How many shopping days left until Christmas? I haven’t a clue. Nor am I going to look it up. But I know where to shop.

Back in 2009 I discovered Käthe Wohlfahrt’s Weinachtsdorf (which I think translates into English as “Christmas Village”) in a visite to Rothenburg, Germany. I was impressed enough to snap a couple of photos, but didn’t buy anything. Though my wife may have.

I’m not sure how I feel about Christmas decorations. There always seem to be too many of them around ourt house during the Advent season. Maybe it is just that I’m not a fan of the labor involved in putting them up, then taking everything down a month later.

I understand the appeal though. And I will admit the store is magical. There is so much more here than just a glass ball to hang on the Christmas tree. When I look on their website I see lots of items that I wouldn’t mind owning – until I remember I don’t really need them.

I’m trying to do that more often as I get older. There is a difference between wants and needs, and they need to be carefully balanced. There are so many shiny baubles I could buy – but do I need more toys?

Sometimes it is nice to be able to indulge, to purchase something because it appeals to me. I do find though that the consumer urge is easier to resist as I get older.

Which means that I can resist shopping at Käthe Wohlfahrt’s Christmas store, or at least the online version. I can admire the various ornaments without feeling I must own them. It might be a little tougher to resist if I were to visit Rothenburg again and add the tactile to the visual experience.

Can you relate to that? Is there a point where you just have to own something? If so, what is the trigger, what pushes you past want and into need? Do you even know?