That growing holiday angst

Excitement about the holidays is starting to grow, but so is that angst about finding the perfect gift for special friends and family. Additionally, my son and fiancée and daughter, along with her cat and boyfriend, will travel great distances to get here. That means, the gifts have to be small and fit in a suitcase. I asked my Facebook friends for advice.

My daughter suggested getting Christmas sweaters for everyone.

--Seriously? But wouldn't they be. . .too bulky (if nothing else)?


But here is what my other friends wrote.

TK - "Jars of preserves, boozy fruit (not sure about that for the suitcase), small ornaments (specific like sushi, a violin, something they like), little photo book of your favorite pictures, or chocolates.”

--Love these ideas and the boozy fruit is great for delayed flights. . . .

LJDV – “It is not easy to buy for ‘certain people.’ Scarves are always a great idea (for the certain people) that do not live in Florida :-)....if not, gift cards are also a good choice :-).”

--My son nixed the idea of gift cards. . . . Years ago he said, in all seriousness, that he wanted everyone to battle hoards of shoppers at department stores just like he would. However, if anyone is trying to find something for me, I really like the idea of a Sephora gift card. . . .

CS – “I've given away lots of frames this year.”

--And I have stacks of unframed photos. But we are not talking about me!

TB has shopped for cooking items.

--No one has enough bowls, spoons or coffee scoops. . . . . I wonder if my friends need these things as much as I do. . . .

JL – “I'm making a calendar for folks. One year I did it from the photos I took in Paris. This year, just some of my favorite sayings.”

--Wish I had talked with JL a little earlier and gotten photos of pets or drawings organized. . . . Next year!

JC - "Prints. Hee hee."

--She's laughing because she is an artist. But what a great idea--prints or photography for our small walls.

HE - "I tried to buy local, but no one would wait on me! Back to the mall! LOL"

--This is like a déjà vu when we resolve to patronize and encourage artisans, and then . . .

MRT - "Didn't you go to the mall."

--My sister blew my cover. It was an act of desperation. . . .

I am still shopping, but I’ve made pretty good headway with a few ornaments, a couple cool coffee scoops, key chains, ponytail scarves and warm shawls. But no, no Christmas sweaters unless I get one for my daughter. If she is not reading this blog, then it will be a surprise!

How is your shopping?

Note--My thanks to SL for suggesting this blog and to all my FB friends for helping.