How Christmas Works Around Here

I wanted to share an example of how complex, or simple - depending on how you look at it - the art of gift-giving can be in our family.

My Mom called today and reviewed with me what she was giving each of my children, asking for hints for last minute items. Then she said she didn't have anything for me, yet, but that hopefully my Dad had already taken care of that. I mentioned that I really wanted a jar of Bath and Body Works Sweet Temptations Twisted Peppermint Body Scrub. She begged me wait while she scrambled for a pencil. As she did thus, I googled the item and found out that although it cost $12/jar in the store (which is aggregious anti-Christian spirit of Christmas, up-against-the-wall, they-have-you-right-where-they-want-you pricing as it's only offered in December and then disappears unless you're lucky enough to find some on eBay), it was on sale for 50% off online. Mom comes back to the phone and I tell her this. She gets all excited (this part runs in the family) and tells me to order a couple and she'll pay for them as my gift. I see the sense in this so after I get off the phone I order four jars for $24.00. Then I go to retailmenot.com and check out their coupon codes, scooping up a "spend $30, get $10 off" deal. I flip back to the B&B Works site, add another jar to my order to bring it to $30 exactly, apply the coupon code, and watch $10 fall off my total. With tax and shipping, I just got five jars of the $12 body scrub for $28.51, without ever having to leave my home and brave the obscene mall mobs. Deal!

Called my Mom back to share the good news and she immediately agrees to pay for all five jars. Score! Then I tell her she can just add it onto the monthly check she gives us to help pay for the kids' cell phones. Let's see, that's $40, plus $28.51 comes to $68.51. But wait, I am buying her that sweater that she found for herself at Kohls, so minus out the price of the sweater, and she will write me a check for whatever is left over. I'll pick her check up in a couple days, along with the sweater to wrap and give back to her on Christmas morning. Perfect.