For the first time ever, I'm ready. The shopping and decorating was all done by the end of Thanksgiving weekend, and for those of you who really know me, and might question me on that - yes we do, indeed have a tree up, stockings on the mantel and lights on the rooftop! Now, I'm not saying that they won't still be up on Valentine's Day - but either way, I'm done with the hustle and bustle - for now.
I even shopped for myself. Found a few things I needed, gave them to my husband and said "you owe me $XXX". He had the strangest look on his face and said "you ARE kidding, right?". Ummmm, not really. My family has always been on the practical side, especially when it comes to spending money on gifts. My mother taught me that at an early age, family gifts for aunts, uncles and cousins - it was always flashlights, tape measures, smoke detectors and if memory serves me right, even a plunger once. My cousins always loved her gifts as they were always crisp and green, right from the bank. We used to buy my granddaddy cases of chewing gum, the kind that didn't stick to his dentures.
Some people don't understand the meaning behind practical gifts. They misunderstand practicality for being insensitive or impersonal. When I receive a practical gift I really appreciate it - much more so than a tchotchke that will probably wind up in the next garage sale or in a pile for goodwill. To me, it also means that the person who gives me the practical gift knows me well enough, and that is far from being insensitive. I guess the thing I need to learn is that not everyone values a good garden hose quite like I do.With decorating for the holidays in mind, I'd like for you to consider entering our golf cart decorating contest! Submit your photos on our website, www.welcomehomergv.com - Top prize gets a $30 gift certificate to Mimi's Cafe, 2nd gets a $25 card to Cracker Barrel, and 3rd place gets $20 in gift cards from Rudy's BBQ! While you're on our site, make sure you register for our weekly give aways - this week we'll be giving away a sunset dolphin watch for two compliments of Breakaway Cruises.
Here's to the holidays!
Kristi