Christmas Gifts? What Christmas Gifts?

Tomorrow's going to be hectic, traveling to my maternal side of the family who lives 45 minutes away, then heading to Oscar's paternal side of the family which is 2 hours away from where we would be coming from. Oh Lord, I hope the traffic isn't so bad. I'm thanking every family who decided to go out of town this holidays because the traffic (when we did go out) was tolerable for the most part.

I asked my husband this morning if it's weird that neither one of us are opening presents on Christmas Day. This is because I got him early presents for both his birthday (he's a December baby!) and Christmas, which is a new office desk and a medicine ball. Jacob won't be opening a present from us either, nor will Santa be sending him one because we still haven't decided whether or not we will tell him about Santa. We got him a Little Tikes 2n1 Snug Ride Swing and it came in early this week. And for me, Oscar got me what I wanted, which is a groupon for Cuzo worth one bag from the store. Sadly, I won't be able to model my new bag until New Year's because I can only redeem my voucher on the 26th.

Little Tikes 2n1 Snug Ride Swing in Primary

Lifegear Medicine Ball 75

We didn't bother to wrap these gifts because they would be used immediately, and we have this weird thinking, "Why wait until Christmas?". Okay, we're definitely weird. But I really do love opening presents on Christmas Day! I grew up as the baby of the famliy, and boy did I get a lot of presents! But now that I'm older, and a Mom (!), I don't get gifts that often anymore. Maybe it comes with being a parent, that the gift receiving gets passed on to your child who will get tons of gifts now instead of you. Or maybe finding the perfect present for an adult gets harder every year that it's easier to shop for toys?

My cute little Santa!

Last year, Jacob received a lot of gifts from family and friends, which I was not even expecting because we were in the US. So I was taken by surprise when family friends who just met Jacob were giving him cute clothes and toys. I was a little embarrassed that we didn't have gifts for them aside from our "Thank You"s because unlike my husband, I love giving gifts. To immediate family, to close friends, even to relatives whom we don't see often, I always have gifts ready. But I may be falling back on my traditional gift giving since I don't have a budget! This Christmas I had to budget my way to gifts for relatives and a lot of them (okay, all of them!) will be given as one gift for the whole family. I'm sorry! It's the thought that counts, right?!

Jacob opening gifts with Dad

Anyway, I guess it's partly my fault because I just started "gift shopping" this week. Normally, I'd have gifts ready by November. Oh Motherhood!


So before we disappear into the holiday season, I just want to wish you all a Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

------

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Who do you usually give gifts to during Christmas and when did you start your Christmas shopping?

Share your thoughts below!