Merry Christmas or not?

[Jersey Girl]

I don't know about anyone else here but my holiday shopping usually starts in summer and bit by little bit, it's done by now. And it is done now. I don't place a huge emphasis on material things but I do like a good holiday splurge for my people. Mostly creature comfort type stuff. Probably because we can use a lot of comfort here for the next 6 freezing cold months.* Also food, games, and whatnot. As I think of it now, it's really all about the cabin fever* and self indulging our collective selves through it.

Anyway...I just got done watching this 60 minutes piece about the supply chain.

I'll be darned if I can figure out where to point the finger because it looks like everyone involved is pointing fingers at the other guy. What a freaking mess. Apparently foreign ports are better than ours, China is getting a new billion dollar (or more?) port, people are saying automation is the way to go, some are saying it's because our ports are state owned and our infrastructure totally sucks, truckers are getting tired of taking the blame because it's not their fault. On the upside, you do get to watch a pilot dock a barge which is pretty cool.

I hope you all have whatever shopping you're going to do...done by now. If not, maybe go for experiences and spending time with each other. We try to so long as we can navigate the driveway and sometimes (See how weather obsessed I'm starting to get already? Not a good sign. If you haven't done it yet, best to put me on ignore in mid-January.*) we have to spend long periods of time apart.

As one person said in the comments section, if all of this stuff is backed up through the holidays maybe we can plan on good sales in January?

Here's the link. Good luck figuring this all out. I don't have much else to say except that I don't know what's going to set all the stuff free. Maybe you guys do?

What's caused America's supply chain crunch?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7jSsyQKIfE

*Note. These are bad signs. Really, really, bad signs. Don't say you weren't warned.

[Some Schmo]

My wife and I don't buy a whole lot of gifts for Xmas (or birthdays, or any other special occasions), primarily because when we want or need something, we just get it. Buying gifts is wasteful to us, because we'd be doing it just to fulfill an obligation, and not because the recipient wants or needs it.

For the last several years, my wife and I have been taking short vacations for special occasions. The memory is far more valuable to us than the junk we'd likely throw away in 6 months.

But yeah, the supply chain thing... it's brutal. We ordered some furniture Labor Day weekend and apparently, it's not coming until January.

I blame Trump.

[Jersey Girl]

My wife and I don't buy a whole lot of gifts for Xmas (or birthdays, or any other special occasions), primarily because when we want or need something, we just get it. Buying gifts is wasteful to us, because we'd be doing it just to fulfill an obligation, and not because the recipient wants or needs it.

For the last several years, my wife and I have been taking short vacations for special occasions. The memory is far more valuable to us than the junk we'd likely throw away in 6 months.

But yeah, the supply chain thing... it's brutal. We ordered some furniture Labor Day weekend and apparently, it's not coming until January.

I blame Trump.

I would love to take a trip for special occasions but we really can't do that which is why I travel with other family members. Anyway, our immediate tribe is around here so we gather. And we are like you and your wife, if we want something we get it.

I forgot about the furniture thing. Back in summer I recall window shopping on the La-Z-Boy website with the hopes of giving the great room a refresh. It started with the idea of replacing a certain recliner. So apparently each piece (sofas,chairs, upholstered at least) is made to order with whatever coverings and all that jazz and I DO recall that the furniture ordered in summer wouldn't have been delivered until 2022 so I gave up on the idea. Well...and then I wanted to have the room painted (one thing leads to the next thing) and with Covid...nope still haven't done it.

Whatever. We're all still alive and well, got a roof over our heads, and that's what counts.

I did gift us a new Christmas tree for winter. After C'mas I re-decorate for the long winter using a different tree and pretend I live in a ski lodge--I'm not joking here. That's the only thing standing between me and total insanity by February. I had last year's winter tree up until early May.

[Some Schmo]

I would love to take a trip for special occasions but we really can't do that which is why I travel with other family members. Anyway, our immediate tribe is around here so we gather. And we are like you and your wife, if we want something we get it.

...

Whatever. We're all still alive and well, got a roof over our heads, and that's what counts.

Exactly how I feel. Time with the people you love is all that really matters.

I forgot about the furniture thing. Back in summer I recall window shopping on the La-Z-Boy website with the hopes of giving the great room a refresh. It started with the idea of replacing a certain recliner. So apparently each piece (sofas,chairs, upholstered at least) is made to order with whatever coverings and all that jazz and I DO recall that the furniture ordered in summer wouldn't have been delivered until 2022 so I gave up on the idea. Well...and then I wanted to have the room painted (one thing leads to the next thing) and with Covid...nope still haven't done it.

It's insane right now. I don't blame you for waiting. The only reason we ordered stuff is because we recently moved and gave most of our stuff away first.

I did gift us a new Christmas tree for winter. After C'mas I re-decorate for the long winter using a different tree and pretend I live in a ski lodge--I'm not joking here. That's the only thing standing between me and total insanity by February. I had last year's winter tree up until early May.

Heh... I'll give my wife credit - she does not leave seasonal decorations up very long at all. The Christmas decorations are never up in January. She's pretty OCD when it comes to tidiness. It's one of my favorite quirks of hers.

I do like the tree, though.

[Jersey Girl]

I did gift us a new Christmas tree for winter. After C'mas I re-decorate for the long winter using a different tree and pretend I live in a ski lodge--I'm not joking here. That's the only thing standing between me and total insanity by February. I had last year's winter tree up until early May.

Heh... I'll give my wife credit - she does not leave seasonal decorations up very long at all. The Christmas decorations are never up in January. She's pretty OCD when it comes to tidiness. It's one of my favorite quirks of hers.

I do like the tree, though.

Are you insinuating that my ski lodge vibe is untidy?

[Some Schmo]

Are you insinuating that my ski lodge vibe is untidy?

Not at all. I suspect it's very homey.

I consider my wife abnormally clean, way more tidy than I am, and I'm not a slob.