Monday 2 November 2009

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.

21 comments:

  1. Wooo hooo! I LOVE catalogues and I have endless online shops bookmarked. But I rarely buy, I just dog ear the catalogues until they're out of date. Sad really. So reading this has reminded me I need to get a move on and start looking for real and get buying. One of my faves in the UK is Notonthehighstreet.com because its like one giant boutique mall online. I dont even have to get dressed, hurrah!

    I would be terrified of the measuring belt--like scales I would be using it all the time and fretting every time I did. Love the drawer/stairs (until someone forgets to push the drawer in that is!).

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  2. I love the stair drawers, brilliant! Not sure they would be allowed under Health and Safety regs?! ;-)

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  3. I can't remember where I saw them but if you do a search on "stair drawers" there are quite a few links on them. They'd be great in my house as I pile all the stuff at the bottom of the stairs to take up. I'd just open a drawer and slide it all in.
    I would worry however about coming down the stairs in the dark and my kids leave everything open. Broken ankles at the very least I'd say.

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  4. Where were the cool-t-shirts from? My English niece wants an Obama t-shirt and all I can find are men's huge things.
    I really like the stairs compartment - what a great place to hide things!

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  5. Great gift ideas...love the stairs drawer! brilliant!

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  6. ...so why do the inlaws and parents ask what to get for christmas presents and then buy exaxtly what they think, they should have...whihc is mostly unsuitable and unwanted. At least the charity shops benefit.
    I have known my inlaws for 34 years and each year I receive bath salts smellies and the like... I have allergies and cannot use perfumed bath products... my daughter smiles and says thank you as her pile mounts up with my gift...its the thought that counts eh?

    thanksgiving the one holiday l believe in, and would like to adopt in this country, screw halloween, guy fawkes, easter and even christmas once we reach 25+, lets adopt thanksgiving and all it represents.

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  8. Great post! Love the ideas that it has inspired for me.

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  9. Hi - have come your way via rotwatch. I have just been informed that my Christmas present buying requirements are to be slashed as my sister-in-law has imposed a 'no presents' rule for that branch of the family. Glad I hadn't started already then....

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  10. Pam - they were huge men's shirts I'm afraid.
    CM - I hate it when one member of the family imposes a rule without even bothering to askopinions first. I'm the eldest sibling and I wouldn't dream of doing that unilaterally.

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  11. Read this post about three hours ago and just found myself giggling again about your comments on the snowball thingy. YOu're too funny!

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  12. I can see so many accidents happening with those stairs-its frightening. Nearly as horrible as the tape measure belt. Help!!

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  13. No agree tape measure thingy HELL, stair thingy far too organised and I would be bound to leave it open then tread in it early in the morning and thus hurt myself which would be sad but snow ball launcher - bring it on! Brill presnet except we never get snow in England or if we do it's all at the wrong time and is the wrong snow ( well that's what network Rail is always saying!) Roll on Christmas!

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  14. Oh yes, can I have the snow ball launcher please? I have been good, honest.

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  15. Broken, eh? That'll teach you to be so organised... (!)

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  16. I'm ordering presents from Marks and Sparks for the British crowd, as that sodding postal strike will no doubt drag on until Christmas.........

    Gill in Canada

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  17. Actually Gill, you've just reminded me to do that (nearer the time of course) because we get all the VAT deducted by dint of our international address and credit card. Better than a poke in the eye with a erm, what was that again? A sharp stick?

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  18. Ah, I loved that stair storage idea until the logical amongst you all made me realise that there'd be certain accidents with drawers left open etc. For sure.

    Christmas present shopping = hell. I'm with whoever it was who wanted to cancel Christmas.

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  19. Sign me up for one of those belts (not). You are going to kill me I did all my Christmas shopping (and wrapping) when I was in california over the summer...

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  20. I agree on the belt -- talk about broadcasting your dimensions to the world!

    Well done you on getting a head start on your shopping. No sarcasm in that last sentence at all! *wink*

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