1 00:00:02,720 --> 00:00:05,880 Speaker 1: Hi. This is Laura Vandercamp. I'm a mother of five, 2 00:00:06,160 --> 00:00:10,240 Speaker 1: an author, journalist, and speaker. And this is Sarah hart Unger. 3 00:00:10,480 --> 00:00:13,480 Speaker 1: I'm a mother of three, a practicing physician and blogger. 4 00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:15,800 Speaker 1: On the side, we are two working parents who love 5 00:00:15,840 --> 00:00:19,320 Speaker 1: our careers and our families. Welcome to best of both worlds. 6 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:22,400 Speaker 1: Here we talk about how real women manage work, family, 7 00:00:22,560 --> 00:00:25,800 Speaker 1: and time for fun, from figuring out childcare to mapping 8 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:28,360 Speaker 1: out long term career goals. We want you to get 9 00:00:28,400 --> 00:00:34,080 Speaker 1: the most out of life. Welcome to best of both worlds. 10 00:00:34,240 --> 00:00:37,200 Speaker 1: This is Laura. This is episode two hundred and twenty four, 11 00:00:37,440 --> 00:00:40,320 Speaker 1: which is airing in mid November of twenty twenty one. 12 00:00:40,360 --> 00:00:42,519 Speaker 1: In this episode, we are going to be doing our 13 00:00:42,640 --> 00:00:46,800 Speaker 1: holiday gift guide, things we recommend purchasing, also things you 14 00:00:46,880 --> 00:00:50,000 Speaker 1: might think about asking for for the holidays, and our 15 00:00:50,040 --> 00:00:55,120 Speaker 1: general approach to organization for holiday gift selection and so forth. 16 00:00:55,880 --> 00:00:58,600 Speaker 1: Now you may be thinking holiday shopping season. Isn't this 17 00:00:58,680 --> 00:01:01,000 Speaker 1: a little bit early midnight November? Many of us not 18 00:01:01,080 --> 00:01:04,280 Speaker 1: doing our holiday shopping quite yet at this point, but 19 00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:08,080 Speaker 1: we have been warned to various supply chain issues, and 20 00:01:08,480 --> 00:01:11,240 Speaker 1: it turns out that Honaka also starts rather early this year, 21 00:01:11,440 --> 00:01:14,720 Speaker 1: November twenty eight, so one half of the Best of 22 00:01:14,760 --> 00:01:18,600 Speaker 1: Both Worlds duo has been deep in holiday shopping mode already, 23 00:01:19,080 --> 00:01:21,319 Speaker 1: So we're going to go ahead and air this episode now. 24 00:01:21,880 --> 00:01:24,840 Speaker 1: So Sarah, how is the holiday shopping going for you? 25 00:01:26,440 --> 00:01:31,960 Speaker 1: I mean, I haven't actually started yet deep as much 26 00:01:31,959 --> 00:01:34,800 Speaker 1: as I'm thinking about it. Yes, I am thinking about it. 27 00:01:34,880 --> 00:01:37,520 Speaker 1: I have asked the kids to create some lists for me. 28 00:01:38,080 --> 00:01:40,440 Speaker 1: I've just been asking them to think about what they want. 29 00:01:41,080 --> 00:01:44,520 Speaker 1: I'm not always great actually at procuring gifts ahead of time. 30 00:01:44,720 --> 00:01:47,960 Speaker 1: To be fair, with all my love for planning, one 31 00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:50,160 Speaker 1: would think I might be better at this, but I 32 00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:52,520 Speaker 1: am not. I think part of it is a little 33 00:01:52,520 --> 00:01:55,720 Speaker 1: bit of approach avoidance. As we'll talk about in this episode. 34 00:01:55,880 --> 00:01:59,040 Speaker 1: Buying gifts for kids off of means filling your house 35 00:01:59,080 --> 00:02:01,360 Speaker 1: with a lot of things, which Laura and I feel 36 00:02:01,400 --> 00:02:04,120 Speaker 1: a little bit differently about. But sometimes, as I'm you know, 37 00:02:04,280 --> 00:02:07,560 Speaker 1: still stepping over current toys, it can feel overwhelming to 38 00:02:07,600 --> 00:02:10,799 Speaker 1: be adding more to that pile. And both of us 39 00:02:10,880 --> 00:02:14,800 Speaker 1: are you know, looking forward hopefully to future moves pretty soon. 40 00:02:14,919 --> 00:02:17,320 Speaker 1: So I think that adds insult to injury of wanting 41 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:21,160 Speaker 1: to increase the amount of stuff. Yeah, no, I'm in 42 00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:23,680 Speaker 1: I've definitely been thinking about this year that oh, everything 43 00:02:23,960 --> 00:02:26,280 Speaker 1: that the kids get for Christmas will need to be 44 00:02:26,600 --> 00:02:31,359 Speaker 1: then moved to the new house most likely, And you know, 45 00:02:31,520 --> 00:02:35,120 Speaker 1: it's just adding to the boxes of stuff that we'll 46 00:02:35,160 --> 00:02:37,400 Speaker 1: be doing. And you know, I've been packing up boxes 47 00:02:37,440 --> 00:02:40,680 Speaker 1: of stuff to declutter the rooms and you know, showing 48 00:02:40,720 --> 00:02:43,600 Speaker 1: the house and moving and you know, there's a definite 49 00:02:43,600 --> 00:02:48,240 Speaker 1: thought that there are degrees of clutter with the stuff, right, 50 00:02:48,560 --> 00:02:53,560 Speaker 1: there's degrees of excess, and you know, there's it's fine 51 00:02:53,600 --> 00:02:56,720 Speaker 1: to have some stuff. I mean, you know, I like 52 00:02:56,840 --> 00:02:59,560 Speaker 1: miniature things as much as anyone. If your daughter has 53 00:02:59,639 --> 00:03:01,640 Speaker 1: a dog that you know, the doll is obviously going 54 00:03:01,720 --> 00:03:04,000 Speaker 1: to have accessories. I don't expect there to be only 55 00:03:04,040 --> 00:03:06,960 Speaker 1: one outfit for one doll. And you somehow, you know, 56 00:03:07,120 --> 00:03:09,280 Speaker 1: satisfy yourself with this, like we're in little house on 57 00:03:09,320 --> 00:03:13,959 Speaker 1: the prairie. But on the other hand, probably when one 58 00:03:14,040 --> 00:03:17,919 Speaker 1: asked for, say, scented erasers as a gift one year, 59 00:03:18,520 --> 00:03:21,240 Speaker 1: it would have behooved everybody to find a set of 60 00:03:21,280 --> 00:03:25,560 Speaker 1: like four scented erasers, as opposed to a set of 61 00:03:26,080 --> 00:03:29,280 Speaker 1: like one hundred scented erasers or like a thousand or 62 00:03:29,320 --> 00:03:33,000 Speaker 1: whatever unit it is that Amazon sells these ridiculous things 63 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:36,680 Speaker 1: in that you then find in bits and pieces wedged 64 00:03:36,760 --> 00:03:40,360 Speaker 1: under every bit of furniture in the room. Hypothetically, of course. 65 00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:44,800 Speaker 1: So yes, we're, you know, trying to figure out ways 66 00:03:44,880 --> 00:03:50,280 Speaker 1: to maybe have slightly less numerous of things, even acknowledging 67 00:03:50,280 --> 00:03:53,760 Speaker 1: that with five children there's always just going to be stuff. 68 00:03:53,880 --> 00:03:56,240 Speaker 1: There's there's no way it can be a minimalist paradise 69 00:03:56,280 --> 00:03:59,280 Speaker 1: in this house whatever. But you know, so we're generally 70 00:03:59,320 --> 00:04:01,720 Speaker 1: trying to be thought about it. And one of the 71 00:04:01,760 --> 00:04:04,480 Speaker 1: things I think we want to encourage our listeners to 72 00:04:04,760 --> 00:04:07,920 Speaker 1: do is to be thoughtful about what you want for 73 00:04:07,960 --> 00:04:11,520 Speaker 1: the holidays. People are going to ask you this question. 74 00:04:12,120 --> 00:04:17,280 Speaker 1: Presumably your spouse or partner, extended family members, your children 75 00:04:17,360 --> 00:04:20,240 Speaker 1: even might ask you what you want for the holidays, 76 00:04:20,279 --> 00:04:24,320 Speaker 1: and we often don't have a great answer, and or 77 00:04:24,360 --> 00:04:26,680 Speaker 1: it's just some like oh whatever, or this little thing 78 00:04:26,760 --> 00:04:28,839 Speaker 1: you know you've identified the compent. You get me a scarf, 79 00:04:28,960 --> 00:04:30,720 Speaker 1: which you know you could probably go buy your own 80 00:04:30,760 --> 00:04:33,480 Speaker 1: scarf if you want it. So it's a tough question, 81 00:04:33,760 --> 00:04:37,840 Speaker 1: and you know there's there's various things you can ask for. 82 00:04:38,240 --> 00:04:42,560 Speaker 1: And one thing I suggested in a recent newsletter that 83 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:46,080 Speaker 1: I've gotten a lot of positive feedback about is asking 84 00:04:46,160 --> 00:04:51,080 Speaker 1: for the gift of space. So many people having coming 85 00:04:51,080 --> 00:04:53,320 Speaker 1: out of the last you know, twenty months of pandemic, 86 00:04:53,360 --> 00:04:56,880 Speaker 1: have been just a lot more around our families than 87 00:04:57,400 --> 00:05:00,240 Speaker 1: perhaps at other times, just being available for them sort 88 00:05:00,240 --> 00:05:02,440 Speaker 1: of twenty four to seven, because you're all there in 89 00:05:02,480 --> 00:05:04,279 Speaker 1: a way that might not have been the case in 90 00:05:04,320 --> 00:05:06,840 Speaker 1: the past. And it can be nice in many ways. 91 00:05:06,839 --> 00:05:10,080 Speaker 1: It can also be overwhelming in many ways. And sometimes 92 00:05:10,120 --> 00:05:11,760 Speaker 1: we get burned out with this and think we just 93 00:05:11,800 --> 00:05:14,440 Speaker 1: need to burn everything down. But maybe you don't need 94 00:05:14,440 --> 00:05:16,599 Speaker 1: to burn everything down. Maybe you need to get away 95 00:05:16,800 --> 00:05:18,560 Speaker 1: for a little bit, and it doesn't have to be 96 00:05:18,600 --> 00:05:22,080 Speaker 1: for long. I recently went on my editing retreat for 97 00:05:22,160 --> 00:05:24,680 Speaker 1: two nights in Cape May, and the upside of two 98 00:05:24,760 --> 00:05:27,240 Speaker 1: nights is then you have an entire day in which 99 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:28,800 Speaker 1: you don't have to deal with anything, you don't have 100 00:05:28,839 --> 00:05:30,360 Speaker 1: to travel anywhere, you don't have to deal with other 101 00:05:30,360 --> 00:05:32,920 Speaker 1: people's needs from wake up to night, and then you 102 00:05:33,040 --> 00:05:34,520 Speaker 1: get you know, your next night, and then you leave 103 00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:37,120 Speaker 1: that day. And so it was great, and you know, 104 00:05:37,160 --> 00:05:39,159 Speaker 1: I think for many listeners. It's not so much the 105 00:05:39,160 --> 00:05:41,320 Speaker 1: price of an off season hotel or two nights in 106 00:05:41,320 --> 00:05:43,559 Speaker 1: an airbnb, or even you know, go borrow a friend's 107 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:46,760 Speaker 1: house if they're traveling. It's the logistics of everything else 108 00:05:46,839 --> 00:05:50,160 Speaker 1: in your life. But if you're feeling guilty about asking 109 00:05:50,360 --> 00:05:52,880 Speaker 1: for that, maybe you could ask for it as a 110 00:05:52,880 --> 00:05:55,200 Speaker 1: holiday present, you know, see if the people in your 111 00:05:55,200 --> 00:05:58,400 Speaker 1: life might support your ability to get away for a 112 00:05:58,440 --> 00:06:02,039 Speaker 1: little bit of time. Sarah, you're considering something like this, right, 113 00:06:02,839 --> 00:06:05,240 Speaker 1: I absolutely love this. I mean, to be fair, My 114 00:06:05,320 --> 00:06:08,320 Speaker 1: husband and I took this as our own gift fairly recently. 115 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:10,560 Speaker 1: I agree with you that the two nights is a 116 00:06:10,600 --> 00:06:15,000 Speaker 1: sweet spot because having two mornings to sleep in, having 117 00:06:15,200 --> 00:06:18,080 Speaker 1: two nights where you don't have to worry about getting 118 00:06:18,120 --> 00:06:20,160 Speaker 1: kids up in the morning, and then having a full day. 119 00:06:20,800 --> 00:06:23,000 Speaker 1: It really doesn't have to be that many hours, but 120 00:06:23,040 --> 00:06:26,640 Speaker 1: it can be incredibly rejuvenating. And so I don't know 121 00:06:26,680 --> 00:06:28,600 Speaker 1: if I was asked, you know, if I wanted to 122 00:06:28,640 --> 00:06:29,960 Speaker 1: do something like this, would I want to do it 123 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:32,279 Speaker 1: with myself or my husband? Either way I think would 124 00:06:32,320 --> 00:06:35,800 Speaker 1: be wonderful. And I do agree that midweek can be 125 00:06:35,960 --> 00:06:38,640 Speaker 1: a great time to do this because if you can 126 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:42,360 Speaker 1: swing the childcare, then you might miss out on less. 127 00:06:42,440 --> 00:06:44,640 Speaker 1: You know, with your kids, you're not giving away a 128 00:06:44,680 --> 00:06:47,520 Speaker 1: weekend time with them, They're just going about their daily routine. 129 00:06:47,800 --> 00:06:49,520 Speaker 1: And if you can find a partner in crime to 130 00:06:49,560 --> 00:06:53,240 Speaker 1: help you kind of make the usual stuff happen, whether 131 00:06:53,279 --> 00:06:55,240 Speaker 1: that is a nanny, a family member, or just your 132 00:06:55,279 --> 00:06:58,360 Speaker 1: partner being able to pick up the slack, I think 133 00:06:58,360 --> 00:06:59,920 Speaker 1: it can be a little bit less of an ask 134 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:01,880 Speaker 1: if you're just going to be like Wednesday to Friday, 135 00:07:01,920 --> 00:07:05,320 Speaker 1: for example. Yeah, definitely true. Sometimes during the week is 136 00:07:05,360 --> 00:07:08,359 Speaker 1: easier because you have often the support system in place 137 00:07:08,440 --> 00:07:10,920 Speaker 1: for you know, what would your normal coverage be for 138 00:07:11,040 --> 00:07:13,840 Speaker 1: your children during this time. And yeah, you know, going 139 00:07:13,880 --> 00:07:16,400 Speaker 1: solo is great. If you did want to take your 140 00:07:16,480 --> 00:07:18,840 Speaker 1: your partner with you, then obviously you would need to 141 00:07:19,080 --> 00:07:23,240 Speaker 1: have ask this as a gift from extended family for instance, 142 00:07:23,720 --> 00:07:27,440 Speaker 1: that you know, if you have grandparents or you know, 143 00:07:27,520 --> 00:07:31,640 Speaker 1: even you could swap off with cousins, you know, aunts, uncles, 144 00:07:31,680 --> 00:07:34,280 Speaker 1: that sort of thing that you might offer to move 145 00:07:34,280 --> 00:07:36,160 Speaker 1: into their house for a day or something they can 146 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:38,480 Speaker 1: move into your house for a day. Whatever might work. 147 00:07:39,080 --> 00:07:42,000 Speaker 1: But it's just something like this would be a lot 148 00:07:42,120 --> 00:07:45,360 Speaker 1: more exciting for many of us than say the scarf 149 00:07:45,400 --> 00:07:48,720 Speaker 1: that you can purchase for yourself. So just as an 150 00:07:48,720 --> 00:07:52,440 Speaker 1: idea of something that might be, you know, make you 151 00:07:52,480 --> 00:07:55,680 Speaker 1: feel excited on you know, Christmas morning or you know 152 00:07:55,720 --> 00:08:01,000 Speaker 1: whatever night of morning you a good morning, then consider 153 00:08:01,120 --> 00:08:06,200 Speaker 1: something like that so you know we're going to you know, 154 00:08:06,240 --> 00:08:08,760 Speaker 1: I may ask for it again. Well, the editing retreating 155 00:08:08,920 --> 00:08:11,040 Speaker 1: is for work. I mean, I guess going away for 156 00:08:11,120 --> 00:08:14,560 Speaker 1: work is slightly different. But you know, maybe just going 157 00:08:14,600 --> 00:08:16,960 Speaker 1: away just for fun, well I don't have a work reason, 158 00:08:17,360 --> 00:08:20,320 Speaker 1: could be fun. I've given Michael like a weekend a 159 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:22,400 Speaker 1: way to go skiing with his brother, so maybe we can. 160 00:08:22,960 --> 00:08:24,840 Speaker 1: You know, you could give people something for years and 161 00:08:24,880 --> 00:08:27,240 Speaker 1: they don't necessarily think to give it to you as well. 162 00:08:29,920 --> 00:08:32,000 Speaker 1: Be like, remember the thing we always do, Well, now 163 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:38,160 Speaker 1: it's going to be a swap exactly. So pivoting from 164 00:08:38,280 --> 00:08:43,800 Speaker 1: that to the wise Woman's approach to gift shopping. It 165 00:08:43,840 --> 00:08:46,120 Speaker 1: may be by the time you're reading some of these 166 00:08:46,160 --> 00:08:49,200 Speaker 1: tips are probably coming a little late in the you know, 167 00:08:49,320 --> 00:08:51,920 Speaker 1: calendar year to be thinking about this. But one thing 168 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:54,360 Speaker 1: I've found helpful is, you know, as you're setting up 169 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:58,640 Speaker 1: your twenty twenty two planner, because I'm sure big chunks 170 00:08:58,679 --> 00:09:01,440 Speaker 1: of our listenership, especially the who listen to Sarah's podcast 171 00:09:01,520 --> 00:09:04,480 Speaker 1: to Best Laid Plans, have put a lot of thought 172 00:09:04,520 --> 00:09:07,520 Speaker 1: into getting that twenty twenty two perfect planner. At this point, 173 00:09:07,760 --> 00:09:11,040 Speaker 1: use one of your notes pages to make a list 174 00:09:11,520 --> 00:09:15,280 Speaker 1: for holiday season next year, right that is, holiday twenty 175 00:09:15,360 --> 00:09:18,600 Speaker 1: twenty two. And in the course of the year, when 176 00:09:18,640 --> 00:09:24,360 Speaker 1: people mention something that they would like or offhand say oh, 177 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:26,880 Speaker 1: that's really cool, or you know, oh, I've never done 178 00:09:26,960 --> 00:09:30,080 Speaker 1: that before, you can make a note by their name 179 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:33,679 Speaker 1: on that list in the notes section. And then when 180 00:09:33,760 --> 00:09:37,040 Speaker 1: you get to November of twenty twenty two, you already 181 00:09:37,080 --> 00:09:39,640 Speaker 1: have a good start on a shopping list of things 182 00:09:39,640 --> 00:09:42,920 Speaker 1: you can then start start executing on Sarah, do you 183 00:09:42,920 --> 00:09:44,640 Speaker 1: think ahead of time on that you were saying you 184 00:09:44,640 --> 00:09:46,760 Speaker 1: don't really so much? I feel like I really would 185 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:50,480 Speaker 1: like too. I probably would even do it, even though 186 00:09:50,520 --> 00:09:52,920 Speaker 1: you know I love paper. I think the perfect place 187 00:09:52,960 --> 00:09:55,400 Speaker 1: to house something like this would be my Apple Notes app, 188 00:09:55,440 --> 00:09:57,880 Speaker 1: because it's always available and I could actually just cut 189 00:09:57,920 --> 00:10:00,960 Speaker 1: and paste lengths if it's online shopping, and to be 190 00:10:01,080 --> 00:10:04,920 Speaker 1: completely fair, I do much more of my shopping online 191 00:10:04,960 --> 00:10:08,640 Speaker 1: these days. Than in person, although I am trying to 192 00:10:08,640 --> 00:10:12,560 Speaker 1: make a move consciously away from certain, you know, large 193 00:10:12,600 --> 00:10:16,040 Speaker 1: companies that have sucked up everything else. However, there's lots 194 00:10:16,080 --> 00:10:19,280 Speaker 1: of online shopping you can do direct from brands themselves 195 00:10:19,280 --> 00:10:22,440 Speaker 1: that are not themselves large company. Sometimes you actually I've 196 00:10:22,480 --> 00:10:24,480 Speaker 1: noticed this is a hack I learned from my husband, 197 00:10:24,520 --> 00:10:27,960 Speaker 1: and we're digressing a lot. But like, let's give an 198 00:10:27,960 --> 00:10:31,320 Speaker 1: example of Clean Canteen water bottles. Okay, you can buy 199 00:10:31,320 --> 00:10:34,080 Speaker 1: them at a big retailer named A. You can also 200 00:10:34,120 --> 00:10:36,440 Speaker 1: go to the Clean Canteen website, where you're likely to 201 00:10:36,440 --> 00:10:40,160 Speaker 1: find a broader selection, like basically everything they've ever offered, 202 00:10:40,280 --> 00:10:42,320 Speaker 1: and when you order it from them, it might not 203 00:10:42,360 --> 00:10:45,120 Speaker 1: come quite as fast, but it comes reasonably fast, and 204 00:10:45,480 --> 00:10:47,520 Speaker 1: since you know it came directly from the manufacture, if 205 00:10:47,520 --> 00:10:49,960 Speaker 1: you have an issue, it's probably more likely to be addressed. 206 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:52,840 Speaker 1: So I still plan on doing my holiday shopping mostly online, 207 00:10:53,160 --> 00:10:57,480 Speaker 1: just not necessarily, like you know, from one place. They 208 00:10:57,480 --> 00:11:01,720 Speaker 1: do make it very easy, though, there is that although 209 00:11:01,720 --> 00:11:03,959 Speaker 1: we do a lot of our shopping also at Target. 210 00:11:04,040 --> 00:11:06,319 Speaker 1: Not saying that they're anymore, you know, I mean, there's 211 00:11:06,360 --> 00:11:08,920 Speaker 1: still a huge company, so it's not like it's supporting 212 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:10,439 Speaker 1: small business, but we wind up doing a lot of 213 00:11:10,440 --> 00:11:13,640 Speaker 1: the shopping there as well, and Walmart too, So who 214 00:11:13,720 --> 00:11:15,400 Speaker 1: knew that they would suddenly be the good guy in 215 00:11:15,440 --> 00:11:19,160 Speaker 1: all this. But I've picked up a few things already 216 00:11:19,440 --> 00:11:21,520 Speaker 1: in the course of the year, like if you know 217 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:24,439 Speaker 1: you have that mindset, and if you have some space 218 00:11:24,960 --> 00:11:27,200 Speaker 1: in your house, so we have a gift closet where 219 00:11:27,320 --> 00:11:29,080 Speaker 1: you know, I tend to have stuff. So if I 220 00:11:29,080 --> 00:11:32,680 Speaker 1: ever have a birthday party invite that we suddenly need 221 00:11:32,840 --> 00:11:35,839 Speaker 1: a president for let's say a seven year old, well 222 00:11:35,880 --> 00:11:38,280 Speaker 1: we probably have at least one thing in there that 223 00:11:38,320 --> 00:11:41,080 Speaker 1: could function as a reasonable president for a seven year old. 224 00:11:41,640 --> 00:11:44,400 Speaker 1: And I picked up a few things in the course 225 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:45,480 Speaker 1: of the year as I saw them and say, oh, 226 00:11:45,559 --> 00:11:47,200 Speaker 1: that would be a really good present for one of 227 00:11:47,200 --> 00:11:49,840 Speaker 1: my kids. Again, key thing, though, you got to keep 228 00:11:49,880 --> 00:11:53,480 Speaker 1: that note that exists on your inventory list, in the 229 00:11:53,520 --> 00:11:57,280 Speaker 1: notes in the planner, because otherwise you are then shopping 230 00:11:57,280 --> 00:11:58,880 Speaker 1: and then go into the gift closet and you're like, 231 00:11:58,920 --> 00:12:01,760 Speaker 1: oh wait, I got that for so and so back 232 00:12:01,800 --> 00:12:07,840 Speaker 1: in June and totally you know, left my mental active sphere. 233 00:12:08,640 --> 00:12:11,800 Speaker 1: So yeah, that's you know, one way to sort of 234 00:12:11,840 --> 00:12:14,400 Speaker 1: start thinking about it, you know, and then for the 235 00:12:14,440 --> 00:12:17,520 Speaker 1: current holiday season, it's also probably a good idea to 236 00:12:18,640 --> 00:12:21,760 Speaker 1: make another list then once you are in the active 237 00:12:22,160 --> 00:12:25,800 Speaker 1: shopping mode, so that this can help you keep track 238 00:12:25,840 --> 00:12:28,200 Speaker 1: of what it has been purchased, what still needs to 239 00:12:28,200 --> 00:12:30,800 Speaker 1: be purchased or made, or whatever it is you're doing. 240 00:12:31,280 --> 00:12:35,800 Speaker 1: And to ensure a certain level of equity between children. 241 00:12:36,640 --> 00:12:40,280 Speaker 1: So equity not necessarily meaning the same dollar amount, though 242 00:12:40,800 --> 00:12:43,000 Speaker 1: some families do that. I know that when my husband 243 00:12:43,040 --> 00:12:45,320 Speaker 1: was growing up, that's what his parents did, Like they 244 00:12:45,360 --> 00:12:47,679 Speaker 1: would spend the exact same amount, so they would actually 245 00:12:47,679 --> 00:12:51,240 Speaker 1: even like give the kid like twenty three dollars if 246 00:12:51,280 --> 00:12:57,840 Speaker 1: they were under as a present. But to me, it 247 00:12:57,920 --> 00:13:01,959 Speaker 1: more means that everyone's going to be equally happy, yes, 248 00:13:02,240 --> 00:13:06,080 Speaker 1: and part of that is also an equal number. So 249 00:13:06,200 --> 00:13:09,040 Speaker 1: even if you are giving one child a very expensive present, 250 00:13:09,559 --> 00:13:13,280 Speaker 1: it is helpful to, you know, have a couple very 251 00:13:13,360 --> 00:13:16,640 Speaker 1: cheap things that are then also wrapped up so that 252 00:13:17,000 --> 00:13:18,840 Speaker 1: it's not like they open one thing and their siblings 253 00:13:18,840 --> 00:13:21,360 Speaker 1: are opening five and then they feel sort of left out, 254 00:13:21,400 --> 00:13:24,040 Speaker 1: even if they may know rationally that there's cost more 255 00:13:24,200 --> 00:13:28,600 Speaker 1: than the others. So you know, that's that's what we're doing. Yeah, 256 00:13:28,679 --> 00:13:30,800 Speaker 1: we have to do equity, as in like certain gifts 257 00:13:30,880 --> 00:13:33,880 Speaker 1: may not be quite as popular or thrillings, such as 258 00:13:33,920 --> 00:13:37,319 Speaker 1: we always have a book night for Hanukah. It would 259 00:13:37,320 --> 00:13:40,079 Speaker 1: not go well if, like, you know, two kids got 260 00:13:40,080 --> 00:13:43,040 Speaker 1: a book and the other kid got some plastic monstrosity, 261 00:13:43,120 --> 00:13:46,280 Speaker 1: so we try to keep it fairly consistent for each night. 262 00:13:46,320 --> 00:13:49,760 Speaker 1: I guess that's the Hanukah equivalent exactly. Well, let's take 263 00:13:49,760 --> 00:13:51,160 Speaker 1: a quick break and then we'll be back with a 264 00:13:51,160 --> 00:13:59,720 Speaker 1: few more thoughts on organization for the holidays. So we 265 00:13:59,760 --> 00:14:03,200 Speaker 1: are back with our holiday gift guide, talking about what 266 00:14:03,559 --> 00:14:06,960 Speaker 1: things we recommend and also our general approach to purchasing 267 00:14:07,120 --> 00:14:11,400 Speaker 1: and selecting and organizing gifts for the holidays. One thing 268 00:14:11,480 --> 00:14:13,600 Speaker 1: I've sort of learned over the years is that it's 269 00:14:13,640 --> 00:14:15,480 Speaker 1: really cool if there are at least a few toys 270 00:14:15,520 --> 00:14:19,800 Speaker 1: that can be played with immediately. One of the cool 271 00:14:19,920 --> 00:14:23,720 Speaker 1: parts of you know, opening having stuff under the tree 272 00:14:23,760 --> 00:14:26,320 Speaker 1: and opening it is then having that time when you 273 00:14:26,360 --> 00:14:30,080 Speaker 1: are playing and everyone's all together and enjoying their gifts. 274 00:14:30,160 --> 00:14:33,000 Speaker 1: And even big kids like most of their stuff can't 275 00:14:33,040 --> 00:14:35,520 Speaker 1: actually be done immediately right there, but they it's good 276 00:14:35,520 --> 00:14:37,120 Speaker 1: to have at least one thing that they could do. 277 00:14:37,760 --> 00:14:39,760 Speaker 1: Even even if that's like a family gift, that they 278 00:14:39,760 --> 00:14:42,960 Speaker 1: could all do it together, it's just part of the 279 00:14:43,600 --> 00:14:46,640 Speaker 1: holiday fun thing whereas everything is delayed. I mean, yes, 280 00:14:46,680 --> 00:14:49,680 Speaker 1: they are going to enjoy doing it later, but they 281 00:14:49,720 --> 00:14:52,960 Speaker 1: want to have some holiday fun in the morning as well. 282 00:14:53,960 --> 00:14:55,480 Speaker 1: And how great is it if you can come up 283 00:14:55,480 --> 00:14:57,600 Speaker 1: with like a game that everyone would be excited to 284 00:14:57,600 --> 00:15:00,800 Speaker 1: do together, because then you've like given your gift, but 285 00:15:00,840 --> 00:15:04,040 Speaker 1: you've also provided some kind of activity and they'll probably 286 00:15:04,080 --> 00:15:06,720 Speaker 1: always associate that game with the nice memories of the holiday, 287 00:15:06,800 --> 00:15:08,880 Speaker 1: so it kind of comes full circle. Yeah, I mean, 288 00:15:08,880 --> 00:15:10,320 Speaker 1: because it could be a lot. I mean, Christmas in 289 00:15:10,320 --> 00:15:13,520 Speaker 1: particularly could be a long day. You're up early, you know, 290 00:15:13,600 --> 00:15:16,640 Speaker 1: you can get through the presence by mid morning, and 291 00:15:16,680 --> 00:15:20,480 Speaker 1: then it's like nothing's open, nobody's doing anything. Like you're 292 00:15:20,480 --> 00:15:22,560 Speaker 1: not you know, getting together with people necessarily unless you've 293 00:15:22,560 --> 00:15:24,280 Speaker 1: got family coming over, which is which is fun if 294 00:15:24,320 --> 00:15:26,640 Speaker 1: you do, but if you don't, like you know, there's 295 00:15:26,680 --> 00:15:28,840 Speaker 1: there's meltdowns every year. It's good to have a lot 296 00:15:28,840 --> 00:15:33,400 Speaker 1: of entertainment available as much as possible. Immediate stuff. So 297 00:15:33,560 --> 00:15:37,440 Speaker 1: consumables was another thing that you were writing about. I 298 00:15:37,480 --> 00:15:41,040 Speaker 1: am a big fan of consumables because, as we talked about, 299 00:15:41,080 --> 00:15:43,680 Speaker 1: clutter can be very frustrating. And if we have stuff 300 00:15:43,720 --> 00:15:45,400 Speaker 1: that's going to get used up, as long as you 301 00:15:45,440 --> 00:15:47,120 Speaker 1: actually use them up, but don't let your kids just 302 00:15:47,160 --> 00:15:50,440 Speaker 1: hoard them forever, which mine's sometimes tend to do, it 303 00:15:50,520 --> 00:15:52,520 Speaker 1: can be really great. So I've been a really big 304 00:15:52,560 --> 00:15:56,120 Speaker 1: fan of like the craft supplies things like bubble stuff, 305 00:15:56,160 --> 00:15:58,160 Speaker 1: which can be like great and it's like in my 306 00:15:58,320 --> 00:16:00,440 Speaker 1: in my kids case, it's gone and like it's maybe 307 00:16:00,520 --> 00:16:02,120 Speaker 1: some not find a way to go through it all. 308 00:16:02,440 --> 00:16:06,040 Speaker 1: Plato also doesn't last forever, but can be very thrilling. Well, 309 00:16:06,080 --> 00:16:09,760 Speaker 1: it's fun. Different kinds of craft sets. These can be 310 00:16:10,040 --> 00:16:14,720 Speaker 1: ways of delighting your children without filling up your coffers 311 00:16:14,760 --> 00:16:20,200 Speaker 1: with clutter forever. Yes, without one thousand scented erasers or 312 00:16:20,400 --> 00:16:22,800 Speaker 1: you know, even experiences for big kids. I mean you 313 00:16:22,840 --> 00:16:26,200 Speaker 1: want to do something to wrap it up still. So 314 00:16:26,360 --> 00:16:30,560 Speaker 1: when Sam got diving classes, like he wanted to get 315 00:16:30,600 --> 00:16:33,720 Speaker 1: his scuba diving certification, so that was something that he 316 00:16:33,800 --> 00:16:36,280 Speaker 1: was given for Christmas. But what we did is wrapped 317 00:16:36,400 --> 00:16:39,400 Speaker 1: up a little. It was like a playmobile or lego 318 00:16:39,520 --> 00:16:42,800 Speaker 1: diving boat set. I mean, just like a really cheap kit, 319 00:16:43,520 --> 00:16:45,480 Speaker 1: but it was something that could then be wrapped up 320 00:16:45,480 --> 00:16:47,960 Speaker 1: and was a toy and then you know, the real 321 00:16:48,280 --> 00:16:51,360 Speaker 1: present was of course the lessons, but you know, you 322 00:16:51,400 --> 00:16:54,240 Speaker 1: can't do the lessons on Christmas morning, so it's something 323 00:16:54,280 --> 00:16:58,440 Speaker 1: that then brings the experience to life right there. So 324 00:16:58,520 --> 00:17:00,640 Speaker 1: you know, just thinking about how you can you know, 325 00:17:00,760 --> 00:17:04,120 Speaker 1: do fun things coming in the future, but having something 326 00:17:04,160 --> 00:17:07,199 Speaker 1: that could be wrapped up to represent it. I know, 327 00:17:07,280 --> 00:17:10,120 Speaker 1: we when Michael got the skiing trip one one year 328 00:17:10,160 --> 00:17:13,400 Speaker 1: with his brother, we actually wrapped up little doll skis, 329 00:17:14,160 --> 00:17:16,840 Speaker 1: which he then you know, obviously passed two Ruth, who 330 00:17:16,840 --> 00:17:19,119 Speaker 1: is the one who's most interested in the ski set 331 00:17:19,160 --> 00:17:21,560 Speaker 1: for her doll, but that was a fun little thing 332 00:17:21,600 --> 00:17:25,280 Speaker 1: to wrap up too. That is a great gift. I 333 00:17:25,320 --> 00:17:27,960 Speaker 1: think Josh is considering doing like a little snowboarding trip 334 00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:30,800 Speaker 1: with Cameron since he's super into skateboarding, and we're hoping 335 00:17:30,800 --> 00:17:33,240 Speaker 1: it kind of translates. So maybe I'll have to see 336 00:17:33,240 --> 00:17:35,359 Speaker 1: if we can sell this as a as a Hanaka gift, 337 00:17:35,359 --> 00:17:38,640 Speaker 1: then I can check one of the ages. Yeah, and 338 00:17:39,040 --> 00:17:40,640 Speaker 1: you know, one of the one of the nice things 339 00:17:40,640 --> 00:17:43,520 Speaker 1: about Hanakah being eight days is that it sort of 340 00:17:43,560 --> 00:17:46,200 Speaker 1: does spread it out a little bit, and this is well, 341 00:17:46,240 --> 00:17:48,280 Speaker 1: you know, Okay, Sarah's making a funny face. Okay, this 342 00:17:48,359 --> 00:17:50,600 Speaker 1: is from somebody observing it. This seems like an upside. 343 00:17:50,600 --> 00:17:53,479 Speaker 1: You don't think it's an upside. Yeah, it's a lot 344 00:17:53,560 --> 00:17:57,439 Speaker 1: of days. I would use the word observed loosely to 345 00:17:57,480 --> 00:18:01,200 Speaker 1: be fair. We don't even really. I mean, my family's 346 00:18:01,280 --> 00:18:04,520 Speaker 1: just not particularly religious. Some people are, although fun fact, 347 00:18:04,600 --> 00:18:07,800 Speaker 1: Hankah is not like a very important Jewish holiday at all. 348 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:09,800 Speaker 1: And those who are really devout, I don't think they 349 00:18:10,080 --> 00:18:13,359 Speaker 1: do necessarily all the gifts and stuff, although I know 350 00:18:13,440 --> 00:18:15,520 Speaker 1: that they do like candles and say prayers and stuff 351 00:18:15,560 --> 00:18:18,560 Speaker 1: like that. For us, it's generally just mostly gift of 352 00:18:18,600 --> 00:18:20,840 Speaker 1: palooza with a couple of family events built in. I'm 353 00:18:20,880 --> 00:18:24,719 Speaker 1: actually hosting a because it starts right after Thanksgiving. I'm 354 00:18:24,760 --> 00:18:27,760 Speaker 1: hosting a Hanukkah brunch right after Thanksgiving, so that will 355 00:18:27,800 --> 00:18:30,720 Speaker 1: be really fun. But yeah, it's it's just a lot 356 00:18:30,720 --> 00:18:32,720 Speaker 1: of nights. It's more than a week of a gift 357 00:18:32,760 --> 00:18:35,720 Speaker 1: every night. And just like you mentioned the meltdowns on Christmas, 358 00:18:35,760 --> 00:18:38,320 Speaker 1: I don't necessarily think it's because the day is long. 359 00:18:38,840 --> 00:18:41,360 Speaker 1: I think it's just the whole, like emotions running high 360 00:18:41,440 --> 00:18:44,000 Speaker 1: with the gifts. It's like highs and lows and crazy 361 00:18:44,040 --> 00:18:46,399 Speaker 1: because we see a lot of it's just when you 362 00:18:46,400 --> 00:18:48,760 Speaker 1: think the kids would be best behaved because something good 363 00:18:48,840 --> 00:18:52,480 Speaker 1: is happening. We've had a plenty of behavioral struggles around 364 00:18:52,480 --> 00:18:56,920 Speaker 1: Hanukah that don't seem to be as problematic at other times. Gotcha, Yeah, 365 00:18:57,000 --> 00:18:59,919 Speaker 1: I mean, I think one of the things that you know, 366 00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:02,600 Speaker 1: my blog readers know that I do a holiday fun 367 00:19:02,720 --> 00:19:05,239 Speaker 1: list every year. It should be out by the time 368 00:19:05,320 --> 00:19:07,560 Speaker 1: this episode airs. If not, I apologize, I'll get it 369 00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:11,800 Speaker 1: up soon. But the idea is that if you have 370 00:19:11,960 --> 00:19:14,760 Speaker 1: a lot of fun things like experience is going on 371 00:19:14,920 --> 00:19:16,919 Speaker 1: with the season, and it does spread some of it 372 00:19:17,080 --> 00:19:21,960 Speaker 1: all out the experience of the season, then it's not 373 00:19:22,160 --> 00:19:25,480 Speaker 1: all just about the loot on Christmas morning. And so 374 00:19:25,760 --> 00:19:28,639 Speaker 1: just you know, somewhat dials it down for that that 375 00:19:28,720 --> 00:19:32,840 Speaker 1: there's more fun than just the presence. And that's certainly 376 00:19:32,840 --> 00:19:35,199 Speaker 1: something we're trying to think about too. It's like, you know, 377 00:19:35,400 --> 00:19:39,120 Speaker 1: we can have fun apart from things that it's really 378 00:19:39,160 --> 00:19:42,720 Speaker 1: more about celebrating the season as a family and other 379 00:19:42,760 --> 00:19:45,000 Speaker 1: things like this, and obviously, you know, for listeners, who 380 00:19:45,080 --> 00:19:48,040 Speaker 1: have religious observances as well, you know, being involved in 381 00:19:48,080 --> 00:19:50,160 Speaker 1: your house of worship, like the various events you can 382 00:19:50,200 --> 00:19:53,199 Speaker 1: do with that to then also bring that aspect of 383 00:19:53,240 --> 00:19:56,040 Speaker 1: the season into it, or if you want to volunteer 384 00:19:56,080 --> 00:19:57,720 Speaker 1: as a family somewhere, you know, that might be a 385 00:19:57,720 --> 00:20:00,119 Speaker 1: great way to honor the spirit of the season. And 386 00:20:00,160 --> 00:20:03,240 Speaker 1: even if you are not particularly religious. But again to 387 00:20:03,280 --> 00:20:07,920 Speaker 1: take some of the focus off the pile on Christmas morning, 388 00:20:08,160 --> 00:20:10,120 Speaker 1: although you know, you can't get away with not doing 389 00:20:10,119 --> 00:20:15,399 Speaker 1: that again because kids like stuff, you know, and we 390 00:20:15,520 --> 00:20:17,680 Speaker 1: have to appreciate that too. That especially if they don't 391 00:20:17,680 --> 00:20:20,040 Speaker 1: have the money to purchase their own stuff, This is 392 00:20:20,080 --> 00:20:22,000 Speaker 1: when they get the things that they want. I mean, 393 00:20:22,040 --> 00:20:24,199 Speaker 1: they just have less agency over their lives. I mean, 394 00:20:24,280 --> 00:20:26,679 Speaker 1: we want a toy, we could buy a toy. I mean, 395 00:20:26,680 --> 00:20:28,880 Speaker 1: you don't probably want a toy, as they're different sorts 396 00:20:28,880 --> 00:20:31,840 Speaker 1: of toys you want. But you know, I think there's 397 00:20:31,880 --> 00:20:35,439 Speaker 1: a great balance to be had there. So with that, 398 00:20:35,480 --> 00:20:37,639 Speaker 1: why don't we dive into some of the recommendations. So 399 00:20:37,680 --> 00:20:40,040 Speaker 1: Sarah had a post on her blog recently where she 400 00:20:40,080 --> 00:20:44,600 Speaker 1: was asking for Hanukkah suggestions the gifts that she could 401 00:20:44,600 --> 00:20:46,240 Speaker 1: do with her kids so you had a lot of 402 00:20:46,240 --> 00:20:49,160 Speaker 1: great ones come up. What did you hear? Yeah, I'll 403 00:20:49,160 --> 00:20:52,439 Speaker 1: share some of these wonderful readers suggestions. I mean, some 404 00:20:52,480 --> 00:20:55,040 Speaker 1: people mention the fact that my kids might be very 405 00:20:55,040 --> 00:20:57,399 Speaker 1: happy with some gift cards to buy things on apps, 406 00:20:57,800 --> 00:21:00,280 Speaker 1: and sure, Amazon gift cards. Let's let's be clear. No, 407 00:21:00,800 --> 00:21:03,280 Speaker 1: it was for like their own little currency now, like 408 00:21:03,320 --> 00:21:05,000 Speaker 1: you know, I just pass them back and forth at 409 00:21:05,040 --> 00:21:09,480 Speaker 1: teen birthday parties. I just that's true. That is so true, 410 00:21:09,520 --> 00:21:11,600 Speaker 1: and I am so guilty. I totally did that for 411 00:21:11,680 --> 00:21:13,920 Speaker 1: a reason. It was a very short noticed birthday party 412 00:21:13,960 --> 00:21:16,480 Speaker 1: in my defense, and I'm like, what, I actually picked 413 00:21:16,520 --> 00:21:18,800 Speaker 1: it up at Walgreens, but they didn't have that many options, 414 00:21:18,800 --> 00:21:21,359 Speaker 1: and it was like, well, who's gonna complain about this anyway? 415 00:21:21,800 --> 00:21:24,600 Speaker 1: Yea other digression, but no, like my kids are always 416 00:21:24,600 --> 00:21:28,680 Speaker 1: asking for like in app purchases, and those can add up, 417 00:21:28,840 --> 00:21:31,679 Speaker 1: and I would actually rather them use a gift cards 418 00:21:31,680 --> 00:21:34,360 Speaker 1: so they have a sense of it something being used up. 419 00:21:34,920 --> 00:21:37,919 Speaker 1: Then just keep saying yes and yes and yes, because 420 00:21:37,920 --> 00:21:40,240 Speaker 1: then I think they kind of forget, and so I 421 00:21:40,240 --> 00:21:42,400 Speaker 1: actually think them getting like let's say, a twenty five 422 00:21:42,440 --> 00:21:44,760 Speaker 1: dollars gift card to the Google play Store or like 423 00:21:44,800 --> 00:21:47,520 Speaker 1: the Apple App Store that can be used within their 424 00:21:47,600 --> 00:21:51,000 Speaker 1: games that they play, will probably allow them to understand 425 00:21:51,000 --> 00:21:53,360 Speaker 1: how quickly that goes. So, hey, it's a it's a 426 00:21:53,359 --> 00:21:56,040 Speaker 1: am I justifying it? Maybe, but perhaps it's a little 427 00:21:56,040 --> 00:21:58,719 Speaker 1: bit of more like like Broblox gift cards and steaming 428 00:21:58,800 --> 00:22:01,280 Speaker 1: gift facts and things like that, because I know those 429 00:22:01,280 --> 00:22:04,359 Speaker 1: are driving me crazier than the thousand scented erasers. I 430 00:22:04,359 --> 00:22:08,280 Speaker 1: mean just the asking for real money for like yes, bake, 431 00:22:08,840 --> 00:22:11,639 Speaker 1: you're like a little online yeah to wear the new 432 00:22:11,840 --> 00:22:16,639 Speaker 1: avatar avatar and it's always like two, you know what 433 00:22:16,720 --> 00:22:18,960 Speaker 1: I mean. I don't feel like there's not a good 434 00:22:19,280 --> 00:22:22,840 Speaker 1: reason to say no all the time, but you know 435 00:22:22,880 --> 00:22:24,600 Speaker 1: you don't want to say yes all the time either. 436 00:22:24,720 --> 00:22:27,399 Speaker 1: I mean, so it's like what if I bought I 437 00:22:27,400 --> 00:22:29,040 Speaker 1: would have gotten a kid of hot chocolate out at 438 00:22:29,040 --> 00:22:31,160 Speaker 1: Starbucks or something. So if I would have gotten that 439 00:22:31,840 --> 00:22:35,479 Speaker 1: three nine drink? Like why am I so worked up 440 00:22:35,520 --> 00:22:38,280 Speaker 1: about the dollar ninety nine badge that they just asked for? 441 00:22:38,359 --> 00:22:41,040 Speaker 1: But yes, I agree that could focus this on redblocks 442 00:22:41,040 --> 00:22:45,000 Speaker 1: gift cards. Yeah, somebody mentioned like a coding book or 443 00:22:45,000 --> 00:22:48,119 Speaker 1: coding lessons if they're kids into that Scratch is a 444 00:22:48,160 --> 00:22:50,439 Speaker 1: programming language. Actually, my kids have been playing with and 445 00:22:50,480 --> 00:22:53,080 Speaker 1: it is good for like kind of elementary school age 446 00:22:53,119 --> 00:22:57,200 Speaker 1: kids to really understand concretely how programming works. Cooking stuff. 447 00:22:57,240 --> 00:23:01,280 Speaker 1: So Genevieve, who's twenty four, three days after Hanukah ends, 448 00:23:01,400 --> 00:23:06,159 Speaker 1: might I add great timing there, Genevieve, she wants cooking stuff, 449 00:23:06,200 --> 00:23:08,720 Speaker 1: So she wants a cake decorating set, and she said 450 00:23:08,800 --> 00:23:11,320 Speaker 1: so many times. So I got some wonderful recommendations of 451 00:23:11,320 --> 00:23:14,200 Speaker 1: where I can get that. So actual real kids cooking 452 00:23:14,200 --> 00:23:16,960 Speaker 1: tools if they're interested in cooking. There are some really 453 00:23:17,000 --> 00:23:21,440 Speaker 1: cool kids like eating based subscription boxes ones called Radish Kids. 454 00:23:21,480 --> 00:23:23,640 Speaker 1: It gives like a recipe and a cooking tool. There's 455 00:23:23,680 --> 00:23:26,840 Speaker 1: another one that is like different world cuisines called Eat 456 00:23:26,880 --> 00:23:29,560 Speaker 1: to Explore that looks really intriguing. While they'll send you 457 00:23:29,600 --> 00:23:32,639 Speaker 1: like a monthly recipe and like a more unusual ingredient 458 00:23:32,680 --> 00:23:34,200 Speaker 1: and then you go out and buy like the more 459 00:23:34,520 --> 00:23:37,760 Speaker 1: you know typical ingredients to create a cuisine specific to 460 00:23:37,800 --> 00:23:42,560 Speaker 1: a region. A pet only if you're on board with it. 461 00:23:42,680 --> 00:23:46,239 Speaker 1: I mean, so Annabelle is interested in potentially getting a 462 00:23:46,280 --> 00:23:49,679 Speaker 1: bearded dragon, and of all the pets she could have chosen. 463 00:23:49,880 --> 00:23:53,960 Speaker 1: I'm fairly on board with this one. They really don't 464 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:57,360 Speaker 1: require a ton of care and attention. We actually got 465 00:23:57,400 --> 00:24:00,679 Speaker 1: to do like a trial run. So her pet is 466 00:24:00,680 --> 00:24:03,320 Speaker 1: the bearded dragon, and they have families hosted for the weekend. 467 00:24:03,560 --> 00:24:07,440 Speaker 1: So I was pleasantly surprised at this hosting experience. I mean, 468 00:24:07,920 --> 00:24:11,159 Speaker 1: it doesn't smell, it doesn't really get messy, and it 469 00:24:11,200 --> 00:24:13,160 Speaker 1: seems to be the world's colm. I mean, I don't 470 00:24:13,160 --> 00:24:15,639 Speaker 1: know if it's this specific one, but it was extremely calm, 471 00:24:15,680 --> 00:24:18,280 Speaker 1: So I'm like, okay, maybe, so you could get a 472 00:24:18,280 --> 00:24:19,880 Speaker 1: pet and all the accessors that go with a pet, 473 00:24:19,920 --> 00:24:21,919 Speaker 1: that's a pretty big gift, depending on the pet. But 474 00:24:22,800 --> 00:24:25,480 Speaker 1: a hermit crown is another one that's like pretty low. 475 00:24:25,680 --> 00:24:29,439 Speaker 1: Yeah as a pet, Like if your kids are really 476 00:24:29,480 --> 00:24:31,640 Speaker 1: asking for a pet and you don't want to deal 477 00:24:31,640 --> 00:24:35,080 Speaker 1: with a whole lot of pet stuff, you know, they 478 00:24:35,080 --> 00:24:37,880 Speaker 1: can go a while with a bit of benign neglect 479 00:24:38,320 --> 00:24:41,399 Speaker 1: if it comes to that. So you wouldn't have to 480 00:24:41,480 --> 00:24:43,280 Speaker 1: check in that often in the way you would with 481 00:24:43,359 --> 00:24:48,080 Speaker 1: like a puppy. Oh yes, yes, that would take major commitment. 482 00:24:48,680 --> 00:24:50,520 Speaker 1: And then there's the idea of getting your kids like 483 00:24:50,680 --> 00:24:53,520 Speaker 1: stuff they need, but a fun version like, oh, they 484 00:24:53,520 --> 00:24:56,240 Speaker 1: need new boots, but do they need like sparkly silver 485 00:24:56,359 --> 00:24:58,520 Speaker 1: boots with like faux fur on the top. Maybe not, 486 00:24:58,680 --> 00:25:01,639 Speaker 1: but that will make it more a gift type of experience. 487 00:25:02,320 --> 00:25:03,879 Speaker 1: I had a long comment that I'm not going to 488 00:25:03,880 --> 00:25:05,639 Speaker 1: read the whole thing, but I liked the idea of 489 00:25:05,680 --> 00:25:08,640 Speaker 1: like grow up plant kits because kids do enjoy like, 490 00:25:09,080 --> 00:25:10,959 Speaker 1: you know, it's kind of a science experiment. But then 491 00:25:10,960 --> 00:25:13,560 Speaker 1: they'd also have something decorative for their room when it's done. 492 00:25:13,640 --> 00:25:16,800 Speaker 1: That's a cool idea. Or a butterfly kit really watch 493 00:25:17,040 --> 00:25:20,600 Speaker 1: nature happen there stuff for the room decorations. So again, 494 00:25:20,640 --> 00:25:23,120 Speaker 1: annabel is nine and a half. She's definitely in that 495 00:25:23,240 --> 00:25:26,120 Speaker 1: phase where I think this would not be fun for Genevieve, 496 00:25:26,160 --> 00:25:27,600 Speaker 1: Like if I got her a slaying for her room, 497 00:25:27,680 --> 00:25:29,520 Speaker 1: I don't think she'd care. But I think Annabelle would 498 00:25:29,560 --> 00:25:32,360 Speaker 1: be like that kind of late elementary middle school. They'd 499 00:25:32,400 --> 00:25:34,320 Speaker 1: be super into something to make their room look like 500 00:25:34,359 --> 00:25:38,479 Speaker 1: a little more personalized or cool. Magazine subscriptions were noted 501 00:25:38,800 --> 00:25:41,000 Speaker 1: I personally, and this is not an ad, although I've 502 00:25:41,040 --> 00:25:43,560 Speaker 1: heard the ads making the rounds. We like the doodle 503 00:25:43,640 --> 00:25:45,960 Speaker 1: crate from Kiwi Crate, which is like their Arts and 504 00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:48,639 Speaker 1: Crafts box. I don't mind any of the boxes. I 505 00:25:48,680 --> 00:25:51,159 Speaker 1: actually think they're really cute, but I do find the 506 00:25:51,200 --> 00:25:53,200 Speaker 1: Kiwi crate ones tend to create a little bit more 507 00:25:53,240 --> 00:25:55,919 Speaker 1: lasting clutter, whereas the Doodle crate it's like you do 508 00:25:56,000 --> 00:25:58,720 Speaker 1: a whole project with it, and generally they've been getting 509 00:25:58,800 --> 00:26:02,080 Speaker 1: used and enjoyed at our home else matching pjays that 510 00:26:02,160 --> 00:26:06,520 Speaker 1: when you mentioned gift certificates to indoor play places, tickets 511 00:26:06,520 --> 00:26:09,280 Speaker 1: to some kind of outdoor museum event, or a museum subscription, 512 00:26:09,359 --> 00:26:10,960 Speaker 1: and maybe you could like bundle that with a little 513 00:26:10,960 --> 00:26:13,040 Speaker 1: tangible gift from the place to make it more of 514 00:26:13,080 --> 00:26:15,280 Speaker 1: a you know, something under the tree type of a thing. 515 00:26:16,040 --> 00:26:18,960 Speaker 1: And even like a customized water bottle, So really thinking 516 00:26:19,040 --> 00:26:21,520 Speaker 1: outside the box of like things that are actually useful 517 00:26:21,680 --> 00:26:24,640 Speaker 1: but like the cool or personalized version of them. Yeah, 518 00:26:24,640 --> 00:26:27,920 Speaker 1: I really like that idea, like the water bottles, flashlights, 519 00:26:28,240 --> 00:26:31,720 Speaker 1: things like you know, cool boots closed, but that would 520 00:26:31,760 --> 00:26:33,520 Speaker 1: be not the sort you'd get like with the sports 521 00:26:33,520 --> 00:26:36,600 Speaker 1: team jersey or something that's you know, probably not gonna 522 00:26:36,720 --> 00:26:40,920 Speaker 1: get as like your average shirt. But they're still useful, right, 523 00:26:41,000 --> 00:26:44,280 Speaker 1: So again, it's not the thousand scented erasers. This is 524 00:26:44,359 --> 00:26:46,240 Speaker 1: something that has a little legs to it that it'll 525 00:26:46,680 --> 00:26:51,080 Speaker 1: last through the year. So yeah, those are all wonderful ideas, 526 00:26:51,080 --> 00:26:54,280 Speaker 1: and we know that people have others, so please share 527 00:26:54,800 --> 00:26:58,480 Speaker 1: your gift ideas. You know, we'll have a blog post 528 00:26:58,680 --> 00:27:03,159 Speaker 1: on Laura Vanderkamda. You can obviously email us people who 529 00:27:03,160 --> 00:27:06,000 Speaker 1: have joined our Patreon community. We'll have a thread going 530 00:27:06,040 --> 00:27:09,719 Speaker 1: there with great gift ideas as well. But you know, 531 00:27:09,840 --> 00:27:14,480 Speaker 1: we we really hope that people can come through the 532 00:27:14,560 --> 00:27:18,320 Speaker 1: season feeling like it is fun as opposed to like, 533 00:27:18,440 --> 00:27:20,720 Speaker 1: oh my gosh, just one more thing I have to 534 00:27:20,840 --> 00:27:23,240 Speaker 1: do and when it when it gets to that, that's 535 00:27:23,280 --> 00:27:26,480 Speaker 1: when when things are you know, problematic. So trying to 536 00:27:26,480 --> 00:27:29,240 Speaker 1: think about what would make the holiday season fun for you, 537 00:27:29,920 --> 00:27:32,600 Speaker 1: think about what gifts you actually feel good about giving 538 00:27:33,040 --> 00:27:37,439 Speaker 1: as opposed to feeling sort of resentful your having to 539 00:27:37,480 --> 00:27:40,160 Speaker 1: shop for whatever this thing is that you don't really 540 00:27:40,200 --> 00:27:44,240 Speaker 1: want to have in your house afterwards. And Sarah apparently 541 00:27:44,240 --> 00:27:47,560 Speaker 1: got a something for your niece. That's a yes, yes, 542 00:27:47,640 --> 00:27:51,000 Speaker 1: my niece. Actually I get a lot of planners because 543 00:27:51,040 --> 00:27:54,119 Speaker 1: of best laid plans. Either I order them for experimental 544 00:27:54,160 --> 00:27:56,960 Speaker 1: purposes or sometimes they get sent to me, and I 545 00:27:57,040 --> 00:27:59,800 Speaker 1: gave my she was eleven at the time, and I 546 00:27:59,840 --> 00:28:01,680 Speaker 1: may and a rach Lee Doodle planner, and it turned 547 00:28:01,680 --> 00:28:03,080 Speaker 1: out she loved it. So I'm getting her one for 548 00:28:03,119 --> 00:28:05,199 Speaker 1: this year, and I'm excited about that. I was going 549 00:28:05,280 --> 00:28:06,840 Speaker 1: to mention something that I didn't put in the notes, 550 00:28:06,880 --> 00:28:09,600 Speaker 1: but I wanted to say that helps if you're somebody 551 00:28:09,600 --> 00:28:12,080 Speaker 1: who gets anxious about spending a lot of money and 552 00:28:12,119 --> 00:28:14,440 Speaker 1: you notice that December is when it just flows out 553 00:28:14,440 --> 00:28:17,080 Speaker 1: like a fire hose. I have a category, and you 554 00:28:17,080 --> 00:28:19,080 Speaker 1: need a budget where I put like a few hundred 555 00:28:19,119 --> 00:28:22,600 Speaker 1: dollars in every single month that I'm saving for the holidays. Now, 556 00:28:22,640 --> 00:28:25,040 Speaker 1: I know that sounds like a lot, but I have responsibilities, 557 00:28:25,080 --> 00:28:27,280 Speaker 1: like we have to contribute to like bigger office gifts 558 00:28:27,320 --> 00:28:29,480 Speaker 1: as well for all of our staff, So that will 559 00:28:29,520 --> 00:28:32,480 Speaker 1: come out of that, both for Josh and me, plus 560 00:28:32,520 --> 00:28:35,359 Speaker 1: you know family gifts and personal gifts and stuff. And 561 00:28:35,400 --> 00:28:38,040 Speaker 1: it totally takes the stress out for me knowing that 562 00:28:38,080 --> 00:28:41,200 Speaker 1: I'm like spending from this category that I like already 563 00:28:41,200 --> 00:28:43,120 Speaker 1: in my mind was already spent in a way. So 564 00:28:43,800 --> 00:28:46,680 Speaker 1: if you have trouble with that aspect, you might want 565 00:28:46,680 --> 00:28:49,400 Speaker 1: to consider just the psychological trick of thinking about how 566 00:28:49,440 --> 00:28:52,160 Speaker 1: you would budget for that, even if in reality, like 567 00:28:52,240 --> 00:28:54,800 Speaker 1: you're probably not going to broke yourself. I definitely feel 568 00:28:54,800 --> 00:28:59,000 Speaker 1: better spending from that specific bucket. Very wise advice. All right, well, 569 00:28:59,080 --> 00:29:02,520 Speaker 1: let's get to the question for this week, Sarah. This 570 00:29:02,560 --> 00:29:06,200 Speaker 1: one came in to you, I guess, yeah. So this 571 00:29:06,320 --> 00:29:07,960 Speaker 1: was an audio question, but there was a bit of 572 00:29:08,000 --> 00:29:11,640 Speaker 1: background noise, so I'm going to summarize it. This woman 573 00:29:11,720 --> 00:29:14,560 Speaker 1: has kids the same ages as mine, and she's thinking 574 00:29:14,600 --> 00:29:16,840 Speaker 1: of going from part time after school care to a 575 00:29:16,880 --> 00:29:20,000 Speaker 1: full time nanny. And she specific I mean, we've gotten 576 00:29:20,080 --> 00:29:22,920 Speaker 1: variations on this, but she wants to know specifically what 577 00:29:23,120 --> 00:29:25,640 Speaker 1: tasks our nanny does or that she could ask her 578 00:29:25,720 --> 00:29:28,600 Speaker 1: nanny to do while her kids are at school, because 579 00:29:28,840 --> 00:29:30,440 Speaker 1: you know, we've talked about this in the past. It 580 00:29:30,440 --> 00:29:33,040 Speaker 1: can be very hard to find stable part time care 581 00:29:33,080 --> 00:29:36,280 Speaker 1: if you're only offering twenty hours or fifteen hours. So 582 00:29:36,360 --> 00:29:38,880 Speaker 1: she's thinking, I'm going to hire someone full time, but like, what, 583 00:29:39,000 --> 00:29:41,440 Speaker 1: realistically can I ask somebody to do while my kids 584 00:29:41,440 --> 00:29:44,440 Speaker 1: are out of the house. Obviously, and I'll give you 585 00:29:44,480 --> 00:29:47,040 Speaker 1: my answer first. This is going to vary and can 586 00:29:47,040 --> 00:29:49,720 Speaker 1: be part of the interview process itself. So you don't 587 00:29:49,760 --> 00:29:52,720 Speaker 1: want to hire someone with the understanding that they don't 588 00:29:52,720 --> 00:29:54,520 Speaker 1: have to that they're like helping you get your kids 589 00:29:54,520 --> 00:29:56,160 Speaker 1: out the door and then don't have anything to do. 590 00:29:56,440 --> 00:29:59,360 Speaker 1: You'd want to be explicit during the hiring process that 591 00:29:59,400 --> 00:30:02,720 Speaker 1: you're looking for someone to do X, y Z housekeeping 592 00:30:02,840 --> 00:30:07,360 Speaker 1: tasks during the day and ABC childcare tasks once the 593 00:30:07,400 --> 00:30:09,440 Speaker 1: kids got home from school. So I think that you know, 594 00:30:09,480 --> 00:30:12,760 Speaker 1: being clear about that will be you know, important. And 595 00:30:12,840 --> 00:30:14,800 Speaker 1: I also mentioned in my answer to her that making 596 00:30:14,880 --> 00:30:18,320 Speaker 1: sure you're offering enough money that this is a position 597 00:30:18,400 --> 00:30:21,880 Speaker 1: that's attractive to someone is always just something to consider 598 00:30:21,960 --> 00:30:25,120 Speaker 1: when you're asking for quote unquote extra stuff, because some 599 00:30:25,480 --> 00:30:28,080 Speaker 1: people who are straight nanni's and have never done any 600 00:30:28,120 --> 00:30:30,200 Speaker 1: kind of housekeeping type of work might not like the 601 00:30:30,240 --> 00:30:32,560 Speaker 1: idea of doing extra but I think if the terms 602 00:30:32,560 --> 00:30:35,400 Speaker 1: are right, they might get more excited about doing so. 603 00:30:35,400 --> 00:30:39,040 Speaker 1: So in our particular case, our nanny helps us with laundry. 604 00:30:39,080 --> 00:30:41,640 Speaker 1: She does most of it during the week. She cooks 605 00:30:41,800 --> 00:30:43,640 Speaker 1: like three times during the week. We tend to eat 606 00:30:43,720 --> 00:30:47,040 Speaker 1: leftovers the other two nights. She does like light types 607 00:30:47,080 --> 00:30:49,200 Speaker 1: of cleaning, so I don't ask her to like scrub 608 00:30:49,200 --> 00:30:51,840 Speaker 1: toilets or clean the house, but definitely keeps things picked 609 00:30:51,920 --> 00:30:54,640 Speaker 1: up to a much better standard than I'm capable of, 610 00:30:54,760 --> 00:30:57,680 Speaker 1: to be honest. And she helps pack the lunch for 611 00:30:57,760 --> 00:30:59,960 Speaker 1: the next day, which is, for some reason, my mind, 612 00:31:00,040 --> 00:31:02,600 Speaker 1: most hated tasks. So I love that she does that. 613 00:31:02,640 --> 00:31:04,080 Speaker 1: I have to do it on Sunday night, and you 614 00:31:04,080 --> 00:31:08,240 Speaker 1: should hear my whining every time. And I mean that's plenty. 615 00:31:08,280 --> 00:31:10,760 Speaker 1: So laundry, some food prep. We don't really have her 616 00:31:10,800 --> 00:31:14,240 Speaker 1: shop anymore for our primary shopping trip, but sometimes I'll 617 00:31:14,240 --> 00:31:15,960 Speaker 1: ask her to pick up stuff as we're running low 618 00:31:15,960 --> 00:31:20,080 Speaker 1: on things like midweek and then. Yeah, so that's pretty 619 00:31:20,120 --> 00:31:22,200 Speaker 1: much in our case. And I'm sure it varies based 620 00:31:22,240 --> 00:31:25,680 Speaker 1: on the person, but I don't think that's unreasonable as 621 00:31:25,760 --> 00:31:29,440 Speaker 1: long as again, the person is agreeing to it. I 622 00:31:29,480 --> 00:31:31,840 Speaker 1: will admit that in our case this did evolve a 623 00:31:31,840 --> 00:31:34,920 Speaker 1: little bit more organically because when many many years ago 624 00:31:35,080 --> 00:31:37,560 Speaker 1: she was first hired, it was for a baby that 625 00:31:37,640 --> 00:31:39,200 Speaker 1: was going to be home all day, so she didn't 626 00:31:39,240 --> 00:31:41,000 Speaker 1: have time to do this much stuff, nor did we 627 00:31:41,040 --> 00:31:42,920 Speaker 1: ask her to do this much stuff. But as it 628 00:31:42,920 --> 00:31:45,920 Speaker 1: became clear that hey, like kids are gone for you know, 629 00:31:46,080 --> 00:31:50,800 Speaker 1: six hours, she stepped up and began doing more and more, 630 00:31:51,200 --> 00:31:53,320 Speaker 1: And I think if I were starting from scratch, I 631 00:31:53,320 --> 00:31:55,600 Speaker 1: would be super explicit with a list of like this 632 00:31:55,640 --> 00:31:57,280 Speaker 1: is what I'd like to get done during the day, 633 00:31:57,400 --> 00:31:58,600 Speaker 1: and then this is what I'd like you to do 634 00:31:58,640 --> 00:32:02,320 Speaker 1: in the afternoon, again being really realistic about it, not 635 00:32:02,440 --> 00:32:07,120 Speaker 1: over everybody needs breaks and paying fairly. Yeah, when we've 636 00:32:07,120 --> 00:32:10,520 Speaker 1: had a situation where children have we've had all the 637 00:32:10,560 --> 00:32:13,720 Speaker 1: kids in school for some number of hours, which hasn't 638 00:32:13,760 --> 00:32:17,840 Speaker 1: been that many years of our full like nanny employing times, 639 00:32:18,280 --> 00:32:23,200 Speaker 1: but options have been grocery shopping, so definitely something that 640 00:32:23,240 --> 00:32:26,280 Speaker 1: needs to happen at least once possibly twice a week 641 00:32:26,400 --> 00:32:31,880 Speaker 1: in our household. Food prep so making dinner during the 642 00:32:32,000 --> 00:32:35,760 Speaker 1: hours when the kids are at preschool, kid laundry, generally, 643 00:32:35,880 --> 00:32:40,160 Speaker 1: picking up the house. If there are random things that 644 00:32:40,240 --> 00:32:44,440 Speaker 1: need to happen, like interacting with the plumber when he's 645 00:32:44,480 --> 00:32:48,000 Speaker 1: coming and I'm on a call or something like that. 646 00:32:48,480 --> 00:32:52,640 Speaker 1: That's been something that we've had. You had people actually 647 00:32:52,720 --> 00:32:55,400 Speaker 1: like decorate the house for Christmas. We have this gift 648 00:32:55,400 --> 00:32:58,080 Speaker 1: giffe I have to side, which is something that I 649 00:32:58,160 --> 00:33:01,680 Speaker 1: love to have happen and have zero talent or inclination 650 00:33:01,760 --> 00:33:04,640 Speaker 1: to do myself. So that is always a great thing 651 00:33:04,680 --> 00:33:08,520 Speaker 1: to outsource if you can when they meet those two categories, 652 00:33:09,320 --> 00:33:11,640 Speaker 1: you know, or just general errands like returning books to 653 00:33:11,680 --> 00:33:14,920 Speaker 1: a library, bringing stuff to the post office, you know, 654 00:33:15,040 --> 00:33:17,600 Speaker 1: anything along those lines, because again, those are things that 655 00:33:17,640 --> 00:33:19,840 Speaker 1: are hard to have somebody do if they have your kids, 656 00:33:19,840 --> 00:33:21,600 Speaker 1: because it's annoying for you to do and if you 657 00:33:21,640 --> 00:33:23,160 Speaker 1: have like three kids in your car and you're trying 658 00:33:23,160 --> 00:33:25,640 Speaker 1: to go to the post office, it's just like crazy making. 659 00:33:26,160 --> 00:33:28,280 Speaker 1: So you don't want to necessarily put that on somebody 660 00:33:28,280 --> 00:33:31,080 Speaker 1: else's plate either. But if the kids are all gone, 661 00:33:31,160 --> 00:33:33,040 Speaker 1: then certainly you can you know, run around and do 662 00:33:33,080 --> 00:33:35,240 Speaker 1: the various errands that you would have to do on 663 00:33:35,280 --> 00:33:37,920 Speaker 1: the weekend, and that would you know, allow you to 664 00:33:37,920 --> 00:33:39,680 Speaker 1: not have to do these things on the weekend and 665 00:33:40,120 --> 00:33:42,680 Speaker 1: have some of that time freed up aither. I agree 666 00:33:42,720 --> 00:33:46,720 Speaker 1: with Sarah that probably like full scale like house scrubbing, 667 00:33:47,240 --> 00:33:50,440 Speaker 1: is something that's best you know, done with a cleaning 668 00:33:50,480 --> 00:33:54,520 Speaker 1: service or somebody who is specifically signed up for that, 669 00:33:55,000 --> 00:33:58,120 Speaker 1: because it's it's just that, you know, the lighthouse keeping 670 00:33:58,200 --> 00:33:59,600 Speaker 1: is one thing. I think the full like you know, 671 00:33:59,680 --> 00:34:02,000 Speaker 1: bleach on the floor kind of stuff is not necessarily 672 00:34:02,000 --> 00:34:04,840 Speaker 1: what people were thinking of in the childcare job. So 673 00:34:05,240 --> 00:34:08,640 Speaker 1: you know, probably separate that out and just get a 674 00:34:08,680 --> 00:34:10,880 Speaker 1: deep clean once every week or two from a service 675 00:34:10,960 --> 00:34:13,719 Speaker 1: and then you know, have the person who's there during 676 00:34:13,719 --> 00:34:15,600 Speaker 1: the day, I can do the general picking up and 677 00:34:15,800 --> 00:34:19,640 Speaker 1: you know, wiping down counters and stuff like that. Agreed, Agreed, 678 00:34:19,920 --> 00:34:22,680 Speaker 1: all right, So our love of the week this week, 679 00:34:22,719 --> 00:34:28,280 Speaker 1: I'm going to say is Costco sized roles of wrapping paper. 680 00:34:28,920 --> 00:34:31,840 Speaker 1: So you know, I have purchased a lot of wrapping 681 00:34:31,880 --> 00:34:34,920 Speaker 1: paper over the years, much of it, you know, you 682 00:34:35,040 --> 00:34:37,480 Speaker 1: see and like you go to even somewhere like Target, 683 00:34:37,560 --> 00:34:40,120 Speaker 1: it often comes in these tiny little rolls which are 684 00:34:40,239 --> 00:34:44,439 Speaker 1: enough to wrap approximately four presents, and when you have 685 00:34:44,880 --> 00:34:47,680 Speaker 1: five children, there are obviously going to be more than 686 00:34:47,719 --> 00:34:52,520 Speaker 1: four presents. And so Costco makes these roles that, as 687 00:34:52,520 --> 00:34:55,680 Speaker 1: far as I can tell, are just like infinite. I 688 00:34:55,719 --> 00:34:58,000 Speaker 1: mean maybe there's an end to it. I mean maybe 689 00:34:58,000 --> 00:35:01,000 Speaker 1: it is possible to use up the entire role, but 690 00:35:01,280 --> 00:35:03,279 Speaker 1: you know, we sort of supplement each year just to 691 00:35:03,280 --> 00:35:06,720 Speaker 1: have a different color, to have different We do different 692 00:35:07,280 --> 00:35:10,280 Speaker 1: wrapping paper for each child, so you know, it's easily 693 00:35:10,280 --> 00:35:13,000 Speaker 1: separated and people don't accidentally order open the wrong thing. 694 00:35:13,800 --> 00:35:17,000 Speaker 1: But you know, we probably could wrap everyone's presence in 695 00:35:17,040 --> 00:35:19,879 Speaker 1: one role because they are just that huge. I think 696 00:35:19,920 --> 00:35:23,560 Speaker 1: you could wallpaper an entire house in the gift wrap 697 00:35:23,840 --> 00:35:26,719 Speaker 1: of one of these Costco size roles. So if you 698 00:35:26,719 --> 00:35:29,480 Speaker 1: have not joined Costco and you have a large family 699 00:35:29,480 --> 00:35:32,360 Speaker 1: for some reason this hasn't happened yet, you might consider 700 00:35:32,400 --> 00:35:35,640 Speaker 1: doing it just for the wrapping paper all alone. I 701 00:35:35,680 --> 00:35:39,000 Speaker 1: agree with you that it is so irritating how few 702 00:35:39,040 --> 00:35:41,880 Speaker 1: gifts a normal role of wrapping paper lass and it 703 00:35:41,960 --> 00:35:44,520 Speaker 1: is kind of bizarrely expensive, so I may have to 704 00:35:44,560 --> 00:35:47,359 Speaker 1: actually check out Costco one of these days. I am 705 00:35:47,360 --> 00:35:52,000 Speaker 1: not a member. My Love of the Week is something 706 00:35:52,040 --> 00:35:54,680 Speaker 1: that some of my readers may be aware of that 707 00:35:54,719 --> 00:35:56,880 Speaker 1: I didn't know existed. So I'm thinking about getting a 708 00:35:56,920 --> 00:36:00,080 Speaker 1: more serious winter coat, just mostly for travel, because I 709 00:36:00,120 --> 00:36:04,319 Speaker 1: do not need it here. And apparently both Patagonia and 710 00:36:04,400 --> 00:36:07,520 Speaker 1: the North Face have opened up shops that are run 711 00:36:07,560 --> 00:36:10,879 Speaker 1: by them where they sell secondhand coats at like half 712 00:36:10,960 --> 00:36:14,480 Speaker 1: the price, many of which are. They rate the condition 713 00:36:14,600 --> 00:36:17,279 Speaker 1: as like, you know, not used at all versus you know, 714 00:36:17,440 --> 00:36:19,600 Speaker 1: excellent versus great whatever, so you can pick your condition. 715 00:36:19,960 --> 00:36:22,359 Speaker 1: But even the ones that basically look mint are like 716 00:36:22,400 --> 00:36:25,440 Speaker 1: half the price. And again, living in Florida and not 717 00:36:25,560 --> 00:36:27,880 Speaker 1: planning on using one of these coats all the time, 718 00:36:27,960 --> 00:36:30,279 Speaker 1: but still wanting something really like warm and not like 719 00:36:30,840 --> 00:36:33,279 Speaker 1: crappy for the few times I want it, I just 720 00:36:33,280 --> 00:36:36,040 Speaker 1: thought that was so cool. So I actually have not 721 00:36:36,120 --> 00:36:39,040 Speaker 1: made my purchase yet, but just love that. That is 722 00:36:39,080 --> 00:36:41,880 Speaker 1: a thing that is awesome because coats can be an 723 00:36:41,960 --> 00:36:45,960 Speaker 1: expensive part of a winter wardrobe, especially as if you 724 00:36:45,960 --> 00:36:47,640 Speaker 1: don't need it every day. If you do, then it's 725 00:36:47,680 --> 00:36:49,879 Speaker 1: worth you know, investing a lot and getting a good one, 726 00:36:49,880 --> 00:36:53,040 Speaker 1: but for the occasional use, it can be an annoying expense. 727 00:36:53,160 --> 00:36:56,000 Speaker 1: So that's really cool. Well, this has been best of 728 00:36:56,040 --> 00:36:59,319 Speaker 1: both worlds. We've been doing our gift guide. Things to 729 00:36:59,480 --> 00:37:02,440 Speaker 1: think about asking for yourself for the holidays, things you 730 00:37:02,480 --> 00:37:05,960 Speaker 1: can consider giving to children, just general approaches to organization. 731 00:37:06,480 --> 00:37:08,480 Speaker 1: We will be back next week with more on making 732 00:37:08,480 --> 00:37:12,960 Speaker 1: work and life fit together. Thanks for listening. You can 733 00:37:12,960 --> 00:37:16,439 Speaker 1: find me Sarah at the shoebox dot com or at 734 00:37:16,560 --> 00:37:20,040 Speaker 1: the Underscore Shoebox on Instagram, and you can find me 735 00:37:20,600 --> 00:37:24,279 Speaker 1: Laura at Laura vandercam dot com. This has been the 736 00:37:24,320 --> 00:37:27,800 Speaker 1: best of both worlds podcasts. Please join us next time 737 00:37:28,120 --> 00:37:30,680 Speaker 1: for more on making work and life work together.