I am still in somewhat of a state of denial about the fact that Christmas is here again! This past year has flown by...as fast as Santa's reindeer on Christmas Eve night. (And I'm assuming they are fast since I've only read about them in books.)

The shopping season was suddenly upon us, it seemed, from out of nowhere. I mean it was only yesterday the headlines read: "Woman pepper sprays Black Friday shoppers!"

And now, I have less than two weeks to finish my shopping. I attempted to shop last Sunday...without making a list! What in the world was I thinking? I suggest you never do this for several reasons.

First, my non-list had no sizes for clothes I should have bought for loved ones. Trying to decide if a pair of LSU slipper/sock/boot thingies will fit my sister's feet, especially when you have no idea if she's a 6, an 8 or a 10, is not easy. Especially when the slippers only come in small, medium or large.

Secondly, those nieces and nephews of mine are growing up way too fast!! What I imagined they would like, is far from what they actually want...a Justin Bieber toothbrush that sings to you while you brush. Really? Really??

Or Justin Bieber perfume...not for guys but for girls! I should purchase stock in all Bieber merchandise, I'm thinking, since he is a marketing/merchandising genius and his "brand" is EVERYWHERE! Calendars, toothbrushes, perfume, posters...oh, yeah, and let's not forget the other stuff he puts out, his music. I mean with all the things that are "bieber-made" you would think this kid is Martha Stewart. I'm waiting to see his own line of cookware any minute. Rachel Ray, look out!

Lesson learned: Know your target audience before heading to the mall! Save yourself a lot of trial and many, many errors. Make a list and check it more than twice, especially if you're buying for teens...because what's "in" today could be way, way "out" tomorrow. I really do "bieberlieve."