So, it seems that I have everything ready for the holidays. I ordered all my gifts fairly early on and all but one have gotten here. However, when I used my Canada Post tracking number today, it says that it's here in Rankin Inlet, so I think I can officially say that I'm done.
As I keep saying, this has been the hardest year ever to get ready for Christmas. I pride myself on being a really good gift-giver and I put a lot of thought and energy into finding the right gifts for people. Also, because I am cheap, I tirelessly search for the best deals on things and comparison shop for days before I make a purchase, which makes my Christmas budget stretch so much further. Since being in the North, I tend to send my family at home gift cards because I can't shop for them, but I try really hard to get Will things that I think he will enjoy. The problem that I have come across (for the second year in a row, I might add) is that Will has a REALLY bad habit of buying things for himself if he wants them. I spent hours and hours online looking for a beer-making kit for him. He has been saying for a while now that he thinks it's a hobby that he would enjoy and he keeps mentioning that he wants to 'look into getting one'. So, one morning as I was getting ready to go to work, I passed by his computer to see him looking at the exact website where I found the kit and mentioning again he wanted to look into getting himself a kit. I admit that I may not have handled it the best, but I got kind of angry at him for saying it, which I think (actually, I know) let him know that he was getting one. When it arrived, I gave it to him so he could start his first batch to have some ready for the Christmas season. As much as I know he enjoys it, I feel a little cheated that I won't get to see his reaction to opening a gift he would have been really excited about.
Another ruined gift was the Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 2 video game. Apparently, it's the top selling game this year and it was a pain in ass to find. He only mentioned it in passing and I made no indication of having heard him say it. Last week, again when I was getting ready for work, I was talking about the new Kings of Leon CD that I had received. I had asked Will if it was cool for me to order it (as I know what it feels like when people buy gifts for themselves that they have bought) and he said he didn't have it for me. He laughed at me for talking about buying myself a gift and then mentioned something about Call of Duty. When I asked him what he was talking about, he admitted that he had bought himself the game. Again, when I got mad, he asked if I had that for him because it was so hard to find. In my haste to show him he was wrong and that I actually DO listen to him, I went to my hiding spot and took the game out and tossed it on the couch. When he picked it up, it actually wasn't the video game, but yet another gift I had for him (collectors edition of The Boondock Saints - his favourite movie). I was so upset by the whole situation, I started to cry and couldn't stop. Three of the five gifts I had for him, he knew about and I was devastated that he would only have a couple things to open Christmas morning. I have ALMOST gotten over it because I know the holiday is not about the gifts, but there's still a twinge there even as I write about it.
Another thing about the holidays that I really, really love is the baking. However, with just the two of us this year, it feels over-indulgent to make a variety of cookies to have. God knows I don't need them and there's no one to really share them with. Add to that the cost of baking supplies from the Northern or Co-op and there's really no reason to do it. I did make one pan, though, and so far, it's kept the baking need at bay.
I am looking forward to a quiet Christmas this year. There will be enough to do around town to keep us busy if we want, but we don't have anyone's expectations to keep up with if we feel like having a day in. With the hoopla that will surround both our and my sister's weddings this summer, I'm going to relish the break.
Read more...