Sandi Shilhanek | How Will You Spend The Next Week?

Sandi Shilhanek
December 20, 2009

Comments

33 comments posted.

Re: Sandi Shilhanek | How Will You Spend The Next Week?

HI Sandi,
I ordered most online. Especially the gotta have gifts before they are sold out gifts.
I still have to make a last mad dash to get something for my mother in law. She is my hard to buy for person. I have the house clean and I am ready to go for this week.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas.
(Gigi Hicks 9:28am December 20, 2009)

Sandi, I hope you have a great
holiday and enjoy spending
your gift card - aren't they
the best? As for what to read,
there are so many good books
out there now! I think a good
place to start is right here
at Fresh Fiction. You could
start with Knit the Season -
kind of appropriate, huh?
(Margay Roberge 9:40am December 20, 2009)

I haven't done any family shopping yet this year, but it should take me 5 minutes, I'm just giving gift cards this year. Just don't have the time or inclination to get 'real' gifts. I'm always happiest with gift cards personally. I told everyone who would listen give me giftcards to the bookstore or Target and I'm a happy camper.
I still have to work 4 1/2 days this week so my Christmas prepping is very limited.
Hope you and everyone else have a wonderful holiday!!
(Shauna George 10:45am December 20, 2009)

Gigi, I hate buying presents for parents or inlaws. I always felt like they could afford what they wanted, so
what else was there? It was really funny when one year we went to my FIL's and glasses were in short
supply. The next year we all must have remembered that because I think 3 of the 4 boys gave him new
glasses! Needless to say we kept some and returned some.

Margay, I've already read Knit the Season. Did you read it? I really enjoyed it, and have had the opportunity
to meet Kate Jacobs on several occasions.

Shauna, I too have to work 4 days this week. I love g.c.s but Mike hates to give them. So I usually have to
shop, but I did suggest that Richard buy him a g.c. to Target as I have no clue what he wants, and what he
wants thats really in Richard's budget!
(Sandi Shilhanek 10:57am December 20, 2009)

Did nearly all my shopping on line this year. My only Mall trip is planned for Monday when I take the grandkids to get their picture taken with Santa.
(Mitzi Hinkey 11:48am December 20, 2009)

I always seem to run out of time before I run out of things that need doing. I still need to buy a few gifts and, most inportantly, spend time with family this week.
Merry Christmas every one.
(Robin McKay 12:56pm December 20, 2009)

I was so proud to have bought all but one gift on line or through catalogs this year! And I buy 30+ gifts. I had to go to Macy's for a gift card that wouldn't go through online for some reason. I just wrapped the last one today. Yay!

This isn't my year to do Christmas. My SIL and I trade off years, so I have no prep. I'm making sure I am enjoying that lack of crazed preparations. LOL

I don't have any Christmas reading suggestions for you, sorry. I did just finish a Christmas book that I didn't like, I'm Your Santa. It was an anthology, and I think I just don't like those anymore. They're so short, that it's like wham-bam, I love you madly, lets get married, in two days. I find myself rolling my eyes at that.

Everybody have great Holidays!
(Janet Lewis 3:41pm December 20, 2009)

Hey, Sandi! Not in the holiday spirit this year, so I'm just kind of moseying through my days. I'm taking the kids to the mall tomorrow to do their shopping. Cooking is going to be an adventure since Christmas and shabbos coincide this year, so our multi-faith family will have a lot to deal with. Hope your holidays are merry and bright!

Mellanie
(Mellanie Crowther 4:39pm December 20, 2009)

I did all internet shopping this year except for my gifts for co-workers.
(Joyce Mandle 4:46pm December 20, 2009)

I quit asking for things since I never get what I ask for. And my gift to my mother this year is me spending the holiday with her since she keeps insisting I do so.
(Debbie Beverley 5:11pm December 20, 2009)

Let me see -- I'm working on Monday and Wednesday. Tuesday I'm going grocery shopping for our Christmas Eve dinner for my family. Christmas Day we are staying home because my sister has to work so we will be celebrating Christmas on Saturday.
(Danielle DeBuono 5:23pm December 20, 2009)

I live over an hour from shopping, so did some online this year and then made a one day blast to the closest mall and bought everything on my list. Still have some things to wrap, but this year we're keeping it simple. Between my writing deadlines and everyone's busy schedules, it's almost as if, by mutual agreement, we've toned everything down. I've asked for just one thing--the full set of the Lord of the Rings DVDs...I STILL haven't seen all of them! The nicest thing, though, will be having both our kids and their families together for the holidays.
(Kate Douglas 5:25pm December 20, 2009)

My shopping is almost done, I have just 2 or 3 small things to pick up tomorrow after the tourists leave us to our town!! I do have some baking to do plus making Brandied Cranberry sauce & some Lemon Curd. Since we are having Christmas on Wednesday the 23 my time is shortened to get that done. Why are we having Christmas the 23rd you ask? My daughter & her guy are both working Christmas Eve & Christmas Day, my grandson (her son) also works on Christmas Eve & not sure if he is working Christmas. It was the most reasonable day to celebrate. She is cooking a ham, not sure what else. The important thing is we are spending time together.
I love shopping online but did not do any this year as my suggestions for the younger 2 grandkids were better bought at the store.

Merry Christmas to all that check out Sandi's blog.
Donna M
(Donna McClure 5:27pm December 20, 2009)

I imagine doing the usual holiday last minute things. I need to get to the post office to send out last greeting cards, grocery shopping and I have some wrapping to do. And while I was gleefully patting myself on the back that I needed to buy no more gifts, I have one more to get and then I really will be done.

I baked cookies this morning and this evening I am curling up with a holiday romance. Christmas dinner is going to be easy since it will be for two. I'd say two days this week are going to be hectic but Thursday and Friday should be relatively easy.
(Livia Holton 5:57pm December 20, 2009)

We do a mix of online and store shopping. We had to cut way down this year as we had unwelcome visitors who stayed months too long.

I saw one sad weather story about a bus load of people going to DC to shop. When they got to the mall it had closed early and the group, mostly senior citizens had to go home empty handed.

Ray
(Ray Getzinger 6:26pm December 20, 2009)

Hey Sandi!
I've done a bit of online shopping this year, but mostly by hitting the mall and other stores. I haven't made the mad, last-minute dash to the mall yet - doing that tomorrow! We've cut back considerably this year and it has made the holidays much less stressful and more enjoyable. I've made a ton of sweet treats this year and have given some gifts from the kitchen.

Merry Christmas to you and yours, Sandi! Warm hugs to you.
(Laurie Damron 6:43pm December 20, 2009)

I already got my big present.
A new DELL PC. I have shopped a lot on amazon this year. Have a Merry Christmas!
(Joy Hoormann 7:22pm December 20, 2009)

I hope that everyone who has yet to shop gets a great bargain. Ray your
story broke my heart! Joy enjoy the new computer! I got a new heat
pump! Think your computer is more fun!

Laurie, wish I lived close enough to come steal some of your treats!
(Sandi Shilhanek 7:32pm December 20, 2009)

Hi Sandi,
Just need to get some warm pjs for the family and I'm done. I really don't ask for much during the Christmas Season. Really try to be humble about the whole thing.

Happy Holidays to you and family.
(Armenia Fox 7:35pm December 20, 2009)

My shopping is finished and almost wrapped; if anything or anyone else comes to mind, I'll cry (just kidding); no, I should be good to go now.
Happy Holidays!
(Diane Sadler 8:04pm December 20, 2009)

I have an old fashion hubby! We do not shop on-line nor with charge cards. It's a cash only situation! It's drives me crazy sometimes but it's gets me out, into the mall, buying personal gifts for loved ones and helps get one into the spirit!!
(Lisa Glidewell 8:10pm December 20, 2009)

Still have some presents to buy for middle grandchild. Have to wrap all the presents!! Have to work 2 days this week, and have to do some cooking to take to my daughter's house. Behind as usual!!
(Martha Lawson 9:21pm December 20, 2009)

Hi Sandi--I am behind on just about everything but the shopping will be done tomorrow. I did about half online and half in the stores. I did some extra cookie baking this weekend because we were snowed in! I am almost done with my cards. With my mil passing earlier this month we are keeping everything low-key. I read a really good book for the holidays--Montana,Mistletoe, Marriage--a two in one Harlequin Romance by Patricia Thayer and Donna Alward that I just loved and would highly recommend. Happy holidays to everyone.
(Mary Perry 9:26pm December 20, 2009)

Hi Sandi,
I'm done, well DH has 2 gifts to pick up(since they are men related and while I can read a package label apparently he's worried I won't know the difference in flashlights and will get the wrong one, so he can have at it) otherwise we're done. I now plan to start on next Christmas.LOL Yes that's what I do.

I helped to get my gifts so I know what I'm getting.LOL

I hope you get all you want this year because you deserve it!

My kids were easy until this past weekend, now the oldest has decided he "needs" a computer, not a kid one mind you, but a laptop or BIG one so he can play games on it with daddy, and baby girl has decided everything on her list is wrong. She just doesn't know what would be right.....sigh.............

Have a great Christmas!!!
hugs,
WendyK
(Wilma Keel 9:40pm December 20, 2009)

Sandi I am still not done. I hate it. The stores are way to crowded. We are thinking about next year doing a family vacation instead of the regular. Maybe a cruise or something.Instead of buying lots of gifts.
(Julie Harper 11:04pm December 20, 2009)

This year was so difficult that there wasn't any Christmas shopping done. However, over the years I've collected items and I'm drawing from those previously purchased items for gifts to my grandsons and great-nieces and nephews. No sense even thinking about receiving presents because I don't get any except small ones from two of my sisters (like fruit cake). I will be going to a friend's home for Christmas dinner though.
(Trudy Miner 11:10pm December 20, 2009)

I was lucky, my daughter and I went shopping for gifts for the kids in the family very early this year and we did great. Packages are wrapped; she even took them to her house so I wouldn't have to bring them, as there were quite an awful lot of them!!! I did order a few things for the grandkids online and keeping my fingers crossed that they come soon! I really try to avoid last minute shopping in the stores, except of course for grocery shopping which you have to do this week. The stores are crowded around here all the time, so I can imagine how it will be at the last minute! Yes, I did treat myself to many Christmas gifts for me!
(Peg Fragale 11:44pm December 20, 2009)

Things have been so crazy this year, I
don't know what I have for gifts or
what I still need to get. I'll spend the
next few days frantically trying to get
the house ready and work gifts
delivered. Christmas day will be a day
of cooking and enjoying the family.
Then it is back to the grind.
Hope everyone has a Great Holiday
Season!
(Patricia Barraclough 12:07pm December 21, 2009)

I've done very minimal shopping this year but I did order a few things on line and a few in local shops. Since I have a holiday retail job this year, I haven't had much time for shopping.
(Pam Nolan 12:33pm December 21, 2009)

I think a gift card for any books is wonderful. I could spend hours looking thru Amazons new and used books for something new to read. I love reading romantic Christmas stories, fantasies, or magic around this time of year. You'll probably have a hard time finding just a few books, I always want to read everything.
(Theresa Buckholtz 9:54am December 21, 2009)

Sandi,

I wish you and yours and wonderful winter Holidays. As for me.... Sigh..... I live so far away from my family..... and this year my money is sooooo short, I will not be giving any gifts.... or mailing anything. I will try to send something in January or Febuaray. I live so far from family again, and working the hours I do getting together with my friends is totally not good for me..... so I will be reading, sleeping and working this week and the next.

Again, everyone have a wonderful holiday Season.

Melissa
(Melissa Tackett 11:05am December 21, 2009)

all of the gift i get for any one are either handmade or bought from wall mart and wish you the best in the coming year and good luck
(Desiree Reilly 11:18am December 21, 2009)

Merry Christmas, Sandi, and Peace and Blessings in the New Year.

Lisa, you aren't the only ones who still shop in stores with cash. That's the way we've always done it, and that's the way it will continue to be done. Though we have cut waaaaaaay back on the amount of shopping we do.

Mary, I know Donna A. personally, and she will be tickled pink when I tell her you mentioned to us all that you enjoyed her story. That's the kind of things authors like to hear.

Trudy, you'd be welcome at our house! We're in the same boat as you, so very, very little is getting spent on gifts this year.

As to am I done or not? No, but I do plan on going to town tomorrow, and if it doesn't get bought then, it isn't going to get bought.

My husband is buying me a new vest (they're on sale) and I'm buying him a rebounder to exercise on (so he can join me while I'm on the elliptor). I'm also buying me new speakers for my computer. The old ones don't work without the monitor, and I've got a different monitor, so the no sound is making me crazy. Any gifts we get for others are usually very small (chocolates) or handmade. (my family fights over my handmade gifts)

Cooking? Yes, lots, but most of it's done already and in the freezer. Though I did make 15 doz cookies this afternoon.

We'll be spending Christmas Eve at our youngest daughter's house, Christmas Day at our youngest son's house, and Boxing day everyone will be here. Dec. 27 we've booked the church basement and will be having a Family Pot Luck Dinner then. (I'm in charge of organizing it) We're expecting a minimum of 50 to show up.

So by this time next week I'll be totally wiped.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a. . . Happy New Year!
(Donna Breitkreuz 9:08pm December 21, 2009)

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