Don’t hate me, but… I’m ready for the holidays early this year. The tree is decorated. The lights are up. The shopping is done. The baking is nowhere near finished (or even started) but I’m way ahead of where I typically am on December 13.
It’s because I decided to simplify. We’ve had some losses in our family this year and it has caused me to question the whole purpose of the holidays. Lately I’ve been thinking it’s really about people. I think I’ve always believed that, but not always planned my holiday accordingly. This year I did.
So the decorations are simple. The lights are simple. The gifts are simple, but sentimental. I’m giving a lot of calendars made with family photos, for instance.
Another gift I’m giving this year is books.
I love to give books. It makes me feel like I’m giving someone an entire experience.
Here are a few of the gifts on this year’s shopping list: SUSPECT by Robert Crais, WONDER by R.J. Palacio, DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth, AMERICAN SNIPER by Chris Kyle, FOREPLAY by Sophie Jordan, HUNTED by Karen Robards, and THE HOBBIT by J.R.R. Tolkien.
What’s on your shopping list this year?
I’m in the holiday spirit 🙂 so I’m giving away three signed books today! Winner’s choice! Email me at laura@lauragriffin.com if you’d like a chance to win.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Announcement: the winner of the book giveaway on Elizabeth Heiter’s blog from Tuesday is Ellie. Please email: eheiter@hotmail.com with a mailing address and she’ll send your prize.
We gave up gift giving years ago to focus more on the real reason why we’re together at this time of the year, at the same time the rest was toned down as well.
It helps eliminate those real highs and lows at holiday time. (Could be adulthood too, but judging from the seasonal nightmare letters to advice columnists from adults, probably not.)
Most of the gifts are for the grandchildren…lots of clothes and books, of course! I’m pleased to see the Crais book, Suspect, on your gift list. That was one of my favorites this year. Have you read any other mystery novels where a dog was a main character, with her own point of view? So unique.
I’m trying to simplify the holidays this year as well. I make presents every year, trying to personalize my gifts. My husband and I always give books to each other, usually thick hardcovers to read during the winter.
Being with family and friends is what is important. Not the gifts, although I do love giving something that the person doesn’t except. It’s a great time of the year to be generous to those in need.
This year I am giving a lot of people on my list some of my photographs. I take a lot of nature shots and got some really good ones. Some are getting calendars and a photo book. My aunt and parents are getting the photo of their choice printed into large print.
I have a few gifts to buy yet but more than half done and rest will be done this weekend.
Lol. I just posted a picture of my naked Christmas tree on facebook. It’s been like that since Sunday and I don’t see it changing anytime soon. I created a tradition of giving my kids new pjs on Christmas Eve. They always wanted to open one gift the night before, so I made it a gift that I chose. I didn’t do it one year and I heard about it for the next 12 months. And here I’d believed they thought it was kinda lame that mom gave them pjs. So pjs are definitely under the tree this year.
Great shopping list Laura! I really liked Suspect & Divergent and have Wonder on my wish list. I usually do bookstore gift cards instead of picking out books for people. But this year I’m buying Dr Sleep for my uncle and the Hunger Games Trilogy for my youngest sister.
We’re switching to a Yankee swap this year – the focus will be on enjoying our time together.
I’m impressed that you’re so ready for the holidays already! And I love the photo calendars … my sister makes me mugs with pictures of my niece and nephews on them.