What? Already?

Now that Halloween is over, I'm moving on to the next BIG thing. (In the US, it really should be Thanksgiving, but I'm not American and I keep forgetting about it.)

I have been alarmed, some might say irritated, by both mother and mother-in-law quizzing me about suitable Christmas presents, (suggestions for which, you know, will be ignored). Embarrassingly however, I too have fallen foul of the October/November Christmas shopping, although I have the excuse of a) having a hell of a lot more presnts to buy than they do, and b) a punitively early air mail deadline if they're not on strike).

Anyway, instead of binning the catalogs that landed on the hall mat last week, I took a look through and was instantly hooked. There were several "clever" but not too corny t-shirts that will do for certain members, a discreet little plaque* relating to wine that will do for another, and a pair of slippers that are actually quite funny. (The great thing about slippers is that they don't have to fit perfectly therefore are safe to buy without trying on.)

So yes, I've been doing some Christmas shopping. Hurl abuse if you will. Tell me I've got too much time on my hands (ha) what with all three kids in full time school now. I'll just assume you're jealous of my copious free time and organizational skills. And for those of you who either haven't thought about it yet, or haven't had time, here are a few gift ideas for recipients who have everything, buy themselves what they need or are just too plain difficult to buy for:

This, apparently, is a mousepad with drum sensor thingies. Probably will please a teenager on the actual morning of Christmas (which is what you want), but the novelty will wear off on one of you before too long. And if they have a laptop - it won't work!!

A tape measure belt. My personal idea of Hell, but it could either be given to a skinny (bitch) friend, who'd be only too pleased to show off that number, or a slightly "large" friend who can wear it in the comfort of her own cupboard. Or yourself, when you need a kick up the proverbial. (If you need a kick that is.)

This is a snowball launcher, which looks like great fun (if you have a lot of snow, obviously). If you live in the US you'll probably need to get the "victims" to sign a waiver or two before play commences, and if you're in the UK you might want to make sure that it doesn't come under the ever-growing category of "child abuse".


This is my personal favourite, although it's not technically a present. Unless you're a carpenter. Isn't it fab though?!

* catalog order arrived yesterday and the bloody plaque was broken. Grrr.