Christmas shopping 🛍

I wish I could get into the Christmas spirit and ‘feel the love’ for shopping. I am determined that I am going to buy gifts this year and not hand out gift vouchers or cheques. However, the caveat is my family in the USA who will have dollars because I wouldn’t have a clue what to get them and the postage would cost an arm and a leg!

So I am trawling the internet, watching some daytime television (ugh) and desperately trying to think of what I can get family and friends who seem to come up with thoughtful novelty gifts for me each year! I am feeling even more despondent because I received a WhatsApp message from my lovely, organised and thoughtful cousin in South Africa who has significantly more family and friends to cater for, and was wrapping her last gift!

Tomorrow, after the exercise class at the care home, I am going to our local town and will trawl the shops. Chester didn’t inspire me so I am scraping the barrel by going to Northwich! There is a market and a few ‘okay’ shops I can peruse at my leisure. I’ll allow myself a couple of hours and try not to get too stressed! There is a family owned department store that sells delicious gluten free cakes so, if all else fails, I’ll pop in there for some inspiration!

12 hours later…….

I have reviewed my shopping list and written some ideas alongside names. I have also had a good night’s sleep so feel more positive! I’m going to widen my search by going to shops I don’t usually frequent and see if I can find novelty gifts instead of getting hung up on nice but practical!

Another 12 hours later ……..

We have lift off! Barring my mother-in-law and my husband (I know what I’m getting them so just have to order) I have finished my Christmas shopping! I have bought pretty bags and tissue paper so wrapping will be a doddle. I have gone for the fun instead of the practical! My daughter and son-in-law are having a ‘lucky dip’ hamper which should bring a smile to their faces as well as some semi-practical treats!

Today I’ll be getting into the Christmas spirit by helping serve a Christmas lunch on our Park. I take my mother and a carer out for tea this afternoon and meet two very good friends for a Christmas lunch tomorrow.

I wonder if ‘Fitbit’ has programmed Christmas treats for December so will cut me some slack! There again, maybe not! Maybe I’ll just put him back in his box and bring him out again in January! 👠