It usually starts around Thanksgiving and runs through the first of the new year (actually it's starting to stretch to MLK Day in Govie Circles). That's right, it's The Holiday Season. This can go a couple of ways. You either don't do anything and now have 'parties' to attend or you are always the socialite and now have a bunch more parties to attend. And the party breaks down with these kind of attendees:
- Host - Going crazy to make sure everyone is having a good time (who would tell them different?)
- Host Friend - Supporting the host, but just not quite as crazy and is betting on the host helping them at their next party.
- First to arrive - These people are generally organized and will be the first to bolt because of the spouse, kid, pet, relative, whatever. Just get in and out.
- Last to arrive - Unorganized, but are still wanting to bolt quick!
- Homeless - Just looking for a meal. Will do minimal socializing, but eat everything in site! And gone as soon as the food is. But don't worry, you'll see then next party.
- Working stiffs - They have been assigned a job by the host, and damn it, it's going to get done no matter who they have to annoy.
- Social butterfly - The person's goal is to speak to everyone at the party for at least 5 minutes if they want to be spoken to or not.
- Wallflowers - This makes up about 80% of the people at a party, and you are probably one of them.
And are they really parties? Especially parties at work or sponsored by your company. Work parties are the worst! Because it's not really a party, it's really a meeting where they serve cold cuts and there is alcohol available. You end up hanging around the same people that you see all the time in the office and rehashing a TV show or maybe a funny thing that happened on they way to the party. Like, I saw this deer on the way in to the office today, it had to be 10 feet tall.... And you just wish the deer would have gored this guy Now that would have been interesting!
Gifts
So it's time to buy people stuff. Who do you buy for, how much, and who gets dumped. Parental units always get a gift. They made you, least you can do. Siblings, if they have bought for you in Christmas past (and vice-versa) they get a gift, if not, a hug and a Merry Christmas for you. Siblings children... under the age of 12, yes, 12-17, if they make an attempt to give you a gift, yes, over 18 they are an adult and should try to participate. If they are over 18 and not giving to you, they don't get. Obviously your own children get a gift. Friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc, get this straight early on. Now how much to spend:
Parental Units - Keep it around $100.
Siblings - Depending how many you have, plan on spending about $300-400 on the lot and break it up between them.
Siblings Children - Whatever is left over from their parent. Generally $20-50, if they fall into the category above.
Children - I'll let you know as time goes on.
Exchanging of the gifts
So you followed the above chart on who to give to and how much to spend. It seems reasonable, but this is what happens to me, I'm getting over it. We have our big family gathering on Christmas Eve night. I basically cut out my out of state sister, my other sister who never got me anything (I'm broke, boo-hoo for me), some older nieces and nephews who have jobs, but don't think they should get their uncle anything. I kind of feel bad about handing out gifts around them, but skipping them, but you know, from about the age of 11 on I always made an effort for give my siblings a gift, the younger ones should learn the same. Sorry to be the Grinch, but that's life. There is this place called the Dollar Store that you can make an effort to get people something. They don't get it.
New Years...
So with Christmas behind me, it's time to look forward to New Years. For a few years a bunch of neighbors and friends would get together at my house and we would play some non-drinking, boring, adult games until midnight. Watch Dick Clark, say Happy New Year, hug, and everyone would go home. But Gram basically kills this. She doesn't like any of my friends, and is generally a pain to deal with. Now with the baby, we'll see how bad it gets.
So that's my take on the Holidays in general. I'll post some specifics later.
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