Christmas shopping decisions

Modern hassles versus old ones

Here we are in 2013 - well into the 21st century now, and Christmas shopping isn't getting any easier, is it. Sure, we can order all our presents for everyone online from the comfort of our fireside armchairs, and have them delivered to the doorstep - those of us with computers and a handy stay-home relative or friend to sign for those deliveries, so what's the problem? No more city-centre trudges! What could possibly be wrong with that?

Well, for a start, only some of us have computers and parcel-signers. But before we even get to that stage, what do we order? The range of choice is becoming overwhelming - even more so since I wrote 'Decisions in the Food Hall' (4th poem down, 'Humorous' page).


But even before you step foot (or keypad click) into that ocean of online choice, there's the matter of what sort of gift to surf for, a specially daunting one for folk like me of a certain age trying to buy for youngsters. The younger generation are all into IT, of course, of which I know next to nothing: they all want something with an i in it, like an ipad or an ipod or an iphone or an - I dunno.

As for the older generation - well, they've got everything already, haven't they?  Many times over. They're up to their chins in socks and soaps from the last several decades, mostly still in their wrappers, and you can't even throw a box of chocs at them these days because they're all on diets - or claim to be anyway.

And then there are those worthy friends with consciences: those who, quite rightly, would reject any gift whose manufacture cannot be proved to be entirely fair for all involved, including the beetle it was tested on. Yes, all absolutely right and proper, but.

But for those of us who do still face the city swarms and stagger back to our distantly parked cars weighed down with items we bought at our wits' ends at prices only envisaged in nightmares, Christmas shopping isn't one iota easier than it ever was, surely - worse if anything, especially with our innovative 21st century eradication of that quaint old thing - the parking space.

Then, back home at last and on the verge of collapse, there's the wrapping up. Has anyone invented a gift-wrapping machine yet? If so, I haven't seen it. I could have done with it when wrapping up that fork (3rd poem down on my website post) or that plant - yes, plant.

Well, no good moaning over spilt soil!  Time to tackle those remaining question marks down me list!

Happy shopping,


Kate