First I have to say that I am not a competitive Christmas shopper. I usually like to do my shopping online, but this year, due to job changes and financial irregularities (aka where did our paychecks in December go?) I dont have time to shop online.... SO... I have to shop in person, EEEEK.
Today, I was going to start shopping for Dana, so I went to the mall, that was mistake #1. I didnt really think about it, I have lived quite successfully in a very highly populated area, after all I lived in the heart of Southern California for 6 years with no problem. I rubbed shoulders with lots of people and didnt think anything about it. But man oh man, when I walked into our mall, (not a huge mall, single level but about 30-40 stores) it was without
a doubt, AB-SO-LUTELY packed! And not in a good way either.
I stopped and looked around and began to wonder where did all of these people come from? It was 3:00pm in the afternoon on a WEDNESDAY, doesnt anyone work during the day anymore?? I do believe that we have been invaded by people from the outlying areas, the hinterlands, you know places where the convenience of running water and electricity may not necessarily have arrived? It was scary.
I grabbed one of the gifts that I was looking for, (yay I found it!) and then I got the heck out of there. Then, like a fool, I went to WALMart. Where to my surprise, I found smiling customers, stocked shelves and pleasant employees. And one more of the gifts that I was looking for. Not once was I rammed into by someone who obviously had not showered in the last week or two, who was screaming at their children. It was amazing.
I am gaining my strength to continue my shopping forray this weekend, to finish up Danas Christmas and to buy Breannas Christmas. Pray for me.
** On a serious note** Please find it in your heart to give a gift to Toys for Tots this year. Donations are down, and we have thieves here stealing from the drop off locations here. Yes, its pathetic...
5 comments:
I went out today to grab a few last minute things. I am big about each kid having the same number of gifts to open if possible so I needed a few "little" things to open. We went to K-mart, ( I never...NEVER shop K-mart)and it was very easy, not busy,found a few things, took my time, and then left nearly 250.00 less than what I went in there with !!!! Good grief!
I HAVE TO BE DONE! I have to be. I MUST STAY OUT OF THE STORES!!! Don't let me go back, I am done!!
Have I convinced you yet?? good, remind me of that tomorrow will you!?
ps, still no tree up here! do you think he will get it out of the attic before Christmas? Want to make any wagers on it? The gifts are wrapped and sitting in the living room on the floor, just waiting to be placed under the tree. I think it is so funny!
Our stores are not busy at all...and Toys for Tots is always a worthy cause. Thanks for the reminder;)
You are one brave woman. Having gotten stuck in the mall parking lot due to traffic for 3 hours one Christmas Eve. I will never go back. I LOVE Walmart. I do have to go NEAR the mall to get to Kohl's this weekend for David some jeans, but I will go the back way and run in and out! LOL
No mall for me! I actually get ill when surrounded by all those people. I almost have a melt down, so it's best I just stay away! Our grandkids each get money so after Christmas they can shop for themselves and get twice as much on sale as they could have gotten before. So today I made my second trip to the bank.....have to spread it out over two SS checks you know! Then I am taking their money, rolling it up, and inserting it in those clear glass Christmas balls, writing their name on the ball and hanging them on my little tree! I think I'm pretty clever! So I have the 15 grand kids, one has a husband, and two have long time boy and girl friends, and they each have a glass ball on the tree, with money iinside. Easiest shopping I've ever done!
Funny but every time I have had to go to the stores or the mall it has been dead. I prepare myself for the crowds and nothing. No one here has any money to buy anything I guess.
And I gave to Toys For Tots, The Slavation Army, the Firefighter's Association AND tree that has the gifts for kids on it. (Can't remember the name)
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