It’s not even Thanksgiving yet, but walking through the aisles of any supermarket, I am alerted to Christmas’ near presence by the abundance of displays filled with Santa Claus, advent calendars, stockings, and tree ornaments. Alright, most people aren’t expats, so they don’t celebrate Thanksgiving over here anyway. But I’m sure even over there in the U.S., aisles are filled with Christmas stuff. And Thanksgiving stuff. And probably bargain priced Halloween stuff that didn’t sell out in time.
Daniel and Hannah on Christmas morning last year.
Last year I left my Christmas shopping until the last minute and had to go out two days before Christmas and brave the crazy Christmas shopping drivers. Seriously, stuff gets wild that close to Christmas.
This year, I have a new plan. I’m going to shop online – starting at Quicksales. I’ve already ordered some of Daniel’s beloved Thomas the Tank engine characters. That way, I don’t have to take the kids shopping with me, ruining their surprise on Christmas morning, I don’t have to buy everything all at once (which is good for the budget, obviously), and I don’t deal with crazy Christmas drivers.
For their main present, the kids (and I…) are getting a puppy. I’ve researched the best breeds for kids, and I’m getting very excited. I grew up surrounded by animals, so it seems natural to me. We were thinking about getting a cat, but settled on a small dog because they are less likely to scratch and bite when you pull their tail or annoy them. Kind of important when you have a two year old and a four year old. Even puppies I can shop for online (crazy, right? But breeders have websites, and since we want a particular kind of dog, that’s the way to go), from the comfort of my own home, while the kids are sleeping and won’t have any idea what their present will be.
I can’t wait to see the look on their faces when they come out of their room on Christmas morning and see a puppy with a bow tied around her collar. This is the first year that Daniel is old enough to understand what’s going on at Christmas time, so I’m even more excited about Christmas this year. Plus this is the first year we will be waking up to Christmas morning in our own house. Hannah is going to be so excited about the puppy, but I wonder which Daniel will be more excited about, the puppy, or more Thomas trains. He does love Thomas trains….
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Copyright 2013 Sheri Thomson
Mommy Adventures 
Amazing! I remember my mom got me a puppy when I was 6. I remember to this day how happy I was.. this is not a toy you forget after few times playing, it is a friend that is going to stay with you for a decade..
🙂 What a lovely story. I hope my kids feel the same. I want them to be able to grow up with their puppy friend and have lots and lots of fun with her. Plus, studies have shown that dogs increase human quality of life and that people who own dogs live longer. Bonus!
Cute baby ;**
The kids are going to love that puppy! You definitely have the right plan for Christmas shopping!
I’m excited to get a puppy too! I’m just nervous about the potty training thing. I hope potty training a dog is not as hard as potty training a child!!!
We have two dogs and our small one was kind of hard to potty train while the bigger dog was super easy! good luck!
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I love shopping online. I hate the crowds that come with the holidays
It’s never too early to start shopping for gifts and the Christmas crowd can really be overwhelming. I’m sure your kids will enjoy their new puppy and it’s also a great way to teach them about responsibility!