Do You Long For A Good Old Traditional Christmas

With the festive season fast approaching and gifts to be purchased, I decided it was high time I looked into buying my presents early.

When the kids were younger, Christmas seemed so much easier.  Back in the good old days when the brilliant Woolworths were still on the high street, it was wonderful as all I had to do was call in there and pick up all their prezzies in one hit.  Unfortunately now that the dreaded teenage years are upon us, Christmas seems far more complicated, not to mention costly.

It seems that long gone are the days of toys under £5 being sufficient. Unfortunately this year, on top of one of their lists is Series 1 to 7 of the tv show 24.  Imagine my face, when I saw the other one's list and saw that she has a laptop heading the list. Of course, it's not just any old laptop she wants, it's got to be in her favourite pink colour and do lots of functions that I haven't even heard of.

I really wish that sometimes I could turn the clock back a bit and have them all sweet and little again. 

Don't get me wrong though, I absolutely love the whole idea of Christmas, but over the years it all seems to have got out of hand.

My ideal Christmas would be to have all the family around, with a log fire roaring, and us all singing a few songs round the piano.

In reality, some of the family might turn up, already drunk, the log fire won’t go on as all the tinsel will be draped over the fireplace, and the closest we will get to singing a few songs, will be on Singstar.   Oh my how things have progressed – or not!

I have already had Christmas lists in from my nieces.  I have always been honest with them and said I really don't care what I spend on their presents, but let me know exactly what you want.   Having cast a quick glance at their lists, it looks like one of them wants some silver jewellery, the other said could I get her some silver earrings or maybe if I could stretch to it some gemstone jewellery.

I know a lot of people might see their lists as being a bit cheeky, but me I'm more than happy with them.    I know what they want, I know where to get it and if I play my cards right, I don’t even have to leave my house to get it.    Oh the powers of the Internet are great and this year perhaps most of my Christmas shopping can be done without having to leave the house.

There seem to be plenty of bargains around, so for now I need to get back to my shopping.