Re: Oh dreaded night....
It has developed into a tradition with me to watch the Navy/Army game and then head out to the local malls to shop for Xmas gifts for the family. I am not a fan of malls, shopping, crowds... but it has to be done. I tried the online thing but was often disappointed with my choices not being able to examine the gifts before purchase. Tonites the night! Anyone else dread the holiday shopping ritual like me?
I ask for, and buy, gift certificates. That way, people can buy what they want and don't have to pretend that they like the ill-thought-out crap you ended up buying for them. Myself, I have a closet full of sports jerseys/memorabilia that people have given me over the years, and I can't tell you the last time I watched any sports aside from my kids' T-Ball game. I'd rather watch ballet than a sports game. This year I put out an APB to all of my family stating that I'd really like gift certificates to Bass Pro Shops as I want a $400 fishing pole and am saving for it. (I really don't, but tell me you couldn't blow that kind of money easily there on a multitude of things. The $400 price diverts them from trying to get what they think I want, and enough $25 certificates and I'm good.)
If you have to go out, I suggest conducting this outing like a special-ops covert mission. Have an objective, a target, a plan of attack, then execute. It's really the man's way of thinking. Women will go from store to store grazing on different items, then circle back and get the first thing they found after a 4-hour tour of duty. Myself, I research, make phone calls, then set out, only to return in an hour either victorious or having aborted. If aborted, then rethink, replan, re-execute. This way there's very little collateral damage and no one gets hurt.
EDIT: The grazing tactic employed by women may only be used by men who are
alone and in either Bass Pro Shops, Cabelas, Sears' Craftsman Department, or a Boating Store.
