I have a confession to make. I am a notorious Christmas shopping procrastinator. It is not at all uncommon for me to be searching for someplace open on Christmas Eve to pick up a last-minute stocking stuffer or gift.

Oh, I want to be one of those people who are done with their shopping early! In fact, I have made a pact with myself many times that this will be the year I am going to get it done early. Yeah…about that.

Anyway, this column is not so much a discussion about when to shop, but more about how to shop.

You see, I am looking for input. The dilemma facing my husband, Jody, and me at this season of life is what to buy for our grown children and older grandchildren.

Jody and I both grew up in homes where buying Christmas presents was a true financial burden for our parents. Many of my gifts as a child consisted of things that I needed - a new winter coat and shoes, for example. Though we always got something fun, too.

Once we were adults and went out on our own, the gifts changed. We started getting things like a pair of gloves or a stocking hat, maybe a package of socks.

When grandkids came along, our parents put any resources they had toward gifts for them.

Nowadays, I see many parents continuing to purchase big items for their grown children for Christmas. Things like TVs, Blackstones, and such! While we are in a much better position than our parents were, that seems a bit over the top to me.

I’m all about experiences. So, a few years ago, I decided our gift to our children and their families would be a family trip - all of us, together. It seemed like a great idea to me! So I picked a date and a location, booked a big house, and surprised the kids and their spouses at Christmas with my planned trip to Branson. Any guesses on how that went?

“I’m not sure I can get time off on those dates.” “We have a basketball tournament that weekend.” (Keep in mind, the child is 8!) The list went on and on. Oh, we went. And for the most part, we all had a great time.

But when I suggested the idea the following year, it was not so well received. Not to mention the fact that it was indeed, quite expensive.

So, now I’m back to trying to figure out what is appropriate for both my bank account and my momma heart. I’m curious to know what you do! Please share your thoughts with me, and if you are willing to have them published, I think that would be kind of fun too!

Email me at: ellen@syndicatepub.com and let’s get a conversation going.

Maybe this really will be the year I get my shopping done earlier!