O Christmas shopping, O Christmas shopping!!!

Can I just say that I am so excited for Joshua’s first Christmas I’m probably bordering on clinically insane?  It’s ridiculous how excited I am to try and keep him out of the Christmas tree and to keep him from eating the wrapping paper. 

There’s just something about this time of year that makes me really, really happy.  I hate cold weather with a fiery passion, but I love the holidays.  I think it makes people nicer and generally happier.  (Or most people, anyway.  There are always selfish Scrooges.)  Post-holiday, all bets are off, but the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas might just be my favorite time of the year. 

So, even though he has no idea what Christmas is, I’m really excited to give him his presents.  Dan and I (okay, this was my idea and Dan humored me) decided that in order to keep some surprise in the holiday, we’d each buy Joshua three gifts with a $50 maximum on each of our three gifts combined (so, up to $100 in gifts).  And we’re not telling each other what we’ve purchased for him.  But, what if we each get him the same thing, you ask?  Well, one of them will go back to the store and we can congratulate ourselves on really knowing each other and our son.  It’s a win-win. 

From Santa, Joshua is getting the Leapfrog Learn and Groove Musical table because I got a smokin’ deal on it on Black Friday ($20 shipped to my door for an item that usually retails for $45?  Yes, please!).  Actually, I’ve gotten a smokin’ deal on all of Joshua’s Christmas gifts because I’m a coupon-crazy bargain shopper.  (For my three gifts, I’ve spent $30 total.  WOOT!)  No, I can’t tell you what I’m getting him because Dan reads the blog and that would ruin the surprise.  But, if you need ideas for your little one or for a friend’s little one, leave a comment and I’ll respond via email. 

Joshua has also gotten into the holdiay spirit.  The other night he decided he would help me shop for Dan.  Here’s how this idea-gathering venture went.