There's no Partridge in this Pear Tree...

On the first day of Christmas, the company gave to me...a transfer to VPDC.  Doesn't it have a nice ring to it?  In the new year, I am the proud owner of a day shift supervisory position in our parcel hub.  Coincidentally, the parcel hub is 10 minutes from my home.  Do you know what this means?  Do you?  Do you?  It means no more hour and a half commutes to work, it means no more working through the night when normal people are sleeping.  It means having a (dramatic pause) life!  Well, to be accurate, as much of a life as I make for myself...but at least I'll have a normal schedule.  This is the first time, basically in my career, where I'll be working a normal 9-5 (or 7:45-3:45).  No more shift work, no more!  Take that, shift work, I say.

I think the most rewarding thing about being a supervisor is having some one else do all the work, while I get all the credit.  Wow.  I can't even say that tongue in cheek without feeling absolutely horrible.  It's not true.  It's funny, but it's not true.  It just happened to be a fabulous segue into this....

I've done all your Christmas Shopping research for you.  I've done the work, you reap the rewards.  Christmas has never been so easy, folks.  Be sure to leave your tips for a stress-less Christmas.  We can all be stress-free and merry (and even a little tipsy if we want, because we don't have to drive anywhere...)

1.  www.canadapost.ca/shopper is probably one of the most helpful Christmas shopping tools I have ever stumbled upon.  Again, I'm really not one to toot my company horn, but if you've ever needed to find oh, I don't know...a telescope for your six year old son who has forgotten he really, really, really wants one, maybe...this is the place for you.  It comparison shops at 100's of shops (on-line and in store) for the best deal, breaks it down by price, shipping, and in stock availability.  It's better than any search engine I've used, because it breaks it down in Canadian Funds.  I bought Q's telescope through there, and it was delivered to my house within three days.  It was also the cheapest (with shipping included) that I had seen.  I mean, Q is six.  And he still doesn't even remember that he wants one, so I'm not going to spend the earth on it.  But there is no use in it being crappy either, because then he really won't like it.  Plus, right now they've got a promotion on (because it's a new service) where you can win $2500.00.  Who's not up for that?  If you try it, say I sent you.  They'll have no idea who you're talking about.  Seriously, they won't.  But it would be super funny.

2.  What do you buy the person who has everything?  I know you think I'm going to say a *gift card* but you are so wrong...what a cop-out (unless you're buying for me and then, YAY!  I love gift cards...nothing says "I love you" like, "Here, go shopping.  It's on me!")  But I buy them box sets of DVD's.  My brother, who coincidentally does not have everything, quite the opposite...and yet he's still so hard to buy for, loves movies and such - so I got him the box set of HBO's Band of Brothers.  I haven't actually watched it, because it's all war and stuff, but I've heard it's really good.  http://www.amazon.ca/ is great for books and movies, because it comparison shops for you too.  New and used items, shipped through UPS within two business days.  Or how 'bout trying Barnes and Noble (ahem...to the right, nudge, nudge....)  I've heard they offer FREE SHIPPING!!

Have you noticed I haven't even gone into a store yet?  No pushy crowds, no fighting for the last size XXL sweater for great aunt Martha. 

3.  Also for the person who has everything (or nothing):  a Magazine subscription.  It's the gift that keeps on giving, really.  I love magazines.  I have a little affair with each new one I buy.  First I look at the pictures (from back to front), then read the articles (in order of interest) and then start from the beginning just in case I miss something.  How can this not be the best idea ever?  There is a magazine for everything and everybody.  Do you love horses?  They have "Horse Illustrated" just for you!  Crazy about cooking, and you're a vegetarian?  How about "Vegetarian Times Magazine"  FYI:  I've linked these magazines just so you know I'm not making up the titles.  Who knew, right?  Not me!  You don't have to set foot in a mall, and they get a nice little reminder of you, once a month for the next year.  What could be better?

4.  I am crazy about this next idea.  So often we get caught up in stuff...all the things at Christmas.  We forget those less fortunate than us.  Or we want to give, but don't know how.  This is the *how*...Through http://www.worldvision.org/ you can buy a family in a developing nation an animal.  Two goats can create a viable business for a family in a third world country.  Can you even imagine that?  One goat, for $75, can produce 16 cups of milk per day.  But it doesn't stop there.  There are choices!  You can buy ducks or chicks or sheep or even shares in a well for their community.  And you can donate it all in someone else's name.  How awesome is that?  For Christmas, I bought you a well in India.  Enjoy!

There are four very helpful suggestions...you're welcome very much.  If you've noticed, not one of them requires you to step foot out your front door, spend over $100.00, or talk to a human in any part of the process. 

What could be better than that? 

What are your ideas?

No. 

Seriously...

...what are your ideas?

I'm still not even close to being done...

Did you all notice how I could totally get a job as a late night host for the slap chop infomercials?  I think I'm a natural... And if you call within the next 5 minutes, I'll throw in an additional....