I was never much of a shopper but now I can barely shop at all!

I have to be careful about shopping this year. My husband suggested that we give everyone money except for the grandchildren as he cannot get out unless we have the van and now we are planning to sell it so that I may have to do the Christmas shopping. I am considering buying off the internet. I used to give gift cards, but with gift cards now having a time limit, I do not think that is a good idea. Besides now we have to watch our finances.

hi dragon54u oh my i just dread thinking about christmas shopping as my knee is killing me with old arthuritis shame on him for attacking my knee so. I used to love to Christmas shop and see all the others out there looking for the perfect gift but think I will do this year what i have done before, give my son a gift card so he can buy whatever he really wants. Also I always give him a care package of all sorts of edibles he could keep in his room plus some various kinds of tea as he is a tea drinker. Perhaps I can even get him a gift card from Lands End on the internet as he loves their stuff . I did this one Christmas. it was fun too as he was really surprised too.

I love to shop especially for the holidays. The only thing I don't like is the crowed malls and stores. Trying to find parking and fighting to get through or standing in check out for hours for one item. so like you I tend to shop online, or just give money. thank goodness for gift cards it makes shopping a whole lot easier

dragon54u, Like you, I do prefer to shop with the crowd and Christmas cheer atmosphere. However, over the years I just find the popular departmental stores simply over crowded and getting quite a task at cash counters. Much alone, with your current medical condition I can understand the pain you will have to put up going through the Christmas crowd. So, of late, I shop quite a fair bit online, where it is much more convenient and less hassle. I could go to various showrooms of the product I have in mind to understand more and have a hands on experience with it. Upon deciding, I will just look for the best bargain and place an order. Sure, beats looking for parking space, walking endlessly from store to store, inventory frustrations and long queues. So, this Christmas, I am quite happy shopping online.

I can relate to your pain. I have had 2 back surgeries already, and found out, recently, that the same disc I had operated on is herniated again. My pain has been getting progressively worse for quite a while, a good year or more, but the doctor just finally ordered an MRI and found the problem. I am to the point where I can only be on my feet, for work or shopping, for a few hours before I am holding back tears. Today, the kids and I went grocery shopping, and we were only gone a few hours, but by the time we got home, I was in tears and had to lie down. So, although I have done some shopping in the stores, my trips are as brief as possible, and I have been shopping on-line for the first time in my life. I know that you probably know all the little tricks to help manage the pain, but this is what I do to help, and it does help, at least a little. First, I take a couple of Aleve, nothing more than that, no matter how bad I hurt, then, I lie in a tub of hot water, as hot as I can stand, for at least 20 minutes. Then, I lie in my bed with two pillows under my knees and a heating pad under my back. The combination seems to help me, at least a little. I am one that hates taking pills, so I only take them when I absolutely have to, and I try really hard to stay away from prescription pain killers.

Hi dragon I hate to hear that you are having so much trouble with your arthritis. I have a small touch of it in my back but not enough to cause that kind of pain. I wish you the best. As for me shopping I would prefer to shop online and have the items shipped to my home. I do try to get out into the stores to see what they have. If I can without having a panic attack along the way. A good discussion and keep up the good work. Have a great week. Keep smiling.