Izdihar - Magic Kingdom Escapology

Or at least that's what I'm told...

It's now December and I hear tell that some have already completed their Christmas shopping and worse, some have all their presents wrapped. I am not of that ilk I'm afraid, but the time of year has at least dawned on me and I'm beginning to think I ought to take a modicum of interest in meeting expectations. Given where AM and I live for the larger part of our lives, it's perhaps not surprising that Christmas (there, I've said it now) doesn't have quite the same effect on my psyche as it would back in the UK, where the shops, towns and pubs are decorated to the hilt, in an effort to get people to crack their rather strained wallets and purses out - I'm afraid that a supermarket stacked to the rafters with dates doesn't quite cut it in the same way.

The real trick to Christmas is knowing how to satisfy friends and family with a gift, preferably in the simplest manner and shortest time possible - managed that once when a trip up to the Lakes found a fleece for (almost) everyone. You don't want to under do it - a bulk pack of gift vouchers for example - but then again, you find that as people get older, they do become rather more tricky to buy for. Oft times, getting them what they 'really' want would require a Getty style bankroll with a Hefner sized sack to carry it all back in. So what to do then?

The standard approach is to ask "What would you like for Christmas this year?". They inevitably answer much like myself along the lines of "I don't know" - chances are that they don't actually care that much either. In many eyes, I suspect Christmas is something of a chore to be tolerated at best. It gets a little more entertaining where there are small children involved, but I couldn't eat a whole one myself you understand. Where you do get a suggestion, it's likely going to be for that old favourite, a pair of slippers*.

"But you had slippers last year..."

"I know, but they're worn out from being used round the garage"

Now I could be wrong, but that sounds awfully like I'm doing your annual running repairs. It doesn't sound very festive, much less exciting - please tell me that slippers are not exciting - and lastly it's hardly a surprise either.

The other thing you don't want to do is disappoint anyone. They know where I work, they know I'm doing reasonably well salary-wise and more so when so many others are struggling during the recession. I'd not want to appear to be a cheapskate, nor would I want to look too flash or showy - just wouldn't do.

So back to the question of what to buy for an assorted band of children between 2 and 9, and a set of adults from 29 to 97? I'd love to have another 'fleece' type spark of inspiration right about now, but it's not looking likely. Looks like I could be going back to an old standby and popping an orange and a sixpence into a stocking for everyone. I can't get them all an iPod Shuffle - can you see my Grandmother tackling a PC and iTunes to fill it up, much less getting out in her jogging gear to put it to its true purpose? No, me neither...

If anyone has any suggestions, now would be a good time to make yourself known, because I'm clueless, I really am...

* My Dad always has M&S slippers