Christmas is coming, what gifts

[stevewool]

Yes its the season where who can beat what others have been given as the best present , even if they did not want it really.

What would you like for Christmas Emma i asked , "whats my budget" she said. well we shall see.

We that was it , Michael kors bags even Michael Kors watches . perfume and on it went, well you have so many bags Emma i said , but this one is a backpack she said, well it looks silly and look how small it is AND LOOK AT THE PRICE.

Why do you want a watch , you have watches, and do you wear one , on special occasions i must add, "yes but this one is white "she says , but it tells the time like you others do.

Underwear was mentioned and that did prick my ears up, ok let me see what you would like.

Off subject now, did anyone else look into there mums catalogue at the bra and pants all this ladies was wearing, as a very young boy this was so exciting and it gave me a funny feeling too. or was this just me and Jake .

I am back, anyway the underwear she would like she is buying herself and that way its more of a surprise i am told, looks like i know what i am having for my Christmas present .

Perfume it looks like i am going to buy, now just have to find the ones she likes the best.

Be glad when its all over even though its not really began yet.

[Gary D]

We were in the States 4 weeks ago and Tess's birthday happened whilst we were in New York. We already have the full range of Michael Kors so we stared on Coach, not just the handbag, we had the wallet to go with it.

[Tukaram (Tim)]

Get the bags at Divisoria ha ha.

For christmas we are going to Boracay, so my wife says we do not even need to decorate the house or buy gifts for anyone, because we won't be here.  Makes sense to me.  The week in Boracay is our present to each other. 

[Jake]

4 hours ago, stevewool said:

 

Off subject now, did anyone else look into there mums catalogue at the bra and pants all this ladies was wearing, as a very young boy this was so exciting and it gave me a funny feeling too. or was this just me and Jake .

Perfume it looks like i am going to buy, now just have to find the ones she likes the best.

Be glad when its all over even though its not really began yet.

The commercialization of the Christmas spirit is like my annual bankruptcy.  Judy gets very upset when I don't have the spirit of giving or receiving.  My argument was, what about the rest of the year when I offered a random gift of kindness or a spontaneous gift, like a dozen roses.  Speaking of perfume however, she doesn't really appreciate that gift from me.  It's called the Essence of Jake and I wonder why she cusses me out in Tagalog when it is given spontaneously......he, he.

[Snowy79]

I miss Xmas in Scotland. For me it was a case of no decorations or cards. A good friend would visit from Edinburgh and we'd climb a mountain, sit on the top and laugh at others getting stressed out. We'd then head to a pub for a beer and some food. I've never bought into the commercial side or adopted festivities. For me every day is xmas. 

This year I'm dreading it as I'm already fed up of xmas carols and songs. I might even have to get my partner a gift or I'll never here the end of it. Bah humbug. 

[expatuk2014]

And theres me thinking Steve was asking us what gifts we would like from him for Christmas !

A bottle  of southern comfort or a case of strongbow would do just fine🤣

[Dave Hounddriver]

When my partner and I walk around the neighborhood we see some people with Christmas decorations up. She always comments on how pretty they are with a wistful look in her eyes.  I would love to decorate the house for her but I no longer see the beauty.  I see the expense.  I see the work of putting them up.  I see the work of taking them down.  I see the addition to the electric bill, the house being targeted by carolers who see me as filled with Christmas spirit, and the expectation from my partner that since i bought decorations then the house will be filled with gifts on Christmas morning.  And lastly I see a load of junk that will need to be stored away somewhere in my tiny house for 11 months out of the year (well 8 months in Philippines  )

In short, I have become Scrooge.

[Jack Peterson]

11 minutes ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

In short, I have become Scrooge.

 It's Ok because if you can remember the Story of Scrooge, All turned out well  as he became a better man and Liked by all 

[Queenie O.]

I don't know--If we didn't do something it would be rather dull and uneventful I would think.  I found a very big but not expensive white Christmas tree that just came on display in October at Metro, so I grabbed it.  I brought some favorite ornaments/decorations from my past life, and purchased a lot of inexpensive little decorations and light sets from the Chinese discount store in nearby Bogo City.  I really did it mostly just for myself, but my husband enjoys them lit up at night too. I've had plenty of time to set it up and will take them down at my leisure too--not under duress and in a time shortage from when I used to work, and was always pressed for time during the holidays.

The past couple of months we've been picking up some clothing, small simple food baskets/cookie containers and little girl's umbrellas for some nearby neighbors and children, and some t-shirts and inexpensive watches, dresses and toys for some immediate relatives (6) not including us, that will come by for lunch a few days before Christmas. My husband will cook. All service people--the newspaper delivery man, water guys, mechanics, trash pick-up people and my hairdresser and staff will get a yearly thank you gift of cash. 

We have candies and change ready for the many carolers, who get given on a sliding scale based on the look of  the group. We have a few electric stars hung outside ready, but not  lit yet, and so far no carolers yet.

For my husband and I, we'll just have a nice Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day meal that I'll happily prepare. Just a box of imported chocolates for me that I want, and something from Ace Hardware for my husband. Mellow and and intimate and what we want for ourselves this year. I'm learning over time that I don't have to give up part of my past favorite traditions just because I'm in a new time and place now.

Everyone does things differently, and no right/best way to do the holidays I guess.

 

[Jeff R Us]

Our family decided collectively to stop buying gifts for each other and just revel in the spirit of Christmas. We were all complaining about the stress of shopping and the commercialization of Christmas. What to get the person for Christmas? How many got a gift they really didn't need or like but yet pretended how much they liked it so as to not hurt the person's feelings? Instead we really had a great and happy time enjoying each other's company while sipping eggnog, with dark rum and nutmeg of course, or sipping some of grampa's homemade wassail. The women cooked delicious Italian food and pastries. Joyous, peaceful, and stress free.