year. I’m grateful that we are able to buy what we do. Don’t get me wrong…the kids are getting some nice things…just not as many. And we adults are not exchanging at all and that has really saved not only money but a lot of stress too.

A friend of mine starts her Christmas shopping in July. I always laughed at her for that and thought it was a bit strange….but now I am seeing that there is a method to her madness. She is able to buy a lot more and not have it strain her budget so much because she’s doing it a little at a time. I think I’m going to start doing that myself this coming year.

While shopping for others, I did see one thing I wanted for me. At night I turn down the heat, so I’m cold when I first get in bed at night. I decided to buy an electric blanket to pre-warm the bed. I received it and took it out of the package and laid it on top of my bed….not plugged in yet or anything. I came back to it about 2 hours later to find a hole chewed in it and the wires pulled out and chewed in half. Yep, my precious little dog at work. Thank God I didn’t have it plugged in. I had no idea she would do such a thing….so it’s a blessing in disguise. What if I would have put it on the bed, plugged in it and gone to sleep (the dog sleeps with me)….wahoo…fried dog and maybe even fried GRANDMA. So there’s $60 down the drain but I learned a lesson.

I am joyous and grateful for everything I have and thank God every day for the blessings He has given me. I wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas or a Happy Holiday, whichever it is you prefer. I probably won’t post again until after Christmas, so stay safe and be happy. Big hugs.

16 comments:

SOUL said...

hi there...

i'm really sorry about your blanket.. i swear little dogs have really really tiny brains... i have a min pin .. and i tell ya.. she has some big issues. but yes, you are lucky it wasn't plugged in.

anyhow, i may do that shopping early thing myself. the crowds and traffic this time of year really bothers me. i'm just not into this kinda thing.

as for more or less this year-- i will admit that we went a bit overboard... but it won't be like this again. we kinda lost our heads i think, but it won't happen again. i feel like the village idiot. but oh well. lesson learned i think.

anyhow--- be sure to check your email later---or my blog.. my sis will either send you the recipe or post it. and send you a invite.

laterz charlotte
and merry christmas

Mama Llama said...

Your comment made me cry--thank you. I am trying to take today's dark, dreary, rainy blah day and all the subsequent failures and put them into a positive light, and It Will Be Good.

You are a blessing. Thank you.

Wishing you a very Blessed Christmas, full of laughter, love and joy!

-mp

Anonymous said...

oh, gee, glad you weren't fried! Every winter I vow to get an electric blanket to warm up my bed and every year I put it off.

Merry Christmas, Val!

Karen said...

I don't need an electric blanket Val because the dogs lay in my spot til I get there and its lovely and warm from their body heat.

That was lucky that the electric blanket wasn't plugged in....that could have been ugly.

You have a wonderful Christmas Val and we'll catch up soon when we all start telling our Christmas Day stories.

Leaking Moonlight said...

We've always had what we've come to call "Christmas 2.0 lite."

The magic trick for kids on Christmas morning is to string the presents end-to-end in front of the tree.

And then we've always had one person open one gift by themselves to oohs and ahhs. Nice.

(My family's built a reputation for taking the longest time to open the fewest presents. We even break for breakfast.)

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, with your stocking filled to the brim with family fun and love.

Jenny said...

Oh! That could have been terrible... at least you only lost your new blanket.. and not something more precious.

Have a wonderful Chritmas Val.

Jamie said...

Val, You have a really wonderful Christmas, too. You honestly deserve it.

And I am very, very happy your blanket wasn't plugged in...

$60 is not much when you think of what could have happened.

And I am going RIGHT now to answer your email. Finally.

:)

SOUL said...

charlotte,
are you getting my emails???

zirelda said...

You Rock Val. I've been reading your comments on Mapiprincesa's blog and wanted to let you know that.

Merry Christmas.

Linda@VS said...

I can imagine the mixed emotions upon finding the blanket: first wanting to kill the dog, then realizing she actually could have been killed and being filled with relief that she wasn't.

Have a wonderful Christmas, Val.

Oldy said...

So sorry about your blanket. Little dogs are soooo bad. lol

I usually wake up roasting hot because there are cats laying all over me. :)

I sent you the recipe for the sweet potato casserole. i hope you got it. Trust me ,it IS awesome! Better than all the desserts.

Hope you and your little dog :) have a wonderful Christmas!

Andrew said...

When I was married, Rachel bought an electric blanket and our Boston terrier did the very same thing. She was so miffed. Hope you have a Merry Christmas it is nice to put a name to a face. Merry Christmas Val and thank you for your blog!

Anonymous said...

Hey there! Just popping by to say Merry Christmas! See you in the New Year!

fiwa said...

I just saw your picture - I LOVE IT! We spent about the same this year, but we bought a lot of gift cards for the first time ever.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family. I'm so glad this year brought us together, friend.

Lovins,
fiwa

Jean Campbell said...

Half of last year. We never do the same two years running, keeps them on their toes. Checks all around. I haven't graced a department store since early October, cuts down on the stress.

We did hear that one teen bought 'half the pair of boots that she really wanted' with our donation. I wondered if that was intended to elicit guilt on my part that we weren't much more generous?

SOUL said...

happy not christmas anymore...woo hoo