'Tis the season to be giving

Christmas and all that this encompasses represents something different to everyone who celebrates it or for whom it holds some sort of special meaning. A big part of Christmas is the ritual of gift giving, which on the 25th December is a delightful thing to foresee. However, it also means a few stressful days of crowded shopping malls searching for that ever-elusive perfect gift. I love to give gifts and I am not quite ready to be selfless and assume I will get nothing in return. At the same time I appreciate the notion and the actions of giving to those less fortunate. At my work we take part in a food bank/toy drive put on by one of the local radio stations and although I can't spare much, it fills me with immense pleasure to contribute a few items of food and small toys. No matter what your circumstance, Christmas can provide a sanctuary from it even if for only a few hours. When it comes to gift giving for family and friends, I try to utilise online shopping to save on postage and to avoid the crowds, but at the same time the click on a keyboard doesn't quite fulfill me the way the ringing of a register does. My go to website for friends in the UK is Amazon and they usually don't disappoint especially as my purchases often qualify for free shipping. This week I discovered another website called Oliver Bonas and I was a little bit enamoured with some of their homewares, of which I have my eye on a couple of items for a friend. In relation to shopping for family, we tend to offer the option of wish lists before heading down the surprise avenue. With my niece and nephew it will be of the surprise nature for the next few years at least as I have their mummy to ask for suggestions from. In turn, if anyone asks, I try to offer up a few options, but I tend to struggle with my wish list, especially because I know what I like and I always felt it was a tad bit demanding to ask for an exact item. I like to think I listen enough to my friends and observe their likes and dislikes to be able to make purchases they will enjoy and use. I guess the good thing is I am not there to see their first reaction upon opening, which may be for the best if I have missed the mark. When all is said and done, for me Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without having nicely wrapped presents to open up and while my bank account may not agree, I love pretty much every part of the process.

My first and only Christmas tree in Vancouver