With Christmas looming and gifts to be bought, I decided it was time to look into getting my presents sorted out early.

When the children were younger, it always seemed that Chrismtas was quite easy. Back in the good old days when the wonderful Woolies were still on the high street, it was brilliant as all I had to do was call in there and pick up all their prezzies in one go. Now that they have hit the terrible teenage years, Christmas is far more complicated, not to mention expensive.

Gone are the days of £5 toys being sufficient. This year, on top of one of their lists is Series 1 to 7 of the tv programme 24. Imagine my face, when I saw the other one’s list and saw that she has a laptop heading the list. Of course, it’s not any old laptop it’s got to be pink and do this and do that, blah blah blah.

I really wish that sometimes I could turn the clock back a bit and have them all sweet and little again.

Don’t get me wrong though, I absolutely love the whole idea of Christmas, but over the years it all seems to have got out of hand.

If I had my way my perfect Christmas would involve all of the family sitting round the roaring open log fire with us all having a good old knees up round the piano.

However, the reality of Christmas will soon sink in and some of the family will arrive already drunk, I won’t be able to light the fire as all the Christmas decorations will be draped over the fireplace and the closest we might get the the piano is singing a few songs on Singstar. Oh my how things have progressed or not!

I have already had Christmas lists in from my nieces. I have always said to both of them that I don’t care what I spend on their presents, but make it easy and let me know exactly what you want. Having cast a quick glance at their lists, it looks like one of them wants some silver jewellery, the other said could I get her some silver earrings or maybe if I could stretch to it some gemstone jewellery.

I know a lot of people might see their lists as being a bit cheeky, but me I’m more than happy with them. I know exactly what they would like, I know where I can buy it from and if I play my cards right, I won’t even have to step out of my house to get it. I am really hoping that with the Internet being as huge as it is now, most of my Christmas shopping can be done from the comfort of my own home.

There seem to be plenty of bargains around, so for now I need to get back to my shopping.