The Scratch

Christmas Shopping: What To Do and What Not To Do

My coworkers have been asking me if I have my Christmas shopping done yet and all I can think is that Christmas is still pretty far away, I should be fine. The reality is that as of this writing, Christmas is only 13 days away.

If you are like me, you are currently thinking, “Oh snap!” After the initial panic wears away, you will find yourself thinking about what to get everyone on your Christmas list. This may be the most daunting task of the year. Luckily, I think I can help you by telling you what not to buy.

Let’s start out with the kids on your shopping list – power tools, heavy machinery, socks, underwear, antiques, and Nebraska Lottery Products are big no-no’s for this demographic. How is one to know what is age appropriate for this group? You can write off Nebraska Lottery Scratch and Lotto tickets if the person you are shopping for is under 19 years of age. I don’t think many kids have need for power tools, so those are gone. Reading a lot of news articles these days leads me to believe not many adults should be allowed to use heavy machinery, so let’s just write that off entirely – don’t gift anyone a bulldozer or a steamroller this year. Do I really have to tell you that they’d be bored to tears by opening a package of socks and underwear? Antiques – I mean kids are pretty destructive, so that’s self-explanatory.

Moving on to the older demographics, let us now take a look at what to buy for the over 19 crowd. You have the deep-thinking brother or sister, the happy-go-lucky younger sibling and the mamas and the poppas to consider.

For that brother or sister who enjoys puzzles or crosswords, stuff their stockings with what we call extended play games. These games include the Lucky Numbers Super Ticket and Bonus Crossword, which offer players a chance to play a bit longer – an ideal fit for someone who enjoys taking their time.

Your parents may have a lot on their plates. Now that you’re out of the house, they have a lot more free time and like to do as much as possible, so the quicker they can get through an activity, the better. For them, go with something quick and easy like Quick 7s, Get in Line or Triple Tripler.

As for the happy-go-lucky younger sibling, they’ll be happy with just about anything. I wouldn’t stress over them. Pick a game and roll with it.

Now, the real tricky thing is going to be your significant other. Obviously, Scratch tickets and Lotto games are good gifts to compliment the real, big romantic gift you decide to get that special someone. Just don’t let those tickets be the only thing or you won’t hear the end of it.