Cornered by Mike Baldwin for December 20, 2009

Joe Joe is suffering from grinchy-itis.

Love this true … one stop shopping !

Joe you would drain the joy from an icecream cone.

I wish shopping were this easy.

I’ve never believed in Santa, and neither have my kids. However, that doesn’t stop us from having stockings at Christmas. It is fun to give and receive little, unexpensive gifts, in addition to the larger gifts. The large gifts I have a list, and plan exactly what I’m going to buy for each person. The stocking stuffers are fun, because I just cruise the aisles, looking for items that they might enjoy. Actually, I’ve switched from using our pretty Christmas stockings, to using plastic tubs, because they are easier to stuff as I come home from each shopping trip. That helps to me analyze if I’ve given each son approximately the same amount. I don’t have a long gift-giving list though, I keep it very short. It is one thing to give to others something we know they want and/or need, it isn’t quite as loving to give something (anything) to someone just because we feel pressured. Jesus was the greatest gift, which is why we give to others. Even though the Bible only mentions the magi giving gifts to Jesus, and that wasn’t immediately after His birth, it doesn’t say that no one else gave Jesus anything. I can’t imagine that none of the Hebrew ladies gave any gifts for the baby (like today’s baby showers) because Jesus was the firstborn in that family. They’d need something to use for diapers, at the very least!

Rmom, you took the words right out of my mouth! Merry Christmas everyone!

Human: You’ve come the closest to expressing my view except that I’m an atheist, not a pagan. Merry Festival of Light, Prosperity, and Generosity to those we value!

As for the cartoon, what a great idea! I hope someone can do it next year and become a billionaire.

I could use something like that to shop for the dummies I know.

Don’t they need the book that goes along with that vending machine?