December has arrived.
By Gary Marsh
@garymarsh6 (23393)
United Kingdom
December 2, 2018 8:35am CST
Good grief where did November go. It is now the beginning of December and the madness in the shops begins. I had no option it was the only spare day I had to go to do a bit of shopping. I would probably shock most ladies on Mylot with my lack of imagination and lack of enthusiasm for Christmas shopping but anything for an easy life.
I work with six lady doctors so I did not want them to think I was favouring one over another so they have all got the same things. I got them a warm and cosy shawl thing and a beauty travelling kit in a sort of clutch bag.
After last years distress and frustration of having to wrap them all I have followed the advice of mylotters and have bought some pretty bags to put them in. I will pop some tissue paper on the top of them so that it will be a surprise when they actually get into the bags. I thank those who suggested that. I know I sound like a bit of a party pooper but nothing bores me more than wrapping Christmas presents. I will of course wrap stuff up for the kids so they can still enjoy ripping the paper off in two nano seconds so I am not all heartless.
Have fun over the next few weeks with the mad crowds.
My wife and grand children put the Christmas tree up yesterday I could not believe it as we do not usually put it all up until Christmas eve,.
Do you like wrapping presents as much as I don't?
19 people like this
23 responses
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
2 Dec 18
from christmas eve to december 1st! hope it stays up! no cats or dogs around?
a lot of people here reuse those gift bags, like for their packed lunch or extra footwear.
3 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
2 Dec 18
Very useful. We always reuse our bags!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
2 Dec 18
@MarshaMusselman Our dog stretched up on his hind legs to pinch the chocolate gifts off the tree. My wife blamed me until she saw her do it herself!
2 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38645)
• Midland, Michigan
2 Dec 18
I think you meant Jan first, @hereandthere if you care to edit that part of your response? When we had a dog we put our tree on a table so it was out of the way. Some animals have been trained to stay clear of the trees when up. It all depends on each family.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (169834)
• United States
2 Dec 18
I like to see them wrapped, but no I don't especially enjoy the process.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
2 Dec 18
Wouldn't it be nice to pay someone to do them for you!
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (169834)
• United States
2 Dec 18
@garymarsh6 Yes, sometimes malls have free gift wrapping services if you buy the gift there or something like band boosters will do it as a fund raising project.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
2 Dec 18
@snowy22315 I am sure there must be some similar service over here too although I can't say I have ever seen it but then I have probably not looked.
@Tampa_girl7 (48908)
• United States
2 Dec 18
I have to be in the mood.
I use a lot of gift bags these days.
I use a lot of gift bags these days.1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
3 Dec 18
It is so convenient isn't it Marie!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
3 Dec 18
Yes I intend to do that so they can not see easily what is in the bag hence they will still get a surprise!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
3 Dec 18
We have cut back on Christmas cards too for the last couple of years. It has turned shocking the price of postage overseas from the UK
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325584)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Dec 18
@garymarsh6 Same in Australia. We try to find something online to send to our boys now so it's delivered from nearby (to them).
@jvicentevalera (13671)
• Santiago, Chile
3 Dec 18
I love wrapping Christmas presents it is so exciting and then seeing your loved ones ripping the paper off and their thankful expressions on their faces is priceless, nonetheless I feel sort of bored when there are many Christmas presents to wrap, so I have to say I would wrap 4 or 5 and im done, not more than that! Hope you have the best Christmas season ever man! ;)
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
3 Dec 18
Yes I agree it is wonderful to see the surprise on peoples faces. I wish you a very happy Christmas too!
1 person likes this
@jvicentevalera (13671)
• Santiago, Chile
3 Dec 18
@garymarsh6 Thank you man, same wishes back to you! :D
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
3 Dec 18
I would like to make reusable cloth draw string bags. It has always been my intent but I have not got there yet.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
3 Dec 18
People around here often put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving. I am waiting for warmth to put up some outside things.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
3 Dec 18
I have seen some of the houses already decorated. Some look beautiful.
@LadyDuck (457822)
• Switzerland
2 Dec 18
@garymarsh6 I suspect that I may have some busy days in the next couple of weeks. Switzerland celebrate Saint Nicholas the 6th of December and the decorations should be up by that day. I had a free time today, I did.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
2 Dec 18
Many people seem to have had an early start this year. I wonder if they are harking over trying to get summer to come back sooner which sadly it won't.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38645)
• Midland, Michigan
2 Dec 18
I didn't use to mind wrapping presents as I learned two basic ways to do it easily, but these days I rarely have a flat surface to use as my table is full of bookkeeping until I get it filed away properly. I have used my bed before, but have to pay more attention so I don't accidentally cut any covers when cutting the paper. So far, that's not been done.
This is the first Christmas in years that I've not worked during the season. It will be different I'm sure.
We've not put a tree up for a few years now. Maybe once I get the room more organized we can consider it another year. I figure once I have grandkids we will probably need to begin once again, but we don't normally have many visitors so it's not really a big deal. We do celebrate, but most of that is at other peoples homes.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
3 Dec 18
Haha thats good just turn up look pretty and no washing up! Yes we will do it for the kids. I remember my wife and daughter were mortified one year they were away for Christmas I was working nights in the hospital. I did not bother putting any decorations up. Save hours not putting them up or taking them down plus I Slept in the day and was out all night what was the point as no one would see them! 
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
2 Dec 18
Having just read your post you are going to be still sunning it and running with snakes when I visit New York! I hope you have a wonderful time down there. ( I know you will)
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246525)
• United States
2 Dec 18
@garymarsh6 Running with snakes? I think you mean running FROM snakes. Lol! I am sorry I will miss you in NY, but you could always visit me in Florida! Say hi if you see my grandkids running around NY.
1 person likes this
@ethal2018 (387)
• United States
3 Dec 18
No worries my total Christmas decor is my fancy card holder and that's it. we just give money to the kids in cards they can pick their own stuff.
I think the bags are a good idea, quick and easy. no present wrapping here..LOL
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
3 Dec 18
Good on you! Actually although my daughter said please no toys this year I have got them annual passes to the zoo instead!
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
2 Dec 18
I read about the putting up of Christmas trees already in November. I consider this a perversity. Only public Christmas trees in market squares are up as well as the artificial ones in shops. Private people do this one or two days before Christmas.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
2 Dec 18
That is my usual habit Christmas eve but not this year apparently. Far too early for my liking!
I have noticed some houses have decorations up already in November. One such house I passed the other day looked like Blackpool illuminations. I would not want to pay their electricity bill.
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
2 Dec 18
I say just put gifts in a brown paper bag!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
2 Dec 18
My grandmother never ever wrapped things for us she used to think it a wicked waste of paper! Like you she used to give our gifts in the bag it came from the shop!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
3 Dec 18
I will send them all to your grandmother to wrap!
1 person likes this
@freelancermariagrace (27219)
• Philippines
2 Dec 18
I don’t have a talent when it comes to wrapping gifts. That’s why I just use paper bags 
1 person likes this
