posted on December 24, 2013 by Jaycie Cash

Joy to the World, My Shopping’s Done

Santa Carrying Shopping BagsIt came upon a midnight clear, in fact the truth burst upon me a couple hours earlier: by 10:00 p.m. on December 23, I realized my 2013 Christmas shopping was complete.

And yes, I did hear strains of the Hallelujah chorus in that moment.

More often than not, I have at least a few stocking stuffers left to buy on Christmas Eve, or suddenly learn or realize by that afternoon that I’m going to celebrate Christmas Day with at least one person for whom I’ve yet to purchase even a small remembrance.

The only time I beat this year’s feat was a couple decades ago when I completed my shopping by mid-October. Problem was, since I didn’t have to rush around to purchase all the presents I was giving away, I felt like I hadn’t done enough to make the season bright for my loved ones.

As a result, I ended up spending even more on pretty much everyone. So by the time all the gift wrap and tinsel settled, I’d spent about twice what I’d planned.

The budget gods were not pleased!

Needless to say, I haven’t made the mistake of vastly early shopping since.

Instead, I now begin my Christmas lists by early fall, but typically don’t make any of the actual purchases until December rolls around. The reasons for this are many: this really does help me get into the holiday spirit; stores often offer excellent prices in December these days; I sometimes get Christmas bonuses that help to cover my holiday expenditures, thereby keeping my day-in, day-out budget on track.

Now I can spend today, Christmas Eve, wrapping the last of my packages, visiting friends, dropping off some of the baked goods I’ve made and attending a candlelight service at my church. Most important of all, it looks like I’ll have time to count my many blessings and to think about all the reasons why the holidays are truly joyous for me this year.

It’s my fervent prayer the same is true for all of you.

May you all have the very merriest possible Christmas and the happiest 2014 imaginable!

In other words,  happy reading to all and to all a multitude of wonderful books.

WHEN DO YOU TYPICALLY DO YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING?  WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MEMORIES? DO YOU USUALLY MANAGE TO STAY ON BUDGET THIS TIME OF YEAR?  A FREE COPY OF MY DEBUT NOVEL, MRS. GOODFELLER, WILL BE RANDOMLY AWARDED TO ONE PERSON WHO LEAVES A COMMENT BELOW BEFORE THE NEXT WRITERSPACE BLOG IS POSTED.

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8 thoughts on “Joy to the World, My Shopping’s Done”

  1. Heather C says:

    I do most of my shopping online! I’m not a big fan of fighting crowds, so I love shopping from home in pajamas with a cup of tea and a good book by my side

  2. Marcy maddox says:

    I pick up gifts throughout the year but really do a lot of it on Black Friday – no shopping on Thanksgiving day- then those last minute gifts for the unexpected guests. A lot of my spending is on Food..so much baking for all the parties. Work, church, friends,family..then there is the volunteer work. It is hectic but I do love it! I give myself a larger budget just so I don’t go over. : )

  3. Sue C says:

    I try and pick up gifts when I see them. Usually I do Christmas shopping a week before Christmas. I am never on budget. Things have gone up so much in price especially groceries. Everything is sort of ready. All I want to do is take a nap or cuddle up with a good book.

  4. Joelle BB says:

    I have a large family, (10 immediate family members) so I do my shopping throughout the year to keep from blowing the budget. We all keep an amazon wish list throughout the year so we can add or purchase when the budget allows. I was finished “shopping” on the 5th, but had to wait until the 21st to have them all delivered.

  5. Caprice E. says:

    I start with Black Friday sales and watch the ads and go to that store specifically for what I need. No impulse buying. I grew up in New England and my Mom would go outside on Christmas Eve and if we had just received fresh snow, she would get a bowl of snow and then heat maple syrup and pour on the snow. It was just like maple candy, Yummy!

  6. Debbie Oxier says:

    I am a last minute type of person. Every year I say I am going to start early but don’t shop until the week before!

  7. Barbara Maurer says:

    My favorite memory is when all my kids & grandkids all came home for Christmas.We didn’t have our 8 great grandkids yet but treasure the very few times we can get together as they are spread out all over the country. We had snow that year and the ones from the East were so happy to sled ride and also go ice skating.Two of them had never seen snow so that was special.

  8. Samantha H. says:

    I usually start my Christmas shopping the first week of December but this year I started in November.

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