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Fiscal Cliff v. Christmas--The Reckoning.

Posted: Nov 27, 2012

I don't know, the looming fiscal cliff isn't keeping me from shopping. But sheer exhaustion might.

;

I hope people do shop less. We have a weird economy - that depends on people constantly blowing

[ In Reply To ..]
their money on stuff, stuff, stuff, which then needs a larger house with more storage to hold it all. How about more savings instead? Before the big crash, our national savings rate was actually a negative number. And remember 9/11, when President Bush told us the government would handle the terrorism and that our patriotic duty was to go shopping?

I agree - RC

[ In Reply To ..]
I do think the rabid consumerism leaves a bad taste in all of our mouths, but it's hard not to partake because when someone gives you a gift, damn you if you don't give one back! And half the time, we don't want/need the stuff people give us. We keep it for a few token months, then we try to get rid of it. Or at least, that's my pattern.

I force family members to give me a list of their most wanted items - backwards typist

[ In Reply To ..]
Then I choose what I can afford from that list. Usually the list for the grandkids are a couple hundred dollars, but I don't spend more than $50-$75 on each depending on age.

If no one gives a list, it's gift cards.

That's a great idea. - RC

[ In Reply To ..]
It really must take some of the pain out of the whole thing if you know you're at least getting someone something they actually want!

That it does. No returns necessary either. - backwards typist

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Now, if I could just get our son and DIL to give us the list before Christmas week, that would be great. LOL (Seriously, I did bug the heck out of them and got their list last week. ;-)

That is a good idea. - grits

[ In Reply To ..]
People (like me) like to moan that lists take all the fun out of it, but I'm coming around. I'd much rather know that I'm getting someone an item they want and will like and use than another dust collector or thing to be regifted.

Funny, but I don't give anyone a list of what I want - backwards typist

[ In Reply To ..]
Everything I'd like to have is too expensive and the things that aren't expensive are really considered something you'd give for Christmas. For example, I need new cookie sheets and I'd love to have those Command hooks (the ones that don't mark the walls), but I never get anything from my list because they're so "practical," so I gave up and get surprised. I can only use so many socks, though (I must have 20 pair now). LOL

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