Projo Holidays Blog

December 11, 2007 Archives

Journal photo / Bill Murphy
Lori Bergeron (left) and Tom Gadoury, both of Jamestown, find plenty of room to shop at 234 Water, during the Christmas Shopping Stroll on Block Island, on Nov. 23.The Stroll is a quiet alternative to the frenzy of Black Friday at the malls.

I am one of those people who shop all year for Christmas presents. Whether I'm vacationing in a foreign country or browsing in Wickford, my eyes are always peeled for holiday gifts. It could be as early as January or as late as December. It could be the big gift or a stocking stuffer. Doesn't matter. I need to cross names off the Santa list.

Before you say you hate me, let me explain.

All of my husband's and my siblings (including us!) -- as well as three of our best friends, a godson and a niece -- all have December birthdays. And we all still exchange gifts so ignoring someone's birthday is NOT an option.

You see the dilemma.

Two years ago, I decided to get smarter about Christmas/birthday shopping. While I still shopped for all the birthday presents during the year, I decided that one fell swoop for Christmas presents would save a lot of time and energy.

So, because the family is full of Red Sox fans, I decided to get tickets for everyone. Since I couldn't get the actual tickets until February, I employed my younger technically savvy daughter, Caroline, to design fake tickets, which she did with flair. Then we gave them to 22 relatives on Christmas Day and later, in February, I bought the real tickets. We all went to the game together in August -- long after the Christmas toys had been broken and the cookies eaten -- and had a great family day.

This year I plan to attack my Santa list in a similar way.

Other options include a show at PPAC, which we have done on occasion for the adults in the family; or tickets to a play at Trinity Rep; or an event at the Dunk; or a basketball game or a hockey game or a PawSox game. Making plans to attend an event together accomplishes several things: it takes stress off the gift giver at Christmas; it allows families to spend quality time together without the holiday hassle; and it makes good lasting memories for kids and adults.

And isn't that the point of Christmas anyway?

Have a merry one!