'Tis the Season!

'Tis the season to go shopping....
Fa La La La La, La La La La!
Christmas Wish Lists keep me hopping...
Fa La La La La, La La La La....

Oh, yes. The consumer season is upon us. I'm not a big shopper for most of the year, but give me a reason to shop and permission to spend and I'm right out there with the best of them.

What really gets me...in the wallet...are all those shiny gadgets, colorful gift boxes, and new, never marketed before, glossy or sparkly, or just plain cute...THINGS just begging to be bought!

During the year I walk past displays in Target (or Wal-Mart--I don't discriminate), head held high, motivation intact. Nope. Don't need that. I came for the dog food on sale. I don't need the latest sweater or the matching individual casserole bowls in fall colors. But starting with Black Friday, I am way-laid by the sparkly tops. I gaze at the Christmas dishes. I find my cart filling with cute toys for kids, 'adorable' stocking stuffers, and...oops...what to my wondering eyes should appear, but holiday wineglasses to help spread the cheer!

And I confess I am a sucker for a MAN gadget in a gift pack!

Let's face it. Is there anyone harder to shop for than a man? First of all, most men can't come up with a (decent) list of things they want for Christmas so it's really their own fault when they end up with the stuff marketed for men at Christmas. And even if they do give you a wish list, it's for work gloves or something silly like drill bits! I mean, what kind of gift is that? It's like giving me an iron! Why don't they want fun stuff? How many wrenches, drill bits, or black electric tape can they use?

And that is the crux of the problem and the reason for all those glitzy gift packs. Women like shiny and glitzy. Men like useful and practical. The result is predictable. He gets the charging station and the matching briefcase, billfold and credit card holder, when what he really wants are the floor mats for his truck. She gets the crockpot and set of cookbooks from the Food Network, when she was hoping he'd go to Jared's.

Do we need anymore evidence that 'Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus'? Christmas should be the exclamation point on that concept!

Before I close, I need to add a disclaimer here. My husband and I both go towards the practical side. I like a bit of glitz in my own life and I am guilty of buying that gift item marketed towards women to buy for men, but overall, most of the gifts we buy for each other are simple, practical, and right on target. He doesn't really need to go to Jared's to reach my heart.

And now...back to the store. There are only a few shopping days left and I'm pretty sure I hear Target calling my name.

Fa La La La La La La La LA!