Last day of getting on with it before I am overrun with the DCs, before Xmas.... DH and I have discussed the whole present thing. We have! I made it perfectly clear that 'little somethings' for each other are fine but really not an issue, esp as 2009 will be hugely expensive with moving a household load of stuff from abroad, here. The DCs are, as ever, WELL catered for. For DH I have a book (which he knows about) and a couple of boring work shirts (ditto). He has, for me, a book (but he did buy me a magnificent, desired thing for my b/d 2 weeks ago so that's perfectly OK!).
I really don't go mad with the wracking my brains for DH thing at Xmas any more (11 years of happy marriage, etc!). If he WANTS something during the year (usually computer wigetty) he buys it. End of. I, however, have to THINK about, then BUY presents for everyone AND pretty much from everyone to everyone else! Mum to my brother, brother to my DH, DH to HIS brother, his brother to my mum etc etc. Note the 'and buy' (they DO reimburse!)- oh, and often, WRAP too. I do it all, thus I seek slack where I can like in not having to be cunningly original for DH.
SO I am actually a bit annoyed- seriously!- when this morning, on the last day I can actually DO anything about it, a large box from Firebox arrives, a thing I know to be from DH to me. I am so aware I sound like an ungrateful old harridan here but a) I don't really WANT or NEED anything I'VE seen in the Firefox catalogue, a fact I believe my DH either knows or SHOULD know, otherwise I already own it, b) all he's really done is put pressure on me to go out and buy HIM something as a surprise, and c) we could really do with NOT buying fripperies for each other right now.
I know he's been nagging me via MSN (is that what it's called?) on a daily basis to rescue him from the 'I haven't bought you a present' thing for a couple of weeks (and I did reply 'You've only got a book and 2 shirts'- see above!) so I suggested a cast iron cooking pot which I of course, chose, ordered and will no doubt wrap.....
I'll shut up now. I'm Mrs Grouch because I, weeks ago when it was arranged, had imagined this day when I'd spend most of it pampering myself a bit getting ready for my works bash tonight, but in fact I've spent it wrapping Xmas presents for and to all and sundry, writing lists lists lists for Xmas Day itself, and writing last minute emergency Xmas cards to my DH's relatives... oh, and I have to take 2 boys with me, 7 and 9 to the frekken hairdresser's at 4.30 as A Certain Person simply COULDN'T get out of work an hour early.
And you're going to tell me that I bring it on myself for being so accommodating aren't you?!
Yes! I know.