RETURN-A-HOLIC.

I think it’s safe to say that 75% of the merchandise that I buy (or get as gifts) gets returned. Maybe it’s because I love the trill of buying, and when you return, it’s like you get two transactions for the price of one. Maybe it’s because I am a control freak. Maybe it’s because I always feel guilty spending money on myself. Maybe it’s a true addiction. Or maybe it’s just because I am flat-out indecisive.

This is usually my busiest season. Sure, I may ask for item number 1234 in red in a size small, but then once I get it, I question my choice and the urge to return it comes on as strong as a full bladder at 3am.

Last week, I was even anticipating the onset of my busy season and caught myself wondering what I’d buy with gifts I’d return after Christmas. This week, however, my thoughts are so much different. I am totally in awe of my gifts and feel kind of lost ’cause I have nothing that I want to return. You see, Santa was so very good to me. No, I didn’t get that boob job I asked for, but take a peek for yourself & you’ll see why I am still grinning from ear to ear:

Santa #1, a.k.a. DaddyMac, surprised me with this incredible HP Laptop so that I can blog/tweet/stalk my friends on FB while sitting beside him on the couch at night: Santa #2, a.k.a. my Stepmom and Dad, surprised me with this stunning & absolutely perfect COACH bag (I’ve never actually owned a “real” one and it’s such a treat!!):

and, Santa #3, a.k.a. my Mom and Stepdad, surprised me with my favorite tote, The Vera, from the Vera Bradley collection in one of her new winter patterns:
I must have been real good this year…

This week, Mellisa & I want you to show us your Christmas Tree! You can either post a few pics or even post a vlog giving us a tour of your tree. Link up below so that we can all take a virtual tour of each others holiday decorations!

If you previously posted about your tree, feel free to just link up that post here. Everyone who links up will receive an extra entry into the Stuff Your Stocking with GIVEAWAYS Grand Prize drawing, which will take place on this Saturday, December 19th!!

The first was a gift from my Aunt–it’s a seashell with a photo of our beagle, Elvis, decoupaged on it. My Aunt gave me this heartfelt ornament the year her and my Uncle took him into their home for us because Buckaroo was so highly allergic to him that he could not live with us any longer.

The second is an ornament that my mother-in-law gave us last year. It was the first Christmas since my father-in-laws passing. It’s a beautiful pewter dove that says “Peace and Love in Every Memory.” It helps us remember Dad every time we see it.

The third is the “Family” ornament from Willow Tree. I have several Willow Tree collectibles throughout my home and my grandmother gave this to me last Christmas.

The final ornament is one that DaddyMac bought me on our Honeymoon in St. Lucia. It’s a beautiful seashell with handpainted ceramic flowers.

Now it’s your turn. Link up below and show us your tree!!

My kids sat on Santa’s lap at the mall on Friday–I know, I can’t believe he was in the mall already either, but I figured that, for starters, there was no line so it was the perfect time, and second, the sooner I hear them tell Santa what they want, the sooner I can start shopping.

Well, Buckaroo told Santa he wanted a Nintendo DS.

I knew it was coming–he’s been talking it up for weeks now, going back and forth between that and a new VSmile since his broke recently. At first, I thought it was a great idea. I personally like the idea of hand-held video games ’cause with the Wii, he just hogs my TV! But, all kidding aside, I’m not against video games at all. I see the good things that he has, in fact, learned from them, and he is in no way hooked to them to the point where he won’t engage in other activities. He gets plenty of imaginary play, plenty of educational play, plenty of active play, and so on. I know he’d choose arts & crafts over a video game anyway! But, in my opinion, they definitely do have a time and a place in a boys life!

But, on the down side, I am just not sure he is ready for a DS just yet. We have a Wii, and he barely plays it. He has about 4 or 5 games for it, and it’s not something we turn on daily, yet when he does he completely loves it! I feel like maybe getting another game or two for that, and possibly a new VSmile that he can use the games he already has with, that are in fact educational, or maybe a new computer game instead, is the better option.

Either way, I have a DS sitting here. I bought it yesterday just in case I made up my mind and they were sold out because that would just be my luck. I am just so damn torn about whether to keep it or return it.

It bothers me that I spent $150 and got the DS and 1 game, which might I add I pointed it out to him on the computer and he said, “nah, don’t want that one!” I told myself I’d spend just $200 on each of them for Christmas, and now with what I have left I can barely buy him some of the other toys he was asking for. Is he ready, at just 5 1/2 years old, to take care of such an expensive toy?

I just don’t know what to do.

And I don’t know why I care so much.

And I don’t even know if he really wants one or understands what it truly is. He may think he wants it, but trust me, I am his neck. Maybe I am giving myself more credit that I deserve, but I am fairly certain that I could talk him out of the DS if I wanted to. Will he genuinely flip for it in another year, when he can really understand the concept of wanting it??

Or, should I just stop obsessing and questioning it, and just give him the darn toy this year??

So, I am turning to you. What are your thoughts? Do you kids have one? How old were they when they got one? Those with video-games-are-not-suitable-for-kids mentality need not comment (sorry! Not trying to be rude. I’m just not looking for that sort of advice…)