Christmas?
My brain is saying no. The mild weather in Southern California agrees with me. No, I am not quite there yet but Christmas is a mere seven weeks away. Did you know that? The Hub and I got into a heated discussion about it. He prefers to let it creep up on him, but he’s not the one who does the buying, or the cooking or really any of it. Okay, he handles the Christmas lights (and has fallen off the roof twice). I do all the rest and I don’t complain because I LOVE Christmas.
I love Thanksgiving, too. I’ve been compiling my gluten-free recipes as this will be my first gluten-free Thanksgiving meal. This year though, I don’t want to wait until Black Friday to get the shopping started. I have two reasons for this. The first, is that it’s just easier to buy a little at a time and I tend to make better decisions when not pressed for time. The second, is that the family business is still teetering on collapse so I have to shop in small spurts in order to afford things. There, I said it.
This year, there may be more bookish gifts than in previous years. I’ve already bought this for The Boy:
The Boy is a visionary so there was no way for me to pass this one by without the opportunity to wrap it up in red and white and stick it under the tree. The tree that I know will be attacked in some way by the Otter Pup.
I haven’t yet, but I would love to buy The Girl these books. She also wants a Kindle. That is a discussion for another time. They are affordable enough, but I really don’t want her to download books willy-nilly. Not unless I become-famous-from-some-reality-TV-show-get -married-for-only-72-days-and-then-file-for-divorce. Smirk. I could probably afford the willy-nilly downloading of books then.
Of course, with every trip to the bookstore I feel as if I must pick-up a little something for myself. Except, this bookstore is in London.
There is something very special about Persephone books. I find that I seem to crave them (yearn for them?) only at Christmas.
Are you thinking about the holidays yet? I can’t wait to read King’s new one over Thanksgiving break. I have it all planned.
Book Chatter 
Sounds like you have a plan for the holidays! I haven’t had time to think about it. I’m planning other things at the moment! I do have two gifts for the holidays already bought. Just have to wrap them…and they are not even for the little one or the hubby! LOL
oh, yes, and Stephen King…must get that for myself. LOL
I also am shopping in little spurts this year, and will be buying less altogether if I can. It’s been a tough year for everyone, I think. I have thought about getting my son a Kindle, but have the same issue as you do. I don’t want him downloading books like crazy, Right now he is using mine, and that is working out just fine. I am also looking forward to Thanksgiving, as I am going to see my dad, and that is always a welcome trip. I hope that your preparation for the holidays continues to go well!
I was just thinking this morning I needed to go start looking! Can’t believe how fast it is coming up on us! And naturally, I include myself in the list of people to get presents for! :–)
I also like to let it creep up on me. The past few year we have chosen to give baked good as gifts. I bake, Mr G does the holiday letter and cards. We find it an equitable arrangement. So the only gifts I need to buy are those for a few young friends and I find that great fun.
As for King’s new one I’m waiting on that one. I hope to read Murakami’s 1Q84 over the holidays. Good luck with the Kindle decision!
I work in retail, so Christmas is in full swing as far as we’re concerned! I just started my shopping because, like you, I need to spread the spending out a little bit in order to afford it! I think I am getting a new kindle for myself, from my husband but we’ll see. I can understand your hesitation about getting one for your daughter because of all the downloading.
I don’t think there is a way to monitor how much she would buy…even if you gave her a gift card if she used it up purchases would still go to your credit card…unless you make her promise not to buy anything unless she shows it to you first?
I hate when the economy sucks…fingers crossed for good business success…
I am so sick of 72 day marriages…and anyone involved in them…
I know I’ll be getting my girl the new Ivy & Bean book for Christmas, if she doesn’t download it from the library first. She’s been using her ipod to do that lately. Unfortunately, they don’t have a lot for her age, mostly younger picture and YA books.
I haven’t really thought much about holiday gift giving yet (probably because I’m not very good at it). My husband picked up the Steve Jobs book on his last business trip. I’d like to read it but I don’t know when I’m going to have time.
Ti, I’m with ya! I love Christmas and can’t wait for it! I’ve already started listening to Christmas music as I drive all over town – love it!! And I’ve slowly started my shopping, too. Money is tight and so I’m having to buy when I can. Love the books you’ve picked for The Boy and The Girl – might have to get me that Jobs one. And I know what you mean about Persephones – lovely! I usually join in on the Persephone Secret Santa, but am not sure if I will this year. Ugh! If only I could win the lotto in time 🙂 Anyhow, enjoy getting ready for the holiday season – I know I am going to!
I’m terrible when it comes to the holidays — I never remember, and then scramble to get good gifts. I’m just not wired that way, I guess! I think you’re wise to do so earlier and in smaller batches! I too love Persephone Books — gorgeous!
Ti, you can download lots of free library bookds for “the girl” now (and you) on the Kindle. It’s so easy
We don’t have many to buy for and what we do buy is mostly giftcards as that’s what they prefer. Of couse, when I had kids the age of yours, it was a much different story.
Good luck with the gluten-free meals this year.
The beginning of your post made me laugh. Let me share why.
(actual conversation with the almost Hub this morning)
He: I talked to my mom and told her that we would be down for Thanksgiving.
Me: Oh, is that what you want to do? Does she want me to bring anything?
He: I told her that we would bring everything.
Me: Um, you want me to cook a turkey, bake pies, and all that stuff, then pack it up and bring it down to Oxnard?
He: Well, yeah, you were going to cook anyway right?
You are right, the men in our lives like to let it sneak up on them. and us.
Wishing you the best for business and the week:)
If nothing else, the snow storm was a good reminder that Christmas is coming! I tend to pick up gifts throughout the year if/when I see them – some years are better than others. Since I started my book blog and my book world has expanded, I’m more interested in giving books as gifts…I really think they’re one of the best gifts.
Your son is going to love that gift and I’m sure he’ll read it when he’s older, too. Love the books you want to get your daughter. I’m surprised no one has come out with a kid’s Kindle bright colors with a limit on how much they can download.
I adore Persephone books. There’s something holiday-like about them but I love reading them every once in a while.
Love your Thanksgiving reading plans…have you finished 1Q84? You’re not finished with it yet?!
Don’t say it!! No NO NO NO NO!!!!!
Mr. Jenners bought the Steve Jobs book. I suspect I shall read it at one point. It is HUGE. I feel like he is staring at me too. The cover is very striking but you NOTICE him looking at you.
We have the new Wimpy Kid book on preorder via the Scholastic school book club thing. My son is so excited. And I am too!
YES, I am thinking about the holidays too!!!! I looove this time of year. I’m counting down to Thanksgiving because this time represents the beginning of “the holidays” for me. Starting the day after Thanksgiving I love being out in the crowds at the stores and I *literally* listen to Christmas music non-stop (well, whenever in the car) for the ENTIRE Christmas season. Wow, I did not realize it was 7 weeks away!
This will be my first gluten free Thanksgiving too! The only areas I see as being challenging are finding alternatives for a pumpkin pie crust and then resisting the bread rolls! Luckily sweet potatoes are gluten free!
The only shopping I have started is for my niece and nephew – my SIL has already sent us their “registry” which really makes things easy.
I love to give books for Christmas but since I’ve been blogging, I fear that my family may think that I’ve gotten the books for free and that their book comes with an obligation for them to write a review for me! Looks like you’ve picked some good ones!
I love the holidays too…but I’m like you. I buy in little spurts and always come in under-budget. I’ve stressed over the years to my kids that Christmas isn’t about the gifts. They tend to get those things that they want throughout the year. They’ve always loved getting that truly desired book.
Good to see some early Christmas spirit here, we sure need the boost in our economy, don’t we… both in your country and mine since we’re such close neighbors. I’m excited about all the books being offered for the Christmas season. For me, however, I’d probably do my book purchases online. Thanks for all the suggestions here on your blog.
That Jobs book is so heavy it might just be Otter Pup-proof.
The Otter Pup loves her reading time. She tries to sit on my book for the first 5 minutes but then gives up and just flops at my feet. Then The Girl shows up, you see how this works.
I’m smirking with you there. LOL!
Am I being silly when I say that I’m most waiting for Cabin Fever?