present pressure

I’m going to visit my family for xmas. Last year I went to the inlaws’, and even though both fams are in the same state, they are 9 hours’ driving time apart. CA is a big state. Plus last year the inlaws bought our plane tickets. This year, it’s only fair to switch. And buy our own fare. Even though it’s more expensive because Eureka is a small nothing town & only 2 airlines fly there, and then only from San Francisco. (There are a lot of apostrophes in this paragraph. I don’t like it.)

So anyway, I need to buy presents*. My mom is easy. She’s the type of mom that would love an NYU Law sweatshirt because 1) she loves sweatshirts and 2) she doesn’t need much provocation to brag about her children (and yes, the Boyfriend counts as her child). So guess what she’s getting. She’s also the kind of mom that would love to wear some beautiful jewelry handmade by her daughter. I need to get to work on that. My brother is also pretty easy. A 17-year old wannabe thug. He gets a black beanie that says NY. Yes, it cost $5 at a Chinatown tourist shop. But it gives him street cred back in Eureka. His bday is 3 days after xmas, so even though I won’t be there (stupid work) I should get him something else.

Everyone else is hard. My dad & stepmom, and my inlaws, are the kind of people whose children have all moved out. Now if they want something, they go out & buy it. Makes for tough gift giving. And I realize now I need to get them something by next week. Doh.
I also need to get something for the Boyfriend. Normally we buy ourselves one big gift to share, like a digital camera or something. But we don’t have anything in mind this year. I just bought him the best presents ever (a dvd set, 2 cds, and an autographed photo of Jimmy Page) last month for his bday. I can’t top that so soon, nor do I feel like trying.

I thought I was all on top of everything this year because I bought a few people gifts. Of course, I have many more to buy. I always pride myself on my excellent gift-giving abilities, but now I feel rushed.
Bah humbug.



* I feel confident mentioning in my blog what presents I bought because I am certain my parents don’t even know what a blog is, let alone know to read one and ruin their surprises.