Let the Mad Christmas Dash Begin

It's here. And I'm not ready.

The Christmas season is now approaching, and today, of course, there are millions of people shopping for the extraordinary buys that are to be had, if you can ferret them out. I, unfortunately, am not one of those people, nor a ferreter....yet.

I say "yet" because I know I will probably be venturing out today to get some things. I'm hating the thought of it. After all, it's technically NOT Christmas yet. You see, I'm one of those weird people that absolutely WILL NOT put up Christmas decorations or play Christmas music until the first day of Advent. Advent is not until Sunday, November 30th. Yet, at the same time, everywhere you go, shops have already started setting up things for this season.....back in July. I find this extremely irritating.

For example, not that I am a frequent buyer at Hobby Lobby, but I think that place started everything in June. And that should be illegal. I think I'll boycott that store just because.

At work, we have a woman that decorates our office. I told her that she couldn't start it until Saturday, November 29th. It goes against my principles, but I figured a) I wouldn't be there, and b) being the contrary person I am, I wanted to go against her wishes of wanting to do it last week. Again, I'm the purist.

The thought of fighting traffic, bumping carts, getting caught in mobs of people, and having my items rung up by some teenager who would otherwise not notice that I'm even standing in front of him/her is not my idea of a fun time. I can't even imagine the masochistic people that want to go to some places at 5 a.m. in hopes of saving a couple bucks. I'd most likely be ugly at noon, and for me to attempt such a feat at 5 a.m. is just toxic. I'm no bundle of Christmas cheer (or any sort of cheer for that matter) at 5 in the morning.

What a wonderful thing the Internet is. For my ilk, online shopping is a godsend. I can get what I want, compare prices from several different stores, and usually get the same, if not better, bargains that if I would put up with the mayhem that is the in-store buyer. I have mentioned this often to others, and yet I still get the same reply, "it's fun, it's tradition, and I love getting caught up in the Christmas spirit." I think they've gotten caught up with crack and their crack dealer.

But alas, here I go, about to venture out. I'm trying to mentally prepare myself. If drinking and driving weren't taboo (and illegal), I am certain I'd need a bottle of something to settle my nerves, and maybe even be a little creative with what I buy. Half a jag-on would certainly aid in that.

THAT, my friends, would be Christmas cheer.