I sat down on Monday and found I had five delivered boxes sitting at my feet staring up at me. The result of a late weekend night buying spree initiated by stress over getting all of my holiday gifts in time. And as I threw on my coat ready to deliver the soon to be gifts to my car.. I blushed. Have I made the holidays too impersonal?
I am not a shopper. I don't like it, never have. Give me the quickest and easiest way to get the job done and I'm happy. Which is fine if I'm buying for myself, but I have to admit.. using it to pick up presents for my nieces and nephew who I adore, made me feel like a fraud. I say that with a caveat, that I only bought some things online. I have forced myself to stores this year in search of other gifts I wasn't so sure of. But given the thought they might need to return something, and I have to hand over an online receipt, made me feel slightly embarrassed.
What are your feelings using the Internet to spread holiday cheer? Are gift cards a lazy way out, or a thoughtful way to allow friends and family to spoil themselves? And are we all too focused on gift giving, instead of giving cheer?
Lets hear your shopping etiquette.
Comments (1)
I find using the internet is good as a tool but not the end means. Call me old fashion (I'm 39) but the fact is, for me personally, part of the holiday experience (season) is going out and buying the gift. For the rest of the year I use your method, in and out and I'm done.
The key for me has always been to listen, observe throughout the year and be creative in seeing what they would enjoy. Those who we are close to in our life always leave hints without realizing it.
In the end, it's something that say you've thought about me as a person and not a name on a list to rush thru by sitting down in front of a screen and hitting enter.
Good point. I do find things throughout the year too, my problem is when it comes to Christmas time, I forget what they are!
-Amy
Posted by Paul | January 3, 2008 1:36 PM
Posted on January 3, 2008 13:36