The Christmas Madness Begins--But for You Too?

[Ira]

(And yes, it's okay to say Christmas around me. And you don't have to ALSO mention Chanukah, or Hannukah, whatever your preferred spelling.)

It's nuts already.

Wife works at Wal-Mart, overnights, and last night, they started a line in electronics at midnight--for PlayStation 3's that will be first be sold midnight TONIGHT.

Did you hear me?

There are nuts who are going to wait on a line for 24 hours for a PS3, DOZENS of them, and the store will probably only have around 10. I can just see the news stories tomorrow.

Although my wife and I have always spoiled our kids, and I've done more than my share of running around to get them that rare, wanted gift, isn't this getting a little sick, folks?

Elmer--what's the deal with YOU!? With your youngin's, are you running all over town trying to find that new Elmo thingy?

Thank God that this year, my kids' lists are short, not too expensive, and readily available. (Well, the telescope ain't that cheap, but it's readily available.)

Also, anyone hoping for a special TD gift this year? I want a generator, but I don't think we can swing it.

[cracker39]

I'd like to just forget all about it. Sharon has asked me several time "what are we going to do about Christmas". My replies..."Beats me".

With four daughters and 10 grandchildren between us, it gets too darned expensive for even cheap gifts on a retiree's budget. Me stand in a line in the middle of the night to buy something? Not on your life.

[Joseph]

There are nuts who are going to wait on a line for 24 hours for a PS3, DOZENS of them, and the store will probably only have around 10.

Proving once again that PT Barnum was right.

Joseph

[Ira]

AND THE THING IS 600 BUCKS!!!

[TRAIL-OF-TEARS]

ah, the wife did most of the christmas shopping tuesday evening. she said it was a mad house. We just need to get a few things for our parents and each other and we are done.
My list consists of a 5' section of 2" alum flat bar so I can complete the trim on my hatch. and a DO.

[Ira]

My list consists of a 5' section of 2" alum flat bar

You need a long stocking to put that in.

[Joseph]

No madness for me. My daughter is grown so she gets a check. Kate finds Christmas depressing and we both have too much stuff as it is, so we tend to ignore it, though I do hang a tree at my house. (Yes, hang - it's a wall model. Less impact on my limited floor space and harder for the cats to reach.) It'd be nice to get together with her, but unfortunately the madness extends to flights around Christmas so we may put it off until New Year.

I do have a couple of boxes of cheap cards that I send out to family and a few good friends just so they know they're remembered, but that's about it.

Joseph

[Outlaw]

I'm sure I'll get flamed for this post. I can't stand the Salvation Army bell ringers at Christmas time. My business donates more to charity during the year than most people spend on cigarettes - TRUE! The last thing I want to hear a month and a half before Christmas is somone clanging a bell in my ear every time I need something from the store. I'm not saying the Salvation Army isn't a great organization. I just think they could about it in a much less annoying way. Personally, I'd like to take that bell and shove it up their *loving*foul*unit*musicmaker*



Turning rant mode to "off" position . . .

[bledsoe3]

Ira, You better have your wife pick one of those up. I'll bet you could sell it for double on e-bay the next day.

[Nitetimes]

Wife works at Wal-Mart, overnights, and last night, they started a line in electronics at midnight--for PlayStation 3's that will be first be sold midnight TONIGHT.

Did you hear me?

There are nuts who are going to wait on a line for 24 hours for a PS3, DOZENS of them, and the store will probably only have around 10. I can just see the news stories tomorrow.

Ira, they have been lining up for weeks already. Last night ain't all that bad really. I've seen pictures of some idiots lined up over a week ago and they are outside.
I don't like to wait in the checkout line for more than a few minutes, not likely I'll wait in line for junk like that.

[oklahomajewel]

No flaming from me Outlaw... but just to say that my favorite bell ringers from the SA are the ones that are friendly, say hello with a smile and open the store's door for you... and will stop ringing the bell when a lady with a sleeping baby or child on her shoulder walks up...
or the one that is singing Christmas tunes....

much better than the ones that look pissed off and are ringing the bell like it's a chicken's neck....

IMO,,,

julie

[SkipperSue]

Last year I told my parents and brother that Sue and I wouldn't be getting anyone any gifts and to not get us anything. We don't have any kids so we were allways getting "stiffed" every holiday season. We stay at home and usually go see my parents a few days after all the hoopla. Call me a Scrooge but I hate holidays.

[mincey]

My whole family is out west (I am originally from S. Ca). I used to fly out every Christmas to see everyone. But after years of that, I am getting real tired of being the onyl one who travels. Now that some of my relatives are retired, why don't they ever make it out to GA? The only ones that have been out here are my mom and step-dad and one cousin. Even my father has never been out in GA and I have lived here since '89!! One Christmas, my mom and step-dad did come out at Christmas because I had just had surgery and was unable to travel, and it was nice having them here. They are the only ones who make the effort and have visited quite a few times. I guess I am getting crotchety after turning 40! Don't want to deal with flying over the holidays anymore either!! So we no longer fly out west for Christmas.

My hubby's family is local here, but they really don't do a big todoo for Christmas. We just stop by and visit with them for a while. We don't have kids, so we just do what we want for the holidays. Christmas day is a great day to go to the movies!!!

We have even gotten to the point that we don't even exchange gifts. We just send out cards with personal letters written to folks that we hadn't seen in a while, for the personal touch.

Cheryl

[Ira]

Ira, You better have your wife pick one of those up. I'll bet you could sell it for double on e-bay the next day.

That's what everyone is telling me.

But...

Employees are not allowed to take certain items for themsleves. It's grounds for dismissal.

And who wants to get fired from a great company like Wal-Mart?

[RKH]

Wife works at Wal-Mart, overnights, and last night, they started a line in electronics at midnight--for PlayStation 3's that will be first be sold midnight TONIGHT.

Did you hear me?

There are nuts who are going to wait on a line for 24 hours for a PS3, DOZENS of them, and the store will probably only have around 10. I can just see the news stories tomorrow.

They started on Monday night here.