It’s the low buzz of tension building that started when the calendar hit December 1st.  The ultimate countdown has begun. I have two weeks to get the Washington Christmas gift box shopped for and shipped out, and to decide what we will be getting for the relatives back east. It’s agony trying to decipher what would be an appropriate gift for family, that lets face; we don’t know well enough, or know enough about their day-to-day existence to adequately pick out a Christmas gift that will be seen as either useful, practical or appropriate.

Never mind that there are only so many Christmas dollars available per paycheck. Which means prioritizing gift purchasing based on when the packages need to arrive at each geographical location. It takes finesse and intricate planning to pull this feat off each and every Christmas Season.

The easiest on the gift purchasing list will be my children of course. I make each child write out a Christmas wish-list; making a point to emphasize that I need a list with a wide dollar range. Reminding the youngest, that yes, it’s only your parents who will be crazy enough to buy you an item at a dollar range of $100.00 or more. I need cheap wish-list items!

For me, I have always felt Christmas was a time to say, “I love you” with a gift. Unfortunately I feel the love for a long list of family and friends. That list stretches far longer than the Christmas gift budget does. A conundrum that will last right up until Christmas Eve.

This is the month where I have always wished I had an artistic talent that I could put to use, creating Christmas gifts! There’s no use crying over a lack of artistic talent.

So at this point, I thought I would ask the readers here for ideas on Christmas gift-giving that doesn’t break the bank, but communicates “I love you and thought of you this Holiday Season.” Keeping in mind the time crunch, and the lack or artistic talent on my part, any ideas?  Come on folks, I’m feeling the tension of time ticking away far too fast!

“Help me?” (She said, in her best little-girl-whiny-voice)

Love,

3T