I did most of my Christmas shopping yesterday, hoping it would put me in a holiday kind of mood, but instead I just feel relieved to have gotten it over with, and bad about the way in which I went about it. Usually I try to put a lot of thought into what to get each person on my list, and get obsessed with getting just the right gift. This year, with a few exceptions, I just picked out a stock gift for all of the female adults on my list, and another for each male, and basically got everybody the same thing. I just couldn't be bothered to think about it. Just like I couldn't be bothered to put up the tree or any other decorations this year. Christmas this year feels much less like something to anticipate and more like something to just get through. I'll be glad when it's over.

I partially blame the stores for this feeling, for trotting out their Christmas displays this year no later than August. By the time we actually reached the holiday season I'd already had my fill of all things Christmassy. I feel like Charlie Brown did before the gang perked up his pathetic little tree and showed him they understood the true meaning of Christmas. Hey, that's on tonight, innit? Maybe that will help to get me in the mood.