Holiday Panic

Yesterday was the first Library Story Hour of this session. When signing up, I changed our time from Thursday mornings to Wednesday afternoons because I wanted a free morning and over-scheduled Wednesday afternoons. So I was not as familiar with the group of mothers clustered around the children's room tables.

The conversation hovered around holiday shopping. a couple of the women spoke about what they did on Black Friday. They talked about being there in the middle of the night, standing in long lines to get ipods, shopping, finding better prices elsewhere, and returning items to save a few bucks. During the conversation, one woman was doing internet research and finding flyers they could price check and price match with.

I felt like an anthropologist observing a foreign culture. It's not that I am not for saving a few dollars. In fact, Steve thinks I'm downright cheap because I refuse to buy things that I don't think are absolutely necessary. Like new pants. But I don't think twice about spending on organic foods or trips to Disney World, so I know he's wrong. I'll meet you in Orlando. I'll be the one in the burlap sack.

Seriously, though, the conversation made me uncomfortable. I like to think it's because I think Christmas is about more than just things, and that I have risen to a higher state of spritual holiday-ness, but I may be giving myself too much credit. More likely it's because I don't buy the things that these ladies are buying. Our boys are lucky enough to have a lot of relatives and usually get more gifts than is healthy anyway, so the pressure is off. One toy per boy is good. And we are also lucky enough to be able to afford these things without much stress.

But also, I would gladly pay and extra five bucks for an item if it means I will not have to stand in a long line or stay up late for it. Or squeeze in past or with fellow holiday shoppers who are grabby and as stressed as I am.

And then I had last night's dream.

I was driving to the store, and it was early, just when the store opened. It wasn't too crowded, but the shelves were almost empty. There was nothing left! I was too late. And on top of it all, the one thing I was going to get Andy turned out to be the size of our kitchen. It was huge.

So instead of running, I'm going shopping this morning. Running to the store. To buy stuff.