Just picture me relaxing on my deck in the sunshine while you are running around the shops ticking people off your list.
The last bits and pieces I need - there's always something I haven't thought of - I'm picking up from local artists' galleries, one of the awesome local markets, and possibly at the Christmas Bazaar which is on at the Historic Village on Saturday.
I'm a big fan of buying local, but even more of buying handmade and upcycled gifts and I'm sure that's where I'll find them.
It's great news for our retailers that people seem to be more confident and spend more this year as it hasn't been easy for them for a long time.
Of course there are plenty of people who leave their gift shopping to the very last minute. I'm curious to see the final figures after Boxing Day.
We all know that Christmas can put a big dent in the family budget, and it's not uncommon for people to spend twice as much as planned.
Christmas is about family and creating memories, of course, and it's about having fun and not about how much you spend.
You can say it's about the presence and not the presents until you are blue in the face, but I know that my kids will be somewhat disappointed that they won't find the Xbox they have been asking for under the tree on Christmas morning.
They are getting a few things they want as well as a few things they need, but that's about it.
It won't be a fun Christmas for me if it takes me the next six months to pay it off.
With all this spending going on, I can't help to think about the people who are facing a holiday season that's not so jolly. Christmas puts enormous pressure on those who can't afford to splash out, let alone pay their normal weekly bills.
Like last year, the Bay of Plenty Times is running a Christmas Appeal, seeking donations of food and cash to help Tauranga Foodbank continue its work during the Christmas period and into next year.
Demand for help from the Foodbank this year is about the same as last year and the economy is picking up a little, but still about 25 to 30 food parcels worth $40 to $50 are handed out at the building on Dive Cres every day.
All donations are welcome but baby products and personal hygiene products are top of the wish list.
Nappies, infant formula, and baby food are too expensive for the Foodbank to buy but they are always in demand. About 60 to 70 per cent of clients are solo parents. Don't assume you know what "type" of people rely on foodbanks.
They are a very diverse bunch, from solo mums to business people whose companies have collapsed and working families who got stung with unexpected large bills such as car repairs.
A friend said to me the other day that in a way we are all only a step or two away from being in that situation and I think she's right.
The 2013 Bay of Plenty Times Christmas Appeal for the Tauranga Community Foodbank runs until December 20. Donations of non-perishables can be made at the paper's office on 405 Durham St. It's that easy to make a difference.
Another local initiative is being organised by ASB Baypark, where people can also donate non-perishable food items and toys for the Tauranga Foodbank.
This appeal runs until December 20 as well.
If you are at Bayfair doing your last-minute Christmas shopping anyway, you can leave a gift for a family in need under the tree at Kmart.
For the past 19 years, the store has helped The Salvation Army make Christmas a little brighter for thousands of families in need. The 2013 Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal runs all the way up to Christmas Eve and this year, and the organisation aims to collect more than 40,000 gifts nationally.
There are plenty of other initiatives, big and small, to help local people who are less fortunate than others this season. It doesn't really matter which one you support or if you give a can or cash, but it would be good if you could. Even the smallest gesture makes a difference.
Martine Rolls is a Tauranga writer and digital strategist - www.sweetorange.co.nz
