Christmas Shopping

Done it all, less than two hours from arrival at West Quay Southampton to departure. When I go Christmas shopping I always know where I'm going and what I'm buying before I leave home, no need for a list - it's all in my head.

The main part of the shopping was over with in about forty five minutes and then it was down to wandering around looking for 'surprise' presents and something for myself. I spent so much time in HMV lurking in the comedy section of the DVD's that an assistant came over and asked if I needed help, he probably thought I was casing the joint before shop lifting the Eddie Izzard boxset (all of which I already own and have done on both VHS and DVD). Has anybody noticed how expensive HMV is these days, I mean I'm surprised they still exist on the High Street.

Anyway, whilst I was feeling pleased with myself for having purchased an Yves Saint-Lauren shirt for £12.98 instead of £42.99, it struck me how little I care about money. I know that probably sounds daft but I come from an original East End family made good, Charles Booth describes the residents of the building my paternal great grandparents were living in at the time of his great survey as among the very poorest in London. I didn't want for anything but never really had too much if you know what I mean. I don't consider myself as well off or even comfortable, I still have to work and Janis works three evenings a week and two Sunday's a month so we can afford luxuries like a family holiday abroad once a year. The thing was that during my Saturday shopping spree I was able to spend the same amount as two weeks old age pension in the equivalent time span of one-half of a football match and not worry.

Losing the family home twice when I was growing up through my Dad being made a bankrupt and then being forced to stay with friends or in a caravan or a hotel whilst looking for somewhere permanent made me vow two things: Firstly the mortgage would always be paid by direct debit and secondly so would the rates/council tax.

It's taken me the best part of twenty five years to actually embrace the idea of spending money on myself and it's now part of the Christmas shopping ritual that I buy myself something once I've bought everybody else there's, so that YSL shirt with 70% off - according to the sale tag - was my present to myself for this year.