Now that Halloween is out of the way (well, I started seeing decorations weeks *before* Halloween) … Christmas is in the air.

Remember when we used to wait until after Thanksgiving before rolling out the red carpet for Santa?

When did candy canes start hitting the supermarket aisles before daylight saving time ends?

I’m going to be visiting my in-laws this weekend. Even though we’re only staying for two nights, we’ll be bringing two carry-on suitcases so we will have room to pack all of the Christmas presents my mother-in-law has purchased so far (of course we’ll be good and wait until Christmas). I’m sure she actually bought most of our “stocking stuffers” prior to Christmas last year.

I, on the other hand, have not yet started shopping this year, and I only have a couple of candles I picked up on clearance last year that will be given to aunts/cousins/etc. Everyone exchanges presents with everyone, the family is very close. Too many people to buy for, so I pick up presents as I see them!

Since I know mom-in-law’s got Christmas on the brain, I’ve been struggling to add items to my amazon.com wishlist so I don’t hold up her shopping. Lately, these wishlists have been a good way get our families to buy us things we like, rather than acrylic sweaters with reindeer on them.

When we were children, the JC Penney holiday wishbook would come out, and we’d spend hours going through the toy section, writing our letters to Santa.

Nowadays, whenever I want something, I usually buy it!

Fortunately, I don’t have expensive taste so my income can accommodate my shopping sprees. I’m a smart shopper — nearly everything in my closet cost less than $40; probably a good percentage is actually under $25. (Ann Taylor LOFT sale rack, here I come …)

But when it comes to figuring out my Christmas list, there usually isn’t much on it. My husband hates that I never hint at anything, but truthfully, there usually isn’t anything that I want!

Though, I am pretty cheap when it comes to spending money on myself (see sale rack, above).

Maybe someone will buy me those $14 running socks …