Christmas comes too soon each year ...

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Irene & I decided several years ago to skip the commercial Christmas and mainly spend on presents for the children (ours as well as the nieces and nephews). We usually have a big houseful of kids at my mom's place for Christmas eve and then one of the brother-in-laws dresses up as Santa and passes out presents.

Personally, I hate fighting the crowds, finding parking, etc. All the "normal" stuff of Christmas shopping. Its not romantic but I give Irene a big gift card from Metrotown mall and then she can do all her Boxing Day shopping without spending a cent of her money. Added benefit is that she doesn't complain about my going Boxing Day shopping at J&L and the other LFS.

The plus side of the Christmas season starting earlier is that we can take the kids to Mandeville Garden Works (the local nursery) and they have a huge section with Christmas trees and other decorations all set up already.