Friday Fiver: Shop...until you drop.

[kyrielle]

fridayfiver

1. What type of shopper are you?

Hmmm. Mostly lazy. Lackadaisical. Semi-planned. I don't mind picking up something I didn't plan to get, if I have a use for it, as long as it doesn't cost too much. I kind of like shopping. But on the "busiest shopping day of the year" I am at home with the space heater on and a good book - no way I could bring myself to face that chaos. I like going out, getting things, I like acquiring things, I like seeing what's out there. I don't like getting trampled to death for a five-cent "bargain". Or even a five-dollar bargain.

2. Have you ever gone out of your way to get a deal?

Hmm. No, not really. I have made a point of stopping where I knew there was a sale on something I wanted anyway, but only if it was convenient. Fry's ads. But they're within 5 minutes of my house. Not very out of my way and no special effort involved. If I go in and the line leaves its holder and crosses the entire freaking store, I leave again. I don't care what the deal is. (Okay, I might brave that line if I were saving several hundred or a thousand dollars on things I truly needed. This has never come up yet.)

3. Do you do your holiday shopping early, or do you procrastinate?

I don't do a lot of holiday shopping. I suck at figuring out gifts for people and I'm self-conscious about it being required. But, when I do? I do it early and I procrastinate. If I see something I think someone would like, I'll probably grab it. But other than that...I always lose track of time and suddenly the holidays are there and I wasn't ready. Though I got cards this year! (Anyone want one?)

4. What's the best gift you've ever received?

I hate these questions. They require a better memory than I have, by far. I'm tempted ot answer this with memories of holidays spent with my parents - not the presents under the tree, though those were incredibly good some years - but the tree, all ornaments and lights; the Christmas music; the food; the sense of good cheer. I don't treasure that enough to make it, myself, and yet it's a wonderful and bright memory.

5. What's the best gift you've ever given?

Sadly, I have no idea on this one, either. It would have to be answered by the people I've given gifts to. I've given money, before, when someone had need; I have given words, and things I hoped they'd like, and only wishes for a good holiday. But the best? That's not something I can judge. Nothing you give is ever equal to the task of conveying what someone means to you, anyway.