Nathan had one of his friends over the other day.  They were chatting about Christmas shopping.  Apparently Valerie had most of her shopping done.  Nathan – none.  He’s not a big shopper.

It has been my experience that girls are more apt to buy their friends Christmas gifts than boys…and enjoy the process.  I see this in my nieces and in the daughters of  my friends.  Not so much with any of the boys.  And as much as I don’t like generalizing, it’s hard to ignore the fact that girls are usually the ones who plan the parties, organize the potlucks, and buy the gifts.

It’s not that Nathan doesn’t have any shopping to do.  He has to buy a gift for Ryan and for the “White Elephant” gift exchange we’re having this year.  A gift for mom and dad would be nice.  But gifts for friends?  There seems to be some unspoken agreement among the group not to subject each other to the burden of shopping.

But I like what Valerie had to say about her Christmas shopping this year.  She and her friends decided to do a Secret Santa.  The reason?  “To save money.”  She said it so matter-of-factly, it was like she was telling me the time.

And I had to smile to myself.  Maybe this next generation will be a little more saving-savvy than their parents.  Maybe saving will simply be what normal people do.  And a benefit of spending less?  No shopping.