This past sunday my husband and I concurrently spent about 4 hours on the mac and ipad surfing for kids presents for christmas. After we'd consolidated our lists of ideas I went to work on amazon. I found everything we were wanting, save one item. All included free shipping, again save one. So for all of our stuff I think it was something in the range of $4 shipping. I can do that - since I would have spent that much in gas and time running to stores.
As for the item we didn't find, well, that involved two (count them - two) edge-of-your-seat-nail-bitting-Ebay-bid-offs - yes, shamefully, my hubby last second out bid the other contenders and is now the proud owner of four die cast Tonka trucks - yippee - and I hope that our almost four year old appreciates the angst and excitement with which those trucks were absconded with!!!
So the boys are done - without the frustrations of the crowds. Admittedly, I am not a Friday after Thanksgiving shopper by any means. In fact, when we do shop at Walmart my husband has to coach me on the walk into the store to take deep breaths and relax... deep breaths ... patience ... God's love ... relax ... etc ... etc.
I think this (amazon) is my new mode of shopping. Yeah it took a bit of effort - but significantly less effort than the stores and the driving and did I mention my dislike of crowds ...
My other focus this Christmas has been on the true meaning of christmas. Christ was born, that's what we're celebrating, not the presents, not the man made Santa - Christ!! In a bit of wisdom I learned from a friend, we bought each boy three gifts - like the three gifts Christ received when he was born and we bought three "family" gifts ( ok they are three gifts both boys will enjoy and mom and dad will enjoy through the indirect result of the boys playing quietly with said family gifts). So, we'll set out cookies for Santa but we'll hopefully give the best gift we can back to God - that being - our belief in Him and in His Son Jesus who came to earth to die so that we may live forever in God's glorious realms. Praise God for His faithfulness to His creation.
Blessings as always and may your christmas gifts list include the most important gift you can give ...
