gifts | Taylor Grace

I don’t like to give Christmas presents. I know that makes me sound like the Scrooge but I really don’t. I find it…well, silly.

Before you condemn me, imagine this, if you will. I’m at a store, smelling different creams, wondering if my friend (let’s call her Gwedoline because it’s a delicious name) will like coconut or prefer cucumber. I wrack my brain trying to think if she smells more like the tropics or a cool salad and finally make a decision and buy one of the creams. Meanwhile, Wendy (aka Gwendoline but she goes by Wendy for friends) is at another store, sniffing hand lotion and wondering if I prefer the one that smells like cinnamon (I don’t) or the one that smells like vanilla (I like unscented, Wendy! Unscented!). I’ve stood countless times in different stores buying stuff for friends wondering what scent they’d like or if they were scent-sensitive.

I do draw the line at kids. Kids need presents and they’re the exception to my no-gift rule. But adults? Hm…nope.

Instead of buying gifts, I like to choose a charity and donate the money I would have spent on gifts to it. Isn’t that an awesome idea? I choose my charities with care every year. I visit them and see what they do and ask questions and…then I give the money away and I feel all…., well, all Christmassy (not a word, I know). This year, I chose the Salvation Army.

I have told my grown up friends: don’t give me gifts. Don’t do it. Save your money. And, I go and do my own giving to the charity of that particular year and I simply love the idea.

So, what do you think? Am I missing out on a vital part of Christmas? Should I reconsider? Or is this a good idea?

By the way, we got more snow. Tons of it. I think Mother Nature’s lost it. If this keeps up, we might have to dig out the house. Yes, Fuzzy Tail is delighted.