Living in Noblesville, relatively isolated from our trusted family, along with a schedule that leaves us little open time, we've taken to doing our Christmas shopping this year guerrilla style, one at a time, at odd hours, and have taken advantage of the technology at our fingertips.
Of course we've done some shopping online, but that's not exactly what I'm talking about (and there's still nothing like the tactile sensation of loading a shopping cart with presents). For instance, last night a late-evening trip to Wal-Mart for bottle inserts turned into an impromptu gift-buying excursion.
Crystal was at home with the kids, who were asleep at 10:30 when I left, and while we have something of an idea of what we want for our munchkins, of course there is still some element of spontenaeity to gift giving.
My chief tool (other than my trusty PayPal card, loaded with cash specifically set aside for Christmas shopping) was my new cell phone. I was able to check my PayPal balance, which was handy, but of course I really took advantage by texting Crystal ideas with photographic accompanyment.
We were able to pick out a few things for Mason, and I could get real-time input, where she was able to see what I bought and offer feedback.
And she even got to share in some of my signature snarky asides, specifically that a I saw a doll that looked exactly like one of Crystal's friend's daughter, and the fact that being in the "Christmas patio" (actually the repurposed lawn and garden center) is awfully creepy to be at 11 p.m., alone, with an army of dolls staring at you with their dead glass eyes, waiting to blurt out their evil baby talk at random intervals.
All in all, it was almost as fun and adventrous as shopping with the wife, and in some ways moreso.
Do I still wish we had a few hours to get some shopping done ourselves? Absolutely.
But these Christmas memories spend just the same as any other.
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