December 11, 2010

Christmas Shopping: Part 2



For the first decade of my marriage, I refused to buy any of my own Christmas presents. Instead, I gave my husband a list and felt slightly unloved as he put off all the shopping until Christmas Eve.

In years 11 and 12, I bought my own presents, but refused to wrap them.

This year, I saved my husband (who breaks into a cold sweat at the sight of the mall) the trouble.

"What did I buy you? he giggled nervously, eying a box with my name on it.

"Something expensive," I replied.

Actually, it's just a blender.

But I like to see him sweat.

*****
Happy Holiday Shopping!

*****
If you haven't entered the Shabby Apple Dress giveaway yet, you'd better hurry up! Time is almost up!

On a related note, I haven't run giveaways for a long time because I had a couple of bad experiences and got kind of cranky about them for awhile. However, working with the truly fantastic ladies at Shabby Apple made me remember how fun they are and why I liked doing them in the first place. If you have something GOOD that you're looking to promote that is not a blanket with arm holes or any of its handmade relatives, I'm ready to hear it! Shoot me an email.

25 comments

Laurie said...

Oh my gosh, you just sealed the deal on being my hero. I love it! Serves him right for not being on top of things on Christmas. I would love to do that to my husband, it'd be great. We've kind of quit giving gifs to each other at Christmas, it's been easier. Then I feel more justified buying stuff for myself the rest of the year. Happy Holidays!

Pam the Realtor said...

After 27 years of marriage, I've been buying my own Christmas gifts for a while. This year he has gotten me a beautiful red Coach purse. You'd think he would learn by now that it might be cheaper to do it himself!

Kristin said...

Our first Christmas my husband bought my entire Christmas from the store where he was working - a music store. I'm not that into music. He also waits to shop until Christmas Eve and it makes me crazy! But at least he does go off the list and is usually very creative in the wrapping.

Melodie said...

Our first Christmas, my husband bought me Chapstick - tons and tons of Chapstick (I think he was tired of me "borrowing" his). That was Christmas 2005. Last month, I purchased my first tube of Chapstick since then. I wonder what I'll be getting this year...

Lani said...

That's how it goes a lot of the time around here too. For my last birthday, he got me another muffin pan (have to admit it is useful to have 2, but I'm really not that into baking) and a cookbook dedicated entirely to decoarative cupcakes. Why? Because my 7 yo and 5 yo assured him I would LOVE it. (And of course he went shopping on the day of.)

Anonymous said...

My husband and I are going on 14 years and he still waits until Christmas Eve to do his shopping. As long as he gets it done, it doesn't bother me.

However I do have a backup plan. I buy myself a gift, wrap it, put it under the tree, and then pretend I have no idea where it came from.

Anonymous said...

What a great idea! We dont have much money with 4 kids to buy for, and my husband "forgets" me, so what a great idea! Maybe a pair of cool(but inexpensive) earrings or a scarf will be under the tree for me this year.......

Lissa said...

When I was in high school I used to shop ON x-mas eve... then I got better about it AND I liked to shop... Now I don't like to go near the mall, I have a child who can do short spurts (like minutes) - which frankly I'm thankful for because last year, she couldn't, a husband who doesn't much see the point in the holidays and forced gift giving.... all in all, between that, lack of funds, and a plethora of gifts to give? We've managed to get for my daughter, and her cousins, and that's about it. I still have MUCH to do. But frankly, food shopping takes precedence.

Feeling kinda blah about it.

You're kinda my hero too.

Liss

Mal said...

My husband is the one who's always on top of the gift-giving. He always remembers for my birthday and Christmas, even our first anniversary (before we decided we would just have a nice date and call it good). And he always gets GREAT gifts! I'm the one who's scrambling around trying to figure out what he'd like and where I can find it for a good price. Man, he really keeps me on my toes!

Mindy said...

That is just what I need!! After almost 11, my blender kicked the bucket, rather stickily when the motor burned out. (Rest in peace blender!) Instead, I will end up getting post-it notes, sharpies, and make-up sponges. I have enough of all of those to last me through the apocalypse. Enjoy your new blender for me. :)

Teresa said...

my husband has never been a good shopper. some years, there would be nothing under the tree. other years (not often he'd have everything i mentioned that i was interested in. the latter was very few and far between. until about 2002 when i had a christmas day meltdown. everyone had gifts under the tree except for me. he'd even gone shopping one day so i thought he was getting me something, but he didn't. he didn't even get me a card. he hasn't forgotten to get me something since then.

now though, with his health the way it is and the fact that most of our money has gone to medical bills, there's really nothing to spend and no way for him to get it. so, we've done christmas gifts for the grandkids and i bought him 3 shirts (he needed them) but i'm not expecting anything.

Anonymous said...

My husband has to have a list made and drawn with directions to the store and prices included if I want a present.... This year, I got him to pick up some books that I have been dying to read and told him to wrap it up... no surprises this year for me!... maybe!

Anonymous said...

That is why I prefer to do online shopping :P..
I don't usually buy expensive items for my wife, I am always looking for discounts :P
I prefer to compare the prices at this Online Shopping Site

Just Plain Tired said...

I was married once, a long time ago, and never would have gotten away with not doing Christmas shopping myself.

The Meditative Mom said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Meditative Mom said...

I'd like to introduce to you the scrubbie. It's a fantastic towel with arm holes. Interested?
Jk funny post!

stayathomemummy said...

This year my husband & I have chosen our own gifts but we are having a small £5 budget to buy suprise things - the best of both worlds!! Stacey x

Angelica Bays, TygrLilies.blogspot.com said...

Wow!
I don't know which was funnier- your story or that funky broken link!

Mrs. Tuna said...

If I want the correct horse equipment, gotta buy it myself. I'm lucky now, the kid is old enough to take her dadddy's credit card and do his shopping for him. One drawback is we wear the same size and sometimes things Santa buys me mysteriously migrates to her closet.

Lisa said...

Don't hate me, but in a surprise turn of events, my husband this year bought his own gifts. I don't even have to step foot into a golf store! If that's not love I don't know what is.

Brian said...

That is such a good idea! I wish my gf would just buy her own as well. Not because I hate shopping, but because I can't keep up with her ever changing wish list.

Kayleen said...

That blender could have been really expensive if you got a vitamix 5200. They run $400 at least. Love mine!!!

The Tall Girl Cooks said...

We are coming up on 10 years of marriage and I figured out after 4 that if I wanted anything off my list I would have to get it myself because DH would wait until Christmas Eve to shop and by then everything is gone. He still complains that I shop for myself but it's his own darn fault. And I've been very happy with my gifts the last few years!

Anonymous said...

"Male and female shopping styles evolved from hunter/gatherers. These traits can be seen at malls: females browse and forage, and males want to kill someone."

Lisa Smith said...

HA HA HA HA HA...I LOVE this post! For the first time ever...I bought my own Christmas Gift too. I was in a store...saw a purse I LOVED...knew Wayne would never ever ever agree to buy it for me...so I did it myself! Turns out...he loved not having to guess what I wanted...and I loved receiving something that truly made me smile. And what-do-ya-know...it happened at our 12 years of marriage mark too! ha ha!