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I'm typically a last minute shopper. Many is the year that my shopping was done at the mall on Christmas Eve. Certainly there are any number of things that I've found and hidden away throughout the year, but mostly I lose track of those and don't discover them again until early January.
Yes, I will admit that I have re-gifted. Although one year my sister's cats were visiting and stopped me from doing so ... knocked over a Pfaltzgraff candleholder which was wrapped and ready to go. *kersmash*
I much prefer to get gifts for friends that are unique and/or handcrafted. I love going to the Christkindlmarkt in Bethlehem, PA for stuff like that. When I have time, I'll do the making myself ... earrings, scarves, and afghans are good.
Within my own immediate family (mother and sister) we supply each other with a list. Mine always starts with the Hallmark Star Trek Tree Ornament ... I have the whole set, and no, they don't go on the tree, too much of a PITA to take them out of the boxes and wire them into the light strands (no more than two per strand, please). The point is that I have them, not that I USE them. So I always get something that I want, which also usually includes some kind of videogames or accessories. I still haven't finished playing with last year's toys ... Ratchet & Clank and SOCOM.
And I agree ... for friends with children there are actually two categories of toys ... messy (playdoh, fingerpaints, etc.) and loud. I usually go for loud. Drum sets, musical busy boxes, or whatever will be age appropriate. But LOUD.
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