I was so organised when the dc were younger - I’d have everything but the main gift bought by now, the calendar sorted etc.
Now they are tricker to buy for. Dd has just started secondary, made new friends and is likely to hop on some bandwagon coming up to Christmas so I’m holding off on spending too much. Ds would normally have his heart set on some Lego set, but he’s wishy washy this year about what he wants but absolutely certain about what he doesn’t want! It’s the first year where I’ve felt that I don’t quite understand him.
There’s no nativity plays that need time booked, grandparents invited, costumes etc. No one wants to visit Santa. The dc have busy schedules of training, study and homework so there isn’t an awful lot of time for trips anywhere and they don’ t break up until 22nd. In previous years we’ve gone away for New Year and that’s not happening either.
And the culture of gift giving has changed massively - people either have a wishlist or want to drop gift giving or organise a complicated kris Kringle arrangements with rules and gimmicks but won’t bloody talk about anything until December because it’s too soon.
I already have enough ornaments, tableware, lights, cards, wrapping and crackers, and the only thing I want are some garlands that are just so shockingly overpriced everywhere that I can’t bring myself to buy any.
There’s actually very little I can do now, and it’s making me nervous.