As I had mentioned earlier, I’ve been struggling to get gifts for only a few people.
I had sent my wishlist by the end of the first week in December. It’s been a hard time trying to get into the holiday sprit for number of reasons. The economy, the “Fiscal Cliff”, if you want to count the Hurricane Sandy aftermath or even the Newtown tragedy could be a considerable factors to not getting into the spirit of giving.
I blame the lack of spirt is not seeing snow on my yard. (I can’t fantom how Australians can be in the spirit with warm climate.) I think this Fiscal Cliff whether or not you follow the politics or markets is making people nervous about January 1st and after that. I think there also is a lack of deals in the retail world (a BIG thank you JCPenny!) Another part  could be a lack of motivation, going back to my previous point. And I don’t think its because I am older and I hope for bigger and better presents.
Another issue is how the number crunchers have said the toy business is at its worst year in about 30 years, since keeping statistics 30 something years ago. Some believe the big boy toys like the iPad are hurting the business since there are now pint-sized people using the iPad as the primary toy. (For you Lego users like moi – the construction side of the toy industry are doing just fine. Doesn’t hurt that Lego has a big ad budget to place commercials like a 1:00pm Sunday afternoon football game!) Also there will be less children, births are going down – and that won’t be good for the toy business!
And what is so bad about not shopping for yourself? Sometimes there is need for a distraction. In fact I’ve done this when I had been shopping. I just use that window-shopping (or even actual self shopping) as a way to reflect and rebound to shop for others. I was at the local Dollar Tree the other night and a mother got very testy to one of her kids that they need to shop for others. I guess its different for a kids mind .
My mind might be changing, but I do know for a fact that Christmas is a time of giving (whether they are objects, etc.) but I do know it’s about love and the thought of it. I do know that I’ve been missing “something” for quite a while. I’m missing my other part of my family members that have gotten too self-abosrbed and “overclocking” their brains to death; I’m on my second Christmas without my old social circle, which I have to accept as part of a previous live; and third most guys around my age have someone that is or will become their wife that are probably going to be together with ones family tomorrow – something I (or my mother can “relate”) have not had yet.
Even if I had spent over a $100+ budget that I didn’t have – I’m not too concerned. My favorite belief is what the thought that counts. I believe thats the true value.
Excuse me as I finish wrapping my remaining presents.