Oh, April. You are a GREAT story teller, and VERY crafty. I did know that, but forgot. The laundry disaster had me laughing, although I know it wasn't funny! I loved the delightful ending

You are so right about the lip balm being better in a gold tube. Younger me would have scoffed. Anyway, no big gift giving occasions around here except for January when 3/5 of my family have birthdays. We do give like to give small Chanukah gifts (not such a big thing here) but have never managed to beat giving all three kids Airpods years ago. The only present they all could enjoy equally .

I guess the key thing is spending time with the people you love, regardless of what (or whether) you're celebrating!

I suspect I grew up like Mr April's family; even for Eids, we never really got 'gifts' as such (my mother & I used to organise an annual gathering at the community centre, where we would give the younger kids small gifts, but the rest of us didn't really expect anything). And like Jenni mentioned, I'm not sure we could all 'predict' what the other would like anyway - DH has said he'll buy me some noise cancelling headphones for my birthday, so I guess going to shop for that together will be the best of both worlds!

I'm sorry about your lipstick but sometimes the giftwrap (i.e. what it comes in) is more important than the gift itself, haha! I know some people take great joy out of carefully wrapping up everything for others - picking out the colours & textures, etc. I like the 'reusable' gifting approach of giftbags/ eco-friendly paper etc

Zaeobi, I have gotten obsessed with Wrappily and their recycled giftwrap, paper ribbon, etc.

And now to turn back to fashion and things that squeaked into my closet just before my shopping pause, I tried on two sizes of the DKNY faux suede paper-bag pants that Chris987 showed here and one is perfect, so they're staying. Also a pair of Clark's olive suede booties seems just right - those had become a HEWI for me and I know they'll get worn frequently.

@April
What would you say is the colour of those trousers - can't tell if they're tan/ gold/ olive?

They're a very golden olive - not my favorite olive near my face but for trousers, quite nice.

Hmm, chameleon trousers, how intriguing... I'm sure they look fab on you!

I am on a second year-long fast from buying new clothes for myself, unless I can not find used what I really need. This is a good time to refrain from buying. Everything will soon be on sale. Then shop early for stock sizes disappear quickly. Where most of the women are big the small stuff goes on deep discount. Here people are in good shape and the small sizes go first at full price . The sales have lots of XL sizes. This also goes for tall boots. Salesmen would point out the sale rack narrow shafts. NOw I need to look for them in September or earlier. I should do shopping road trips.