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Why Are Overseas Mailing Deadlines So Early?

I was going to blog about this anyway, but Desiree blogged about this (kinda) and beat me to the punch but I'll elaborate on her post.

I haven't had a chance to get my Christmas parcels off yet, I missed the surface deadline to Canada ages ago--it was Oct 31st. Well, I haven't even bought my family's parcels yet, as I haven't been enthused this year about Christmas in any form (I'm normally like I big kid when it comes to Christmas) cuz hubby's off work and I like I said before, shopping's no fun when you ain't got no mon-ay. But every year it's really hard to come up with something creative to get my family that's 'typically English' but doesn't cost a whole lot (so the Wedgwood china is out) and will stilll get there in one piece. I try to think 'light and fluffy' but it still costs an absolute fortune. And I love to send little 'goodie parcels' to everyone because I love buying other people stuff. If I could buy the whole world a pressie I would. (I can feel my hubby nod his head in agreement when he's reading this)(And no, it's *not* because of the fact that if I buy other people something, they'll feel guilty enough to buy me something in return--I'm not that crass!--I just like to show my friendship and appreciation to those around me). I also feel sorry for my parents and want to give them a good Christmas. Since my sister and I have 'fled the nest' they've spent Christmases pretty much on their own and I feel kind of guilty about that. So I try to make it up to them somehow.

I know I left it late. And what's more, when G was at our local post office yesterday, the lady at the counter (who knows me/us all too well--it's really sad how much time I spend in that place!) gently reminded G to remind me that the surface mailing date has passed and how I always leave it late. Sheesh.

So I'm in a dilemma. I have to either risk sending my stuff (I guess I'd better come up with some goods to actually send PDQ) by surface anyway and hope that my pressies get there on time (hey, there's still a month left, why shouldn't they!? Is there only one boat a month across the Atlantic or something?!) or cough up the money and do it airmail (in that case, my gifts will be a lot lighter and fluffier than in past years). But I do know that all this causes twinges of panic that I left it too late by accident and I tried to be more organized this year but circumstances prevented me from doing so. When I do eventually schlepp into the post office I know I'll be given the third degree that I left it too late blahdeblah, and I'll feel mega-guilty at my lack of forward planning.

But it's interesting that research came out yesterday that showed Brits are expecting to spend an average of £868 each on Christmas this year. On average, we will spend £345.65 each on presents, £114.72 on food and £63.85 on drink, and the rest on Christmas cards, accessories and decorations. (see the rest of the article here) I wish we could afford to spend that sort of money! Who *are* these people that could afford to spend that much, I don't know anyone like that! Oh wait a sec...maybe I *am* one of those people...I think I spend that much on postage, sending my 'light and fluffy' presents back to Canada.