thistledo

deep in christmas rush shopping, the most common phrase overheard by boynton was "that'll do"

- How about this? Think she'll like this?
- Well you know... she likes aromatherapy.
   Pause
- Oh well. That'll do.

Related to impulse buying, the christmas compulsion buy is characterised by the shrug.

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Comments: thistledo

"That'll do" ... round these usually relates to a tin of Dutch Shortbreads* and the accompanying thought, "Just in case they've got something for us".

*(a) Are these ever purchased outside the month of December?

(b) Does anyone actually eat these artery cloggers?
Posted by Sedgwick at December 24, 2003 08:13 AM

grabbing a box of biscuits this Xmas has turned out to be a bad idea - Belgian biccies are just EVERYWHERE and cheap so the present is so obviously cut rate..

i was so happy when i found a box of 100 tea candles at the south melbourne professional chef shop - heaven on a forged german stick for me - for eight dollars. almost as good as ikea.

Enjoy your Christmas.
Posted by David at December 24, 2003 10:25 AM

I think it's as often said in resignation as weary indifference; no matter how much thought we put into our Christmas lists, sooner or later we always come to at least one "that'll do".
Posted by Gummo Trotsky at December 24, 2003 02:14 PM

Love your extra clause there, Sedge.
I had a theory that there was one box of after-dinner mints circulating through Melbourne as the token present for dinner party host, perhaps it's the same for these contingency christmas presents. Researchers should track a tin of Dutch Shortbreads.

David - you almost got me voyaging South for that marvelllous find. I can't do Ikea at the best of times - now would be even more santaclaustrophobic.

Gummo - especially on a hot day in high street, when the madness starts to set in.
Posted by boynton at December 24, 2003 09:36 PM

Ms B,

A hot day in the high street is usually the time when the opposite impulse sets in, and you go wildly over-budget on something totally inappropriate (such as a bottle of Chanel Number 5 for a bed-ridden seventy year old maiden aunt), just to get things over and done with.
Posted by Gummo Trotsky at December 24, 2003 10:05 PM

I'm sure all aunts everywhere are wondering how to get onto Gummo's last-minute what-the-hell gift list.

Shortbread never smelled so sweet.
Posted by boynton at December 24, 2003 11:44 PM