Every year I promise myself it won’t happen. I think about it all January – this year will be different. I’ll be prepared. I’ll have lists. I’ll be organized. I will plan ahead.

And every year, I fail.

I’m talking, of course, about Christmas shopping. I read about these people who are done in August- or even in November- and I wonder who these freaks of nature are?  Who are these people who think that far ahead, who know what people want before they give a list or circle 100 things in a catalog?

I am not one of those people.  I one of the take-two-days-off-from-work, color-coded spreadsheet people.  I’m the one who leaves the house at 8 am and doesn’t come back till my checklist is checked off and my trunk is overflowing. I have friends that shop with me, bless them, but they know on these shopping days, it’s all about me. They are those already-done-shopping freaks anyhow, so I think they go just to watch me sweat, squirm and panic.  And for the meal we get because even shopping maniacs have to fuel up and I’m not one to pass up the joy of eating in a restaurant without children.

The best part is I normally have fun doing this. I like having one or two days to dedicate to the craziness of shopping.  I love the company of my friends and I enjoy the excuse to take a day for me (and everyone else that will benefit from my day).  I thrive on the stress and the need to get it done NOW.  Otherwise, it doesn’t get done. After 13+ years of shopping for Christmas I know that- it’s never going to change, so I might as well embrace it.

Now, the wrapping that I also need to get done under the gun? I’ll always loathe that part.