Hmmn. I don't know, the consumerism thing is hard to escape. For some people it represents caring, and I'm all about buying something that I see if it's perfect for someone. Though probably this year I'll be giving out mix cds more, to my friends, anyway, due to budgetary reasons. For the family... well, it's weird, because in a sense, it does show that I care, and I'm so far away, I think it actually represents for them, in a more realistic tangible sense, that I am indeed thinking of them off in the wilds of NJ, so I couldn't really stop. I mean, I don't buy stuff for each aunt and uncle or any of the extended cousin people, but for my immediate family... well, honestly, Pete and I try to outdo each other for coolness every year. See, we're still competitive, but now we have it working for us instead of against us. Though even still, I try to only give people things they'll really *use*. Like I got my mom all the Harry Potter books last year, 'cause I know she'd like them, and I generally get my parents DVDs, because it's all

It's odd though. My aunt on my dad's side decided we should do a secret santa thing this year. Oh, except she decided this on Saturday. Which would be fine if I didn't already have gifts for that side of the family done (there's 4 of them).

I don't know. Maybe other people are right, and I am shallow and materialistic (I'll tell you who thought this some other time). Though really, I go for the emotional rush that I get listening to music, so maybe I'm less shallow than I thought. I feel bad not giving people things when they give me things. But at the same time, I can't really consciously and conscientiously decide to more into debt to assuage my feelings of guilt. Hmmn.

Okay, so I just rambled forever here... sorry! Talk to you later!