I confess, I have the shopping gene. Blame my mom, who must have baptized me in the scent of the air of Macy’s and its scintillating counterpart, that lovely oxygen of Nordstrom. It’s lucky (for my bank balance) that we don’t live closer, but when we get together, it’s all about checking the racks and seeing what’s out there.It’s a tradition that I share with my niece and sister-in-law and we (of course) took ourselves out on Black Friday to start the season right. And starting it right, and continuing it…um, right, means that I not only buy for those on my list, but I also buy for myself. (Sue me! I’m surrounded by guys who wouldn’t know a cute sweater if I wrapped their heads in it!)
So, just like I did last year (I did, didn’t I?), I’m going to be honest about what purchases for Christie have gone into my Christmas bags. I do this for you, so that you don’t have to feel as if you’re the only one thinking, “Hey! This would be perfect…for me.”
First off, if it’s something you can wear to a holiday party, it doesn’t count. (But I will tell you anyway: Black sequined tunic, holiday-red dress.)
Black, angle-length stiletto boots. Yes, I will wear these to a holiday party, but since I have some other, knee-length black boots, feel I must list them. (However, GREAT sale.)
Two long-sleeved T-shirts and two short-sleeved T-shirts. Again, a sale. And let me add that my niece and s-i-l don’t like to buy alone, okay?
A pair of skinny jeans. Black. I’m thinking of taking these back, though they go so great with the black tunic and the awesome boots. Still, pre-Christmas is just not the time to buy "skinny" jeans, y’know?
Eight holiday plates, eight holiday mugs, eight holiday bowls. They are so cute. At my grocery store, of all places, and 75 percent off before Christmas! They’ll be perfect for Christmas morning, and yes, there’s only four of us, but Christmas Eve another family is coming over so I’ll use them for my traditional casual pasta dinner too.
Now, it’s your turn to confess (even if it's how saintly you've been and that you haven't bought a thing for yourself). Did you bring home a gift or two for you? One lucky commenter will win my holiday books, Must Love Mistletoe and Not Another New Year’s as part of our Twelve Days of Christmas Giveaway!
37 comments:
Christie, for shame, I know, but I'm not a shopper. In my family, that gene seems to skip a generation. My mom and daughter love it!
So ... I've been a saint! Now when I go back out AFTER xmas to return things that didn't work for the kids, then I'll probably be pouring over the sales racks.
I confess, I want tall black boots.
Christie - thank you thank you thank you. I've been wanting to get something off my chest. Yes. I, too, confess. When I went gift shopping the other day, I bought something for myself. Whew! that feels good.
And those earrings?? Wow! they look great:o)
WELL.... I went xmas shopping supposably for the kids and I found a cute black dress with some cute heels to wear with it. Then I absent mindedly walked into Victorias secret and bought some perfume and some bras which my daughter asked for but I thought why not. I never really get anything anyway and what they don't know won't hurt them. Right?
Yay! I'm not the only one. I confess I tell people when they ask what I want for Xmas, that I don't need anything. (WHich is true.) And yet, I want a lot of stuff. Just bought the 5-season set of Angel DVDs at Amazon the other day. It was on sale for less than half price! How could I not?
Helen: You'll look great in tall black boots. I have some and now the shorter ones too. The sales will be fab starting December 26th as well.
Cindy: Earrings? I picked out for Surfer Guy to get me some really cute ones at Macy's. All on sale (because, yes, three pair!)
Kimmy: See, you've got it. No one is going to know you need/look great in the black dress and those heels. As for perfume and bras...I have to buy those for myself as well.
Anyone tried the Ann Taylor perfume? It was just recommended to me and I want to try it out.
Oh, that reminds me, Michele. I've been thinking about getting Firefly on DVD. I'll go check out the prices.
Confession time: Flyboy and I always say that we will not exchange gifts because we get stuff as we need it throughout the year and then... we take the kids out and buy stuff for each other in their names:) We guide them towards the items that we really want (of which they pick one thing) and then of course they pick something they think we need. Last year Flyboy got a lovely pair of pickle pajama bottoms! Who knows what method we'll use as they get older but for now, it works.
Besides, who can pass up the holiday sales. I look at it this way- it is sound financial advice, and good common sense, to shop during the sales. We are actually helping ourselves save money! How's that for justification-wink wink-
Lol, finally I can admit it! But I'm sooooo not a shopper. Nope. Only go when I absolutely have to because you know, that's my writing time! I can't give up writing to look through stores.
So when holiday shopping takes me to the stores I shun for most of the year, it'd be silly not to pick up those things I've been needing, right?
Holiday dishes? Check. Also sent my kids a website so they could continue the collection for me. Add to that two cute vests, two pair of pants and a sweater. (My clothes were all at the dry cleaner. Really!)
Hmm, what else? A new Santa for my collection. And I had a couple bare spots when I was decorating so I picked up a few things just to fill them. But really, everyone is getting pleasure from those, so they don't really count do they????
I know I do this, and apparently often because I can't remember anything I might have bought. I'm one of those, if I see it and like it, then I'm gonna buy it.
My sister now, she'll buy people movies, OPEN them, WATCH them, and then wrap them up!
I got the shopper thing too, but I don't think it's genetic. Maybe osmosis or something. Lovvvve a good deal. In fact, I love the kind of deal where you can say, I got these boots for 25 cents. My son used to tell me not to admit those things, but now he does it too. So maybe thriftiness IS genetic.
I actually have more fun shopping for things for thekids on my list than myself. Partly because they're so vocal in their enthusiasm at unwrapping longed-for things, partly because it's so easy to find cute clothes that fit them flatteringly. Not the case for post-pregnancy women *sigh*
I hate shopping most of the time too. I don't do a lot of driving and just getting there is half the battle and just forget about me going by myself. I want company and opinions lol. The only thing I seem to buy for myself is BOOKS and that's a good thing lol.
I am not a shopper, so I have been good and have not bought anything for myself. I am really bad about this I hardly ever buy for myself. My hubby is always wanting me to buy my on gifts and I want do it. I will have to confess I did order a new computer monitor, but that was because the one I was using kept going black on me or if it was working the screen would be dancing around. So I kind of needed the monitor. Most of the time I just don't buy for myself unless I really need it.
I HAD to bring home something for myself for my husband to give me for Christmas. After 30 years together, I have learned that I must buy it myself in order to get what I want! ;-)
Merry Christmas!
I definitely have the shopping gene and ruthlessly tamped it down this year. I only bought myself one thing....a camera. No more depending on anyone else to share pictures!!!
(PS - Don't enter me in the contest for your books. I have read them both and they are already on my keeper shelf!)
My sister and I go shopping every Black Friday. It's our only time without her kids all year...so what it there are thousands of other people around. This year I bought myself a new camera and a blu-ray dvd player(it was over $100 off normal price). I also got myself a couple of new sweaters(for Christmas parties) too. I did just buy the blackberry storm, but I'm using my Christmas money to pay myself back, so really it's a gift from my dad and grandmother.
Lunaticcafe: I'm thinking I love the idea of pickle pajama bottoms!
But yes, we've been known to do that too...steer the kids to things we know Dad or Mom wants. I try to give them hints for things in their price range when I can.
Kylie: I forgot to mention holiday decorations! (Though I don't think we have to count those._ Surfer Guy was with me when I got the cutest things this year...penguins. I remember I was going to take a picture of them for the blog...I'll have to do that. They're very real looking.
M: It truly is the most fun to shop when the kids are really longing for something. Or when you can surprise them with something you know will make their eyes pop. That's Christmas to me.
Catslady: I love to shop with other women. It's what I miss about having only boys. Nobody wants to shop.
I'm not really a shopper. I buy what I need, when I need it. And of course, the weeks before RWA conference are a shopping nightmare.
But I am SO happy to know I'm not the only one sneaking a personal purchase onto the Amex card at Xmas. I got myself a new pair of jeans and a cute waffle-weave henley top. And when I was buying really great soup mixes to give as gifts, I tossed a few in the cart for me too. When I bought tea for my writing partners (to go with the teapots and mugs) I got tea for me since I love hot tea and it's so darned good for you. I made lavender bath salts for my Red Hat ladies and what was left over goes into MY bathtub now.
Whew! I feel better already. Confession IS good for the soul. :-)
Marilyn
I do usually buy something for myself when I'm shopping for others. I'm not actively looking to buy stuff for myself, but it just so happens that things my size and style are on sale and it would be a waste if I didn't buy them.
okay here goes, I bought myself a tennis bracelet with three different colors of stones(purple, pink and white. it is gorgeous.
I can't go to the electronics department without looking for the newest Nancy Drew games for computer. I usually manage to sneak one in the cart.
Deidre
Marilyn: So glad to help out! And I'm feeling like tea in the tub right now.
ddurance: Nancy Drew games! I do not know of this. I must find out.
And, um, don't we all agree that Robynl is leading in this little endeavor? A tennis bracelet. Cool, girl.
Ahem, well, I've barely started Christmas shopping but I did buy myself some new books. I'm telling myself that since it was for Jo Leigh's auction, that it was really the least I could do ;)
Sounds like you're set for your Christmas celebrating, Christie! Great shopping!
I think it's great that you bought yourself some great stuff. I haven't bought myself anything yet but I haven't done much shopping yet either. Everyone seems to want gift cards or bigger presents so there has been no browsing yet. I will have to make sure to fix that this week.
Maureen: Yes! Go out and buy yourself something. Books, clothes, tennis bracelets!
The other thing I'm telling myself is that I'm doing something for the economy.
Nope, haven't bought anything for myself. I have been terribly tempted, but have resisted. I am, however, comprising a list of things I'm going to get after the holidays. I will confess, every year I make a list of things I'm going to buy myself in January if I don't get them for Christmas. :I
Vicky, you are so dang practical! I'm quite jealous of your ability to resist temptation.
Went shopping today to look for an "inspirational" book for my secret santa pal at work and ended up buying a book for me (Dead After Dark) and a book for my mom (Death on the Nile). It would appear that I am indeed "inspired":) I think I might buy Dewey for my pal because the inspirational heading has me baffled. Oh well, I just thought I would confess to the folks that understand my rationale.
I hate shopping!
Have purchased gifts for the 2 young grandsons, but the adults don't exchange gifts.
Haven't purchased anything for myself either.
I don't do a lot of shopping. I've bought things for others but have resisted buying anything for myself.....so far. :-)
Lunaticcafe: I'm so glad you found a book for yourself. Good going! Yeah, "inspirational" can mean a lot of different things. I just read an ARC of a book from Guideposts (won't be available until Feb., so no help for you, unfortunately), titled Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Patillo. It's wonderful. Those who don't like their romance overheated will love this, yet it's not preachy in any way. Very chick lit feel. Highly recommend!
Margie: I like your "so far." Really, there's so many good bargains that if you can afford and if you like, it's a good time to pick up a few things.
I am SO returning those skinny jeans, though. I just tried on a pair of old denim pants that show me just how far I need to go before "skinny" returns to my vocabulary. Eeek!
Hi Christie!
Oh I can confess to this with books! Last year, I went to order my son and daughter's book they wanted for Christmas, and you know, you can't beat that free shipping at Amazon. But too did you know they have so many of that buy 3, get one free books? So I had to add that in too because I had to take advantage of that sale along with the free shipping. Don't forget the Bargain book section too! I found one that I missed and it was in the bargain book section and knew they'd be gone before you know it so I really needed to get it. Then too they have daily specials so I ended up finding that one gift that I was to find for my daughter so I got alot of shopping done at once last year! So yes, I do confess that these bargains were calling out to me when I was shopping for my two Children. I told myself last year that I got the books for myself because I don't get any gifts on Christmas so I give them to myself :) LOL.
This year I have already gotten their books and just need to pick up their gift (we only exchange one gift now since I'm not working) but I haven't done that this year to me YET, LOL. There is still a possibly! LOL.
I'm not much of a shopper. But I confess that I always by myself something at Christmas. It makes both me and my husband happy, because he doesn't have to try to figure out what I want. LOL
This year, I bought myself a Kindle.
I got myself a couple CD's and some lingerie from Victoria's Secret.
Okay... I have to confess, I usually do :) However, this year I have not even had the chance to actually buy anything yet!
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