I always USED to go on the afternoon of the 24th. To the big mall. I loved walking thru stores slowly and looking at all the panic. All the while being calm and sure that I would find the right gifts at bargain prices. I always did.
But, now that I am so disgusted with the commercialism, I read the fliers that come with the newspapers and, when I see a great bargain on something, I ask myself who I could gift with it. If it "fits" someone, I get it and stow it away. But, I would still like to see it just for the kids in our family.... instead of getting gifts for the adults, more gifts for the kids. *******************************************************************
That reminded me of missing the birthdayssss party just before Xmas last year. Uncle, cousin, nephew, nephew's wife, nephew's son, nieces son... all in one party a week before Xmas. I was just home from the hospital two days after an operation and in pain. No way I could go the the party. Made my day when little Nick (austistic) telephoned me and left a message on the answering machine that I had given him the "bestest birthday present EVER!"
He got lots of stuff. Really cool and expensive stuff too, but my present was the very bestest ever and he would never ever get anything as bestest ever again. I wept listening to him on the speaker and wanted to answer but I couldn't.
It was simple. I went to the dollar store the day before the operation. I bought the biggest gift "bag" they had and proceeded to fill it with toys and whatever the hell I thought might be "cool", at a buck apiece. For less than thirty bucks, I kept that kid as busy as a crab on a clam.... for days after too... and as happy as a clam.
So... any of youse got ideas for for cheap that buy a lot of joy?