British Expatriate Network

I have a neighbour who informed me how long it was until Christmas about 2 weeks ago. She was half way thru her cards then.
Me, I've picked up a couple of calendars to send back to UK and that's all. Like Londonsquare most of my stuff will be bought online.
Look out Amazon, annie's coming a shopping. lol

I haven't done a thing yet. My mum asked me today what we are getting for the kids for christmas, and I acted like she was crazy for asking me ALREADY roll .

I guess I'd better start thinking about it.

I've already bought all of my families stuff so I can ship it.

For my wife I've already purchased an 8 cup food processor. The one we have has been on the blink for a while now. I have also bought her a kettle for work - I know it's basically the same but microwaving water for a cup of tea just isn't right.

My wife and her family are driving me nuts about gifts. I told my wife all I want from her is a guitar capo - it's about $2.95. And I told my in-laws that I'll take all of their old books - they're selling house and moving to the mountains so were planning to throw them out. They have some wonderful books and some extremely old ones. Lots of good old history ones, etiquette guides, classics, and weirdo ones like How To Vacation In Europe written in 1862. Both my wife and inlaws have said that isn't enough. Well, I don't need anything else, and I can't think of anything I want that I couldn't just go get now. My inlaws think that if you don't get a digital camera, something from L.L. Bean, or a power tool, then it isn't christmas. I'm a very simple person (yes Gavin you are...) but they won't listen.

I've asked my one sister to send me Kinder chocolates, a bag of twiglets (eeucch),brown sauce sachets and a tea towel - that's what my Gran got for us every year.

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I've done all my shopping too!...because I'm not doing any. Christmas will be just me and Mrs CR again. That suits us fine - so we don't buy each other Christmas presents - it's a rule - last year we went to Puerto Rico so that was the present.
Not sure if we'll go anywhere this xmas - a baby is coming so I don't think we'll stray too far.

I might send a few quid to my nieces and nephews. Christmas is much more enjoyable when you don't bother with gifts. My wife's family just agree not to buy any - this works well and everybody seems happy with the arrangement - even the kids.

Wife told me to make a list, and I put on it, "No tax bill this year" but I won't get that. We had to cash in a 401K to move here even though we knew it was going to kill us with penalties. So when I was asked what I really wanted, I shamefully couldn't think of anything. Maybe a book to read or a DVD, I am quite lucky like Bungle I really have everything I want and there is nothing I yearn for (apart from Guiness and rainy days in Sussex!!)

My attitude has upset the mrs a bit because she wants a new handbag/purse whatever the bloody hell its called and a eternity ring, so my attitude has really pissed her off and mad her feel guilty...the balance of power in a marriage, its all about timing !!!

Boy, you're new at this aren't you? What you really want for christmas is a happy wife.
Tell her that and let her talk you out of it. :wink:

I have a few gifts already (my "goin out money" was used for these) for my hubby and one for my mom. I don't want anything specific, as John got me a incredible gift last year. It was a painting called "crossing the atlantic", which I found incredibly romantic!
Although, jewellry is always welcome! grin

I'm working till 7am on Christmas so I suppose I'll sleep.

But I have bought lots of new lights to decorate the outside of the house with. When I first came here I thought that was so cheezy. No longer. I like to see the 'hood lit up.

One day I'll utilize the cupholder in my car for 30 oz drinks from fast food places I imagine. grin

gotta get through November first! shock

Our future daughter in law has already decorated her house inside and out! She does it the first week of November every year. And I mean decorate in a big way.

I can't get enthused about it all anymore, just too much hassle to take it all down. wink

Sent all xmas pressies home with my sister last week so I'm done 8)
Don't like xmas here, the sun shines down the shops are open, yada yada.. I will aim to be comotose for the most of it.

Looks like your jewellery/jewelry is also "crossing the Atlantic" ;)

Not me

40 days to the solstice though... anyone wants to volunteer for wicker man duty? That would be a great present.

Hobos just don't burn as well.

im not to excited over it ill be glad when its over.
Once again i can go to the store without my ears ringing to the sound of badly tuned bells and a stranger wishing me god be with you * i told one bell ringer who said that to me that i was on my own and he looked rather confused at that statement * and find the things i want and not have to wade though rows and rows of extreml;y expensive ( repackaged and priced ) xmas items before i have to ask the assisitant to get the required item from the back store room .

We dont send out cards even thought we got quite a few unasked for packs from several *charities*stating they where a gift but including a prepaid return envelope in which we where supposed to deposit a check to the named charity , my round file cames in handy at times like this roll


We have done our christmas shopping what is left will make amazon a bit richer and my C/C a little heavier .

I will put up a token imitation tree and a few other seasonal things around the house next week and thats about it .

Ill do my *playing santa *as usual for local charities and the other good news is we have a house guest arriving sometime during the week of dec 25 / 31st and she is jewish so christmas is not on her list of things to look forward to either .

Afrer xmas is over we go to the stores and buy for ourselves this year its a new vcr (on sale of course ) as # 1 on the list .

We've stopped bothering completely.

Too costly and it's just not worth the aggro.

Andrew :)