Friday, December 09, 2005

We Are Now Entering the Danger Zone

It’s December 9, and the majority of my Christmas shopping is done. I’d love to blog my experiences acquiring gifts—especially a couple of very exciting E-bay adventures—but everyone I am giving presents to this year reads this blog (except, of course, for Madge, who can’t read yet, but who is clearly very advanced for a toddler, so I’m sure it won’t be long…), and so I’m not going to give anything away. But I think everyone will be most pleased. And that’s ALL I’m sayin’.

These last two weeks until Christmas are what I have learned to call “The Danger Zone.” It’s the time when I have spent all the money I can afford to spend (and, okay, a little bit more). I have accumulated all the gifts I need. I am DONE. And yet… the urge to get out there and keep shopping, to get swept up in the hustle and bustle, to succumb to the siren call of the thrill of the hunt, it continues. In fact, it intensifies. The commercials get more frequent. The stores get more bright and sparkly and colorful. The “50% Off!” signs get bolder.

My challenge now is to steer clear of the mall, keep away from E-bay, lock my Visa card in a vault and quit while I’m ahead, because I know from experience that I will keep going. Because I am weak. And I love shopping for gifts. And I am the queen of the impulse buy.

Those little baskets every store has near the registers—the ones full of charming little items that are only $2.99? They were invented for me. A couple of little things here, a couple of little things there, and pretty soon I have squirreled away enough worthless cheesy crap to more than fill both Demigoddess’ stockings, as well as stockings for every kid in both their junior high classes.

I’ll keep going, and I’ll find gifts that even more perfect than the gifts I already bought. Gifts that are just a LITTLE more expensive. Gifts that, during the other 50 weeks of the year, I would never consider purchasing.

This is a road to insanity that I am very familiar with. I know exactly what’s at the end, and I really don’t wanna go there.

Will somebody please lock me in a closet?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those "Stocking Stuffers" get me every time. Damn them

Crazy Lady said...

I know that road all to well. I do pretty good with not over spending on extended family. but the kids? Forget it!