Holiday Power Shopping
My holiday divorce custody schedule is such this year that my kids would be with their mom from this past weekend up until Christmas Eve. Which meant I basically had one chance to take them out shopping for gifts – a three hour window last night. (Yeah, yeah. We could have shopped plenty in the last 12 months. Whatever.)
We did some serious holiday power shopping. And you know what? It went great! No. Greater than great! What an absolute life-saver to have my kids along. Especially my daughter. (She’s got the shopping gene!)
First off, my kids are teens, so they aren’t screaming for me to get them every toy we see in the store. They were focused on my niece and nephew, their 3-year-old cousins.
My 17-year-old daughter had the best time reliving her own youth as we went through the toy store. “Oh, she’ll love this!” “It’s pink!!” “There’s glitter!!!” “How pretty!!!!”
And my son enjoyed picking stuff out for the boy. “This is super cool!” “Awesome!!” “Can I get one too?!!!!” (haha)
Buying stuff for the grandparents went just as well. “Let’s get this family game that we can all play!” Gotta love family time.
But the best part was when my teen daughter borrowed forty bucks and went off on her own. It gave her brother and me a chance to do some serious holiday shopping triage.
Double-doubles and animal fries at In-n-Out.
“Yeah!”
I think I’m going to shop this way every year, forever.
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Comment by mama llama
| December 23rd, 2009
That does sound like a nice way to wrap up the shopping season! Way to go!
Be well, Dads.
mama llama´s last blog ..haiku
Comment by BigLittleWolf
| December 23rd, 2009
Power shopping indeed! I’m impressed. The only shopping I can get my teens to join is for the tree. (And I need them to carry it and tied it on top of the car.) Other shopping? Nope. :)
BigLittleWolf´s last blog ..Are you wasting your time?
Comment by Nicki
| December 23rd, 2009
I’m not sure what animal fries are, but I want some in my mouth RIGHT NOW. (Don’t ruin this for me if they are something other than what I think they are…please.)
Nicki´s last blog ..Holiday Must Watch Movies…
Comment by Vinomom
| December 23rd, 2009
I love getting on a power shopping roll. And buying the stuff for the little ones is the best. At nine years old my daughter’s too old to even go to ToysRuS anymore :( Have a wonderful Christmas DH !
Vinomom´s last blog ..
Comment by Travis
| December 23rd, 2009
Oh man the animal fries are making my arm tingle just thinking about them…. I know where I’m going for lunch. :)
Travis´s last blog ..Speak The Language In A Voice That You Have Never Heard
Comment by Mindy/Single Mom Says...
| December 23rd, 2009
Nice going, David! I did my shopping this year in just a few hours one morning – including Costco. Going simple is the way to go!
Mindy/Single Mom Says…´s last blog ..Home for the Holidays
Comment by Sandra
| December 23rd, 2009
I didn’t know you were an uncle because I don’t think you’ve ever mentioned your three year old cousins. Sounds like a nice shopping trip.
Sandra´s last blog ..I’m not humping on Hump Day
Comment by Danielle
| December 23rd, 2009
Sounds much better than shopping with a 2 year old in tow.
BTW, what did you get me?
Danielle´s last blog ..Santa, I have been a good little girl.
Comment by thewildmind
| December 23rd, 2009
I love it when that happens! I usually encounter the other problem…I venture out and can’t find ANYTHING!
thewildmind´s last blog ..Roasting Chestnuts, Ringing Bells, Jumping Santa Merrily On High and Other Songs of the Season
Comment by Elizabeth
| December 23rd, 2009
Your daughter must be past the “me,me,me” it’s all about me phase. Maybe I’ll show this post to my 14 year old daughter. Thanks for cheering me up, I can face the rest of the shopping, with or without the kids!
Elizabeth
Elizabeth´s last blog ..A trial month
Comment by Mark
| December 23rd, 2009
Sounds like a great time! Have a wonderful holiday!
Mark´s last blog ..Where There Is Love …
Comment by BigLittleWolf
| December 24th, 2009
Make sure you get all that last minute shopping in – and have a wonderful Christmas Eve and a relaxing holiday!
BigLittleWolf´s last blog ..‘Twas the day before Christmas
Comment by Kat Wilder
| December 24th, 2009
So … what did you guys get me? Just wonderin’.
Merry, merry!
Kat Wilder´s last blog ..Love me, love my gift
Comment by Koozies
| December 25th, 2009
no big comment on that…but I LOVE this blog, it is great and pls keep up the great work
Comment by the two whos
| December 25th, 2009
I have been enjoying your blog lately. I have been critical on single dad because I do not believe many men can really put their children’s wellbeing first. This is because of my experiences with my ex. You blog has changed some of my perspectives on single dad. Thank you.
the two whos´s last blog ..Do What Your Heart Desires~
Comment by PJC
| December 26th, 2009
I must admit, I had to wince when I read “pink, glitter…” I look at the little girl isle in store and feel almost sick. Giant doll heads, fake makeup, glittering ponies, plastic carrots, glittering purses -the stupidest brainless products ever made. Boys isle? Erector sets, legos, make a volcano or your own radio… no wonder girls don’t do as well as boys in science and math. UGH.
Comment by notasoccermom
| December 26th, 2009
I love to shop, when I have the cash. I think it can be serious bonding time. Too funny that your time alone was to grab the food.. haha we have to sneak presents to the car while others are shopping.
Hope you had a great holiday!!! May the peace of the season be with you and your family.
notasoccermom´s last blog ..Betty Crocker’s here in spirit
Comment by Sandy
| December 28th, 2009
I did some power shopping this year, too, right after a blizzard. The stores were M-T! (empty) It was great, no lines, no wait. It wasn’t the last 3 hours of Christmas Eve Day though. You are very brave.
Sandy´s last blog ..Question……