Guidelines for the Holidays, Part I (on proper gift giving)

Estoy¹: Thoughtful
Currently Reading: Click, by Linda Sue Park et al. 4/5. All royalties go to Amnesty International!

Okay, everyone, I am back! I’m extremely sorry for the long lapse between posts, but you know how hectic things get at the holidays! Especially if you happen to be traveling with a sadistic dad and a slightly annoying sister who can be bossy and a nag. But enough about that. I hope everyone had a great holiday bread and is rejuvenated and ready to go back to school. I am! Not. Well, just for your sake (and partly to keep me from going crazy²), I have compiled the list of holiday guidelines: A list of everything³ you should and should not do during the holiday season. Enjoy!

Number One: DO have presents wrapped for everyone you’re giving them to at least two days before the deadline of gift exchange. You should have the presents bought as soon as you can, and no less than a week before they are to be given. While this may sound like a hard thing to do for my fellow procrastinators out there, it will also save you from the last-minute rush before Christmas. It will also prevent you from staying up late the night before wrapping everyone’s presents. Due to my extreme amount of stress during the holidays, I will be doing this one next year.
Number Two: DO figure out who all is giving you presents, if possible. Obviously, you will know if your besties are giving you presents⁴, I’m talking about the people whom you are only good friends with and are probably not on your list⁵. If someone else asks you what you want for Christmas, take the hint and ask them as well. On another note, make sure everyone who will be receiving a present from you knows. I like to do this with the obvious, “Hey, [insert name here], what do you want for Christmas?” I like it. Simple, easy to remember⁶. Or maybe that would be ‘to the point.’ Ah, well. You can’t have everything. Back on topic, another way to insure that no one gets embarrassed by not having a present for you is to bring them a bit early. I did this this year, and I think I saved a friend from feeling bad⁷. This way, they can do the whole “I’m bringing presents on Friday, so you’ll get yours then” deal, leaving the giver (aka you) completely unsuspecting that a present is not prepared for them yet⁸.
Number Three: DO start making your Christmas list early so you have time to think of everything you want. Trust me, there’s nothing worse than thinking of something after all of your presents have been bought. While this method does not guaranteed that you’ll remember everything, it usually helps you think of more things. And we all know that less is not more, more is more. Elementary grammar there, people. It is also a good idea to make multiple copies of your list in case someone loses it⁹; otherwise, you could be having the problem of having to make your list quickly again. And trust me, you do not want that. Until next time…
xxx
Caryn

¹ A Spanish word meaning, “I am.” Two points if you already knew this.
² Or at least crazy-er. And yes, I know that’s spelled wrong. I was just trying to make a point.
³ Okay, not everything. But at least some things.
⁴ And I sincerely hope that they are…
⁵ Because you probably have about 50 friends like this, if you’re anything like me.
⁶ Two points if you caught that quote! Are you keeping track of your points, by the way?
⁷ No, I won’t tell you who it was. This is supposed to make sure they don’t get embarrassed. That would count as embarrassing.
⁸ Disclaimer: This will only work if they’re fairly good at lying. If they’re a bad liar, it ain’t gonna fly.
⁹ *coughMOMcough*

Christmas List!

Current mood: procrastinator!
Currently reading: The Society of S—Susan Hubbard. Adult, Sci-Fi and fantasy. 5/5 so far!

So far, I haven’t had an extremely big week. Just same old, same old…swimming in gym class, lessons in all my other classes. Ah, school. It’s almost nice to be in such a mindless routine. Almost.
I’m getting pretty pumped for Christmas! I can’t believe it’s only¹…12 days away! God, actually that’s really really scary. I have most of my prezzies for my friends, and I’m getting the rest of them tomorrow, but my family? Not so much. I have no idea what my sister even wants for Christmas. She will be home tomorrow², so I guess I can ask her then. I thought that I’d post my Christmas list today, just in case any of my online admirers care to…buy me anything. Not really, I just thought it’d be interesting. Now if I could only find where I put it…!
Clothes:
-sweaters—it gets cold where I live, and I get cold more easily than the average person. Therefore, I spend a lot of time in sweaters. Winter is about 5 months long here, after all.
-skinny jeans—what can I say? I love skinnies…stylish yet comfortable. And I just love jeans in general.
-other cute, random, and exciting things—just because I didn’t specifically list it here doesn’t mean I don’t want it! I have a slight clothes fetish, okay?
-slouch boots—preferably black suede. I know suede is not the best for snowy areas, but it just looks better than leather!
-converse—of any color other than black and brown, cause those are the two I already have. Preferably high tops as well, cause everyone knows that low tops aren’t as cool.
Jewelry:
-big necklaces—I love necklaces. I wear them all the time. But I’m a person for loud jewelry. I don’t generally wear really delicate-looking stuff. It’s just not me.
-bangles—almost as good as necklaces. Bracelets are fun, too. I enjoy the whole “dressing up” thing. It’s a way to amuse yourself!
-skinny headbands—the wide ones don’t look good on me, but they’re a good way to hold your hair back. Really, they are!
Jewelry Box: actually, I already know I’m getting this one, cause I was there when my mom bought it for me. Haha. And when we checked it out on self-checkout? The item name that came up was “Jew Box.” Is someone at Wal-Mart feeling slightly racist??
Leather Ligature: for my clarinet. They may not be as pretty as the other ones, but they make your tone a lot better. Therefore, I want one!
Journal: I’m almost out of paper in my other one. I need a new one! I like to write. Enough said.
Lip Gloss: Chap stick—with color! What else could a girl need, you know?³
Books: (this may be pretty long…)
-Maximum Ride 1, 2, and 3, by James Patterson. Yep, 1holly and Molly⁴ got me hooked. And now these are some of my faves.
-Artemis Fowl 5, by Eoin Colfer, in paperback. I know it’s out already, but our Barnes & Noble won’t have it til freaking March 15! On the observant side, that’s exactly⁵….four months before The Time Paradox⁶ is scheduled for release. But back on topic…
-Pretties and Specials, by Scott Westerfield. I love Scott Westerfield, and while I understand that these books were a bit too sci-fi for people to get into, I absolutely loved them. Note—read Extras as well. It has a new main character and an exciting plot!
-Lord of the Rings: the Return of the King, by JRR Tolkien. I have the other two, but not the third one. This is one of my favorite fantasy series!
-New Moon, by Stephenie Meyer, if it’s out in paperback. I only get books in paperback, if you couldn’t tell. I love these books…vampire books are always fun!
Well, that’s about it for the list today! Hope everyone here has a good weekend and all! Until next time….
xxx

Caryn

¹ *counts on fingers*
² She’s currently at college in Washington
³ actually, a lot…but that’s beside the point.
⁴ that rhymed…special!
⁵ *counts on fingers…* again!
⁶ Which is Artemis Fowl 6, for those of you on the less-informed circuit.