Are you going to shop big this year?

The 'news' tonight is saying people will spend 50% more this year than last.

Uh-huh.

And will continue to do so. I try to make some things, pick some things up at garage sales during the summer, and then finish up at local craft sales and a nice little shop that sells third world arts/crafts who sends all the profits back to the people who make them. No malls, no logos, no guilt.

It really is. :)

bucks are tight this year. :thumbsdown:

I never spend big anyway. I get creative.

and I expect to get back just as much. :D

why support an agressive capitalist season, fuck that shit..

I hate spending during Xmas/HKuh/Kwza/ season...it just reinforces the idea that material gifts are the only thing that matters in this society. "If I really love you, I'll give you this worthless piece of shit watch I bought even though you alrady have a perectly good Timex."

I refuse to spend more than $75 on pre-manufactured gifts, I try to make shit (and I'm a very handy carpenter/electrician.) I'd rather buy some wire and 2x's then a Tickle My AssCrack Elmo...

And your sentiment toward capitalism.

:yourock:

Not big - not tiny...about average. :shrug:

I'm under what I spent last year and will probably bring it in under as well.

Yes, that's right, I keep spreadsheets - mainly just to record what I bought for people in the past, but I added a few formulas to add up my total expenditure as well as the average price per present. I'm also over 60% done with my Christmas shopping (according to one formula), which I do over the internet (primarily Ebay) because it's a lot easier to find interesting gifts for friends with a wide variety of interests - lemurs, lighthouses, bulldogs, Star Wars, Star Trek, Dr Pepper, apple stuff (for a teacher), ferrets, etc. Plus I like to think that it helps the little guy a bit more. I'll still buy some stuff from stores, but most of the things I buy from Ebay are handmade by people with a little side business, and if the merchandise isn't handmade, the sellers are probably still either just individuals or a small business trying to make some extra cash.

It also keeps me holly and jolly by not having to go out to the malls more than once a season and fight the crowd. I'd rather eat Christmas cookies and read on the sofa. :)

And yes, I'm smug about it... Drives my two older sisters crazy. :)

TlalocW

and I could do both if I wanted to. I'm asking people who would normally buy me a gift to donate to Dean instead, and spending on them what I usually do. I'm not even buying a dress for the company Xmas party. In other words, I'm not dumping one dime into this economy until W's gone!

I have a really great family. I almost feel guilty reading what some of you good folks have to say about your evil relatives and family Freepers, 'cause my folks are tops, - even though my brothers are unmittigated oafs.

The thing is, we've never really been about the amount that we spend on each other. We've gotten some really great gifts. But the thing we look forward to every year is the traditional SOteric family act of charity and the big family dinner.

Wine flows, good food is everywhere, great debates are mooted at the table, babies are passed around and photographed with every combination possible of those present. There will be a big Christmas Eve dinner, followed by the ritual family trek to midnight mass. There will be Italian Christmas carols, and paper cones filled with candy and nuts.

Christmas Day will bring the traditional SOteric family Christmas breakfast of Quiche Lorraine and Bloody Mary's. Somewhere in the mix, there will be many sporting events, my brother Al will dance to unheard music with his wife Janey, and at least two children will torment one another until one of them squeals loudly throughout half the house.

Shopping is only a small part.

The best thing about the holidays is that my niece, whose husband died unexpectedly last June, is coming for Christmas. As my daughter says: "I put the *fun* in dysfunctional" ... so she won't have any expectations thrust upon her. We'll surely drive up through Big Sur...hell around with my 94 year old aunt in Pacific Grove - and do our best to spoil my 1 year old great-grandaughter. Anyday I'm with the people I love's a holiday for me. Oh - and we will make the mandatory weird *gingerbread houses* with a group of friends...which is really just another excuse to have a little wine and food and laughter.

Ta hell with * - there are some things he cannot take away from me!

Yeah, with my huge income in the four figures, I'm going to be shopping way large.