Around this time of year, we are reminding about every 2 1/2 minutes from every source of media available to man - how many more shopping days before Christmas. The only logical conclusion one can come to is that they are trying to whip us into a frenzied state of buying awareness and how inadequately prepared we are for the Big Day.
Really, you have to subtract one day because while you can shop on Christmas Eve - to keep any sense of sanity, you should be winding down. Many years ago, DH had a second job delivering and setting up water beds. One year, he had to work on Christmas Eve. I was unhappy. Ok, that is an understatement. Brandi was a baby and I had to spent the evening at my inlaws - not the best of times. He showed up at home long after our little girl had gone to bed. He was apologetic and even brought me a home decor statue from the waterbed store. It didn't help and I was less than thankful. I was so mad I couldn't get pass what he was going for our family or that he had his Christmas Eve meal at some local greasy spoon between deliveries. What kind of people wait until Christmas Eve to set up a bed? If I remember correctly, he had lots of customer issues that evening - people were not Fa la la la laing.
The waterbed store is still around and I bet Les doesn't schedule deliveries on Christmas Eve. He bought the store form the previous owner and had more than his share of delivery woes. He know of what he speaks.
If you can't do your shopping online, go out and conquer this weekend and when those pesky countdowns come you way, you can laugh a hearty belly laugh and go about roasting your chestnuts or maybe even time to think about the good stuff. The staying power of the One who gives us every thing we need just for the taking. Putting someone else before yourself, not just for the countdown days but into January, February and beyond. Forget about gifts - a kind word, a helpful hand or simply a smile. There is no countdown for the things that really matter...
