So Christmas is over, and I still haven’t recovered yet. On top of trying to find room for the Christmas presents Aaron received, we too have to put away stuff we’ve received too. And with our apartment being small enough as it is, this only means we have to do a bit of purging. For the most part, it’s a good thing, imagine, getting rid of clothes that haven’t been used for a while, or those that were either too small or too big. Then I realize how much stuff do we really buy throughout the years, and how many of them do we really use. It reminds me to buy things out of necessity more than just mere compulsiveness.
I always loved After-Christmas reflections. You know its the “I should’ve bought these presents instead, ” “or next year, I’ll get them these,” “or the next year I’ll be more prepared.”
Overall though, along with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I had fun. I was as prepared as I can be considering the situations laid upon us. I think we were able to appreciate all those that means a lot to us. And most of all, we were able to spend it together as a family.
I remember back in the days when people would be told to bring an item that would have a Minimum Cap and they would go and get a present for at least that amount. Yes, some people still go by the rules. Unfortunately, I’ve noticed in the last decade how things have changed.I’ve personally been a victim of unfair exchange gifts.
I remember a year when I attended a party that requested the gift to be at least $25 of value. What did we buy, a water filter pitcher. Yes it was $25 dollars! And what did we end up with? A small snowman pepper and salt shaker. What a JIP! I was very disappointed! It made me think, was this a joke? No cheap figurine salt and pepper shaker could be $25 dollars! And if it was, it didn’t look like it cost anything more than $7. Again, what a JIP!
Nowadays, there are two kinds of exchange gift trends I’ve been noticing. One is still the “bring a universal present with a minimum amount” or the “Secret Santa that they will list down a wish list of course with a minimum amount as well!”
In regards to the universal present trend that disappointed me, I guess not all people are guilty of giving less than the value required, or what’s worst is a present that you can’t use. But what’s to blame? Unfortunately, it’s bad taste and bad decision making on the giver’s side. I mean, there are plenty of items that you can get for even a low price but still look good. You just have to know where to go and what to get.
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And now about the Secret Santa Exchange Gift. It’s pretty good I guess unless you specifically ask for particular items. That pretty much takes away from the suspense. I mean, if you say you want a Curve for Women cologne, or a $25 dollar Cheesecake Factory gift card. I think just ruins the fun of Exchange gifts.
This weekend, we attended a gift exchange with a $25 dollar universal gift minimum. We brought a digital photo keychain that retails at for $40 dollars. As it turns out, we were the only one who brought a present. Everyone else brought a $25 gift card to somewhere. I was torn. It was nice that people thought it was practical to just buy gift cards. But at the same time, so what’s the point of the Gift Exchange? People are just pretty much giving each other $25. They might as well not have bought gift cards and just stuck with the cash! hahaha!
There’s gotta be a better way! I think there should be a general list of gifts that people would appreciate that are collected from the entire group. They include household items they wouldn’t mind receiving starting from robes, to bed sheets, to throw blankets, particular DVDS, or CDs, etc. I know many people are busy nowadays and gift cards are great solutions, but people should be more creative.
There was a time when I was younger when my friends and I decided to have a $5.00- $10.00 gift exchange. The presents could be fun! I had a blast! Someone brought a big laundry basket with paper towels. Someone brought a disposable camera with a photo album and frame. Another fun one was a case of bottled water.
In conclusion, I really think Exchange Gifts should be fun! If you’re just gonna have one so you can have an activity even though the participants are not really gonna have the time to think about it, they might not really enjoy it as much!
Filed under: reflection
Black friday this year was not as exciting as it used to be. I used to be one of the people who would line up as early as possible at Toys r Us to be able to get out early enough to hit up at least 2 other stops like Target or Best Buy.
It was a couple of years ago when I tried to go with some family members to the Midnight Madness at the Camarillo Outlet. I guess that’s when my love of Black Friday started dying down. To me, it was disappointing. Being there so early in the cold with long lines and too many people and you don’t even know what they have till you go inside. It’s hard to concentrate on what you really want to buy. Many times, you’ll just buy out of compulsion. That was a shopping trip that I ended up buying nothing at all =(
Last year, I went to the Black Friday Sales at the mall. It was just as crazy! Too many people and I felt hurried. Even though mall ads do tell you what they have on as a Doorbuster, of course you still want to look around. So once again, I was tired and learned my lesson for the 2nd time.
This year, I have other priorities. Instead of buying all these pricey toys for other children, I have my own I need to worry about. I wouldn’t buy other kids presents that would cost more than what I would buy my own child. In addition to that, as a mommy, sleep in priceless. I can’t afford to wake up that early and be tired for the rest of the day when I have a child to care for.
My solution, I started shopping early throughout the year. Finding bargains wherever I can. They can be stuff I purchase online or at department stores during other sales that are not as hectic.
Don’t let this entry discourage you about Black Friday. It’s not meant to do so. I just wanted to share with you my experience with Black Friday shopping throughout the last few years. Hopefully, yours was much more exciting. And you can bet I’m still looking forward to those BF Ad Scans online even before they are out on the paper the day before Thanksgiving =)
