Progress? Not much

I'm behind. I haven't bought enough gifts. I haven't done enough wrapping and I definitely have not planned any menus or parties. I have not mailed a single holiday card. I did nothing this weekend and frankly, nothing for most of last week. So now I'm a bit of a wreck.

How did this happen?

Frankly, I'm very well-aware of what happened. I became smug. I bought four presents and wrapped them all over Thanksgiving weekend and was so pleased with myself that I haven't felt compelled to do anything since.

But this being a Monday, I'm ready to start anew. I'm going to order two presents online. I'm going to stop at the store to pick up wrapping paper and gift tags. I'm going to see if I have one or two decent photos of my toddlers that I could slip in some holiday cards.

I'm going to do one thing a day and will report back on my progress.

Meanwhile, the newspaper has put together a lot of gift recommendations. Just this weekend, the Travel section and the Sunday Source offered ideas for presents. Check them out and let me know what you're buying for others this year. We'd also love to know about great little neighborhood shops worth sharing with the wider world.

Maybe when I hear how organized and efficient everyone else is, I will be goaded into doing something.

By Liz Seymour | December 4, 2006; 1:10 PM ET | Category: Shopping
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It's not terribly unique, but I'm going to put in a plug for Half.com. It's run by eBay, so be a little bti careful since you're dealing with individuals rather than a company most of the time, but I've never had any particular problem buying brand-new DVDs, CDs, and some books from them at a fraction of the cost. Only drawback is possibly shipping time (and $2.79+ extra per item), but you can get upgraded shipping from media mail at a fairly reasonable cost. Got my mom's favorite movie on DVD to the tune of $7, including shipping. :)

(It's also good for getting used books -- textbooks and otherwise -- which is how I originally found it.)

Posted by: | December 4, 2006 03:57 PM

I'm nearly finished but there is one couple on my list I haven't even started on yet! This weekend I'm running up to Balitmore for one thing I am specifically looking for, and not one to waste time, I wanted to know where the great places to shop in Balitmore are. Obviously there are the two malls right there next to the Harbor, but I'm looking for more of a unique experience. I'm not that familiar with the various little areas of B-more City and was wondering where is a great neighborhood for street shopping? You know, unique little shops and boutiques that offer more than just your run of the mill mall shops. Is there such a place in Baltimore?

Posted by: GlitrVamp | December 4, 2006 05:46 PM

Well, you won't be hearing it from me. We have an undecorated tree in the living room since the Saturday following Thanksgiving. All packages have been officially mailed. Absolutely nothing has been wrapped. I have no plans for Christmas eve meal. I might order out from a nice resturant instead. No plans for holiday cookies or hot chocolate. Gifts to the school has yet to be purchased. Holiday cards yet to be addressed and mailed. Hmm, I have a lot of work to do and I am going away all weekend. Insane, I am not sure how this all happens each year.

Posted by: foamgnome | December 5, 2006 10:51 AM

Okay, another question:

Is there some sort of protocol for giving things to resident-manager types in apartment complexes? Ours has been particularly helpful, especially when we moved in, with fixing (& then replacing) our stove and helping us find the breaker box outside when the power went out (unrelated). Roomie and I are thinking we should drop some token off to him and his family as a thank-you, but we're not sure of *what.* Ideas?

Posted by: | December 6, 2006 08:55 AM