People typically on a christmas list include: immediate family members, extended family members, genuine close friends, “close” friends that you actually haven’t talked to in months, and then the random people that you tell yourself you are taking off your list but never seem to make any adjustments (like coworkers or your mailman). Christmas shopping is hectic, time consuming, and an overall pain in the ass... especially if you have absolutely no idea what to get someone on your list.
You walk into the mall, list in hand, and immediately panic. Where do you start? You have no idea what practical gifts to get any of the people on your Christmas list (especially the extended family members). The stores are packed and you are walking around aimlessly, hoping that you will spy the perfect gift for your second cousin that you haven’t seen since the family reunion 3 years ago. After a few hours of window shopping and taking advantage of the free lotion samples at Bath & Body Works, you decide that you need a new Christmas shopping method. But first, you need a coffee.
At the beginning of the Christmas season (realistically 2 weeks before Christmas because you are always behind schedule) you had planned to get meaningful gifts for all of the recipients on your list, just as you plan every year. But your time is valuable and you would rather be relaxing on the couch watching Christmas movies and drinking eggnog, than reenacting the Hunger Games at your local mall.
Therefore, you re-track your steps and steer away from the significant gifts idea, and begin your new search for more broad and simplistic items. A wool scarf for your aunt that you are pretty sure lives in cold climate, fuzzy Christmas themed socks for that cousin from the reunion, a “Life Is Good” shirt for your weird uncle, a Snuggie for your grandma because the commercial always shows older women using one, and a 15 dollar gift card for that one person you just completely give up on. These go-to gifts are not extremely heartfelt but it is the thought that counts, right? It’s better than re-gifting that vanilla scented candle you have never used.
You eventually evacuate the mall war zone feeling exhausted yet relieved that you made it out alive, and not as broke as you thought you would be. All that’s left is to wrap the overly generic presents and sign the same note on every card. “Merry Christmas, ____! Love/From (depending on your comfort level),____”. Wait, did you even buy wrapping paper or a card? You’ll figure it out later because now it is time for your well deserved eggnog.
