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November 21, 2013

Vicki Batman ~ Shop-a-rama Begins!


Shop-a-rama Begins


Five Weeks! FIVE WEEKS!! Til Christmas.
Let the shopping begin.

Or if you are like me, you shop year round and probably overbuy. Lol. I stash boxes and bags in a secret spot until one day, when I really need to verify what I bought everyone. I sort it into piles, label a shopping bag with a name, and put that person's gifts in the bag until Wrap-a-thon Day.

My secret spot has so much in it already and I've hardly begun. I have a stack of pages from catalogs by my monitor to buy things on line. Online shopping maybe easy, but when there's a stack—I see an hour or two-ish in my future.



Poor Handsome. He is so not a shopper except for food and workout clothing. I learned early to tear out pages from newspapers and catalogs, and circle with sizes and colors for him. Sometimes, I'll say something and he does come through. It's pretty funny. All he asks for are books. He-he-he. I do have a special little thing up my sleeve for him.

And those boys! This year, they seem to have everything already.

And this year I have my new daughter! That one was easy.

I guess I'm feeling rushed. I won't be home for Thanksgiving this year and that means all the decorating I usually do after Turkey Day will be pushed out. Rush. Rush. Rush.


I'd like to get a great book, my diet Coke and hang out. Sound good?

So are you anticipating a squee-some gift this year? Are you feeling rushed?
Vicki Batman is rejoicing because her new holiday  story, "The Great Fruitcake Bake-off," releases December 6. If you need a rush antidote, try it at: MuseItUp Publishing

To defend her five wins, Samantha Greene, has to find a new entry for The Great Fruitcake Bake-off and teams up with new neighbor, Dixon Roberts, only what they discover is baking a award-winning entry can be complicated, bad guys are plotting to take the crown, and ultimately, first prize isn't just about a ribbon.

19 comments:

Heath Greenis said...

Great post - can't say I get caught up in the Christmas rush although I do appreciate seeing family. We stopped 'shopping' for the adults a few years ago and give money to charities instead. Tax receipts are given in envelopes with certificates we make and print on the computer. Christmas for the less fortunate.
Heather G - Natasha's Dream

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

Hi, Heather! and thank you for stopping by the PP today. I'm with you about buying for the adults--sometimes, just something I might see for my sisters. Your idea of giving to charities is a great one and yes, alleviates the shopping rush!

Unknown said...

Fun post, Vicki!

I think I've started with just a few things here and there, and I am trying to have a 'smaller' Christmas, per the Indispensable Mr. Essex's budget request, but I just can't seem to help myself. But I am restricting myself to mostly practical items, instead of frivolities—which I ADORE!

And I never start decorating until the Sunday after Thanksgiving. (Probably because that's how long it takes me to clean up all the dishes after T-day!!)

Have a happy! Cheers, EE

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

Hi, Ms. Essex: I'm big on buying clothes and they say I have good taste; so I'll keep on buying them something. As for Handsome, I splurge. Shush! He doesn't know. lol. I start the Saturday after Thanksgiving with the decorating. Takes me forever, but I have tons of stuff and love it all. Hugs.

Sylvia said...

Hi Vicki, Like you, I buy year round and then have one big wrapping day. But this year, I've not bought as much and we're celebrating Christmas at Thanksgiving with my family so I only have to buy for my husband and son. But we've all agreed that this year, we're not buying much because we're going to Germany. That's our gift to each other, though I do have a small little something for my hubby. I know he'll get me something, so I have an idea and need to go get it in the next couple of weeks. Love the holidays, but I think I'm going to start using Heather's idea of giving to charities instead.

Unknown said...

As usual, a great post. This year, I've solved the Christmas furor: we're going away to a Caribbean island over the holiday. No gifts, no decorating, no cooking, no going insane. I leave all that to others.

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

Hi, Sylvia! I am in awe of your trip and want a huge report when you return. Travel is a gift of a lifetime. And we should be doing more of it at my house. Hugs.

Hi, Rayne! How wonderful of you to go to the Carribean!!! It is beautiful and I should go back. Instead, the north is calling and we shall head there. oxox

chris keniston said...

I shop all year long too - especially when on trips. I love it when I find something that will make a perfect gift or a loved one.

The problem is too often I find the stashed gift AFTER christmas having forgotten all about the purchase- LOL.

Pamela Stone said...

I wish I was organized to shop year round. However, like someone said, I'd forget I bought it and then find it after Christmas. I do shop early though. And I have a lot of the kids' stuff bought and my daughter-in-law even wrapped them for me. This year we're just buying for the kids so that makes it easier. Plus we're trying to size it down. I admit, I'd sort of gotten out of control. Hard to balance when you are the budget person in the family and also the shopper. It's like a split personality. Ha!

We typically decorate starting the Friday after Thanksgiving and eat T-Day leftovers while we're at it. Works well.

Janie Emaus said...

And what about Hanukah - next week? Before Thanksgiving!

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

Hi, Chris! I think the fun in traveling is finding that something special from that place. I gravitate to boutiques with handmade items. Now, that's fun!

Hi, Pam! I had to put every gift I've bought in one closet, label it. Then I know where to go. Otherwise, I'd be a mess. I have to tell on Handsome. I asked a friend to make me a shrug and when finished, gave to him and said I'd like this for my birthday. Two months later, he'd still forgotten and it was in a bag on the floor by his shoes. lol

Hi, Janie! Yes, Hannukah comes early this year and it's a combined holiday! Do you have special plans?

Linda Steinberg said...

My daughter, who comes in from California for Thanksgiving, will actually be here for the first night of Chanukah this year. I don't worry much about Christmas presents, but there are those eight nights of Chanukah for the granddaughter. I stash stuff to give to her all year in that secret place, then I forget what I've already bought for her. Time to sort out the stash and start wrapping!

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

Hi, Linda! I'd say it is crunch time for you to get those gifts wrapped for Hannukah. Have fun and Happy Thanksgiveikah to you.

Angela Adams said...

I started my Christmas shopping during the summer. If I saw a good buy for a friend or family member, I just couldn't resist.

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

Hi, Angela! You are I are efficient shoppers. LOL I'm going to go through my bags now because my online gifts are coming in and they need to go in the right spot. Happy day!

Kathy Ivan said...

Am I the only one who hasn't even started yet. Things have been so hectic this year that Christmas has been the last thing on my mind. :-)

I guess I'm going to be braving the crowds and venturing out on Black Friday and trying to find all the stuff that I need to get. (Although since I have to mail so much of it away, I usually end up with lots of gift cards for the non-local folks).

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

Hi, Kathy! We need to get you out more, girlfriend. But let me introduce you to online shopping.... hugs

Melissa Keir said...

I've got a few things set aside but my kids are all adults now and want money or gift cards. Hubby and I buy a gift for the house for us together. It's nice but he likes to surprise me. I don't like to really shop, so online is perfect for me!

Thanks for sharing!

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

Hi, Melissa! I tuck a few gift cards in stockings, but am still into buying clothing---hehehe--and handbags. Have a happy thanksgiving. hugs