If they really issued "man cards", I might get one for the way I shop. I would just assume wait until the last minute, and then, in a fast and furious mad dash, in the wintery bluster and spitting snow, run around with the crazed masses to get my shopping done. Nothing like joining the throng of panicking men trying to get everything done the week before (Heck, maybe the DAY before) Christmas. If the wife and kids get whatever is left on the freshly “picked over” holiday shelves, don’t blame me, that’s how Men shop, right? Yeah right.
Notice I said I would “just assume” do that, which means it is my preference. Ah, there’s the rub.
I am a Man, yes, but I am a married man. My preferences don’t always matter in household decisions, especially if the preference involves spending money. Early on in our relationship, Mama made it clear that HER preference was to plan the holiday shopping a bit more than I would. Since if Mama ain’t happy, nobody’s happy, I tried -- really tried--, to acquiesce to her preferences. Buy Christmas stuff all year long. Get the things people asked for. It works to a certain extent. If we plan well, and shop in advance, we have time to find the harder to get stuff kids always ask for. Another benefit is the impact to the household budget is a lot less severe. While this works, and I suppose I got used to it to a certain extent, not going out in the crowd for a day and buying all sorts of useless crap for the important people in my life, was just stuck in my craw.
Still, to me, it ain’t Christmas without at least one shopping expedition, on my own, with a list of people to get something for, rather than a list of stuff to get. Shopping without a plan is part of the fun. Since Mama loves me, and wants me to be happy, we have come to an agreement. I get to go shopping one day now (yeah, GET TO, ... 'cause if Mama ain’t happy...) I limit my purchases to one gift each for our 4 daughters and one for Mama. That way, it still feels like Christmas to me, and I get to keep my “man card”.
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