I love Christmas shopping.

Now before anyone gives me the 'reason for the season' speech, I don't need it. I am completely aware that it isn't supposed to be a commercial holiday. But I still like that part of it, too.

I have gotten a lot of stuff done around town. Gift Shaker has GREAT stocking stuffer items for girls in, for less than two bucks. Really cute things that my kids will love. I am glad I got those before they were gone. Blake helped me pick it all out, and I think she got tired of me saying what all I wanted for myself! They also have awesome bird feeders in there. (Not your grandma's feeders, either, some really cool ones) I really get into trying to find the right thing for everyone I buy for. We buy for a LOT of people on my husband's side. A WHOLE LOT. But my sister in law is a shopaholic to the 100th degree, and she helps me out by picking up bargains that I can pay her back for. It makes it simple to get really good stuff for very cheap. We have a mountain of wrapping paper left in the middle of the room when the chaos ends. It's extremely fun.

Although I buy for a ton of family, I don't exchange presents with my friends. (And by the way, I am glad my friends ---like Rosjuane-- are willing to say "don't be buying me anything!!! so I don't have to worry about getting put on the spot when she hands me something. We don't do presents, haha. I also don't buy for my friends' kids either. I think this is unnecessary, and you never know where to draw the line. J takes part in a fun ornament swap, but that's all we get into with gift buying. Lord knows that child would want to buy for 15 people if I let her. I think it's insane to spend a lot on kid birthday gifts too, though, so this makes sense if you already knew that. I am a 10-15 bucks MAXIMUM spender for kid birthday parties. (And if we don't get to the party, we don't send a gift either, gasp!) Spending more than that, on a kid that isn't related, borders on showboating. I don't want my children to get presents from others that cost more than I am willing to spend myself!

I have 2 nieces, and 2 step nieces, and one nephew; & 5 great nieces and nephews on the husband's side.....one niece on mine. I have two brothers in law, three sisters in law. My parents, my brother & his parents. So, a grand total of: 21 to buy for, not counting my own kids and husband. Whew. I gotta get on the ball don't I? Seriously, we have a spending limit, and it really isn't that hard to handle it when I have such a thrifty-deal-finding sister in law. She can make ten bucks go a loooooong way.

So have YOU gotten started buying yet???