I really dislike shopping in general, but
particularly during the holidays. It's not like I don't
want to give gifts to people; it must be an allergy thing.
As I get out of my car after parking at the mall or
somewhere, my hands start sweating, my legs start to feel
weak, my eyesight gets blurry, I find it hard to talk. If I
actually make it into a store, I usually compound my
problems when I realize I have no idea (or I've completely
forgotten) what I'm looking for. Since this is clearly a
medical condition, one Christmas morning I just gave my
loved ones a doctor's note stating that I was excused from
shopping that year. I wrapped up the note and everything,
but for some reason it was not well received.
Okay, this really didn't happen, but I was close to going that far a couple of times. Often I've thought, I'll just make something artsy and crafty in order to avoid actual shopping. "Merry Christmas, son, here's acorns and oak leaves glued on a piece of binder paper." When the kids were little, they got away with this all the time a piece of pottery that looked like it went through a nuclear meltdown, or a drawing that was supposed to be our dog but had more of the appearance of a hamburger or a Rorschach inkblot drawing. Admit it, you have some of these gems buried in your closet.
I hear you all saying, "Why don't you use that thing called the Internet to buy your gifts, and you never even have to get out of your chair?" Well, this takes something called "planning" and "organization," and it's usually Dec. 23 by the time I think about online shopping. And anyway, when I finally do muster the energy to face the buying masses, I would actually rather shop locally and spread my money around Sonoma Valley.
I've never understood the allure of shopping anyway, especially made-up marketing gimmicks like Black Friday. Why people would wake up at 4 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving to stand in line in order to save $15 on a toaster is beyond my comprehension. People have actually been killed on Black Friday. Fights have broken out, and mad rushes have ensued. It's not for the faint of heart or intelligent of brain.
There have been some glimpses of sanity this year, though, with efforts to get people out of the stores and wait for it outside! The outdoor retailer, REI, closed all its stores on Black Friday and paid its employees to enjoy the outdoors. California State Parks offered free admission on Black Friday this year.
I think I'll apply this concept to Christmas."Children, I give you the gift of open space!"
I'll let you know how it goes.
Alec
Okay, this really didn't happen, but I was close to going that far a couple of times. Often I've thought, I'll just make something artsy and crafty in order to avoid actual shopping. "Merry Christmas, son, here's acorns and oak leaves glued on a piece of binder paper." When the kids were little, they got away with this all the time a piece of pottery that looked like it went through a nuclear meltdown, or a drawing that was supposed to be our dog but had more of the appearance of a hamburger or a Rorschach inkblot drawing. Admit it, you have some of these gems buried in your closet.
I hear you all saying, "Why don't you use that thing called the Internet to buy your gifts, and you never even have to get out of your chair?" Well, this takes something called "planning" and "organization," and it's usually Dec. 23 by the time I think about online shopping. And anyway, when I finally do muster the energy to face the buying masses, I would actually rather shop locally and spread my money around Sonoma Valley.
I've never understood the allure of shopping anyway, especially made-up marketing gimmicks like Black Friday. Why people would wake up at 4 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving to stand in line in order to save $15 on a toaster is beyond my comprehension. People have actually been killed on Black Friday. Fights have broken out, and mad rushes have ensued. It's not for the faint of heart or intelligent of brain.
There have been some glimpses of sanity this year, though, with efforts to get people out of the stores and wait for it outside! The outdoor retailer, REI, closed all its stores on Black Friday and paid its employees to enjoy the outdoors. California State Parks offered free admission on Black Friday this year.
I think I'll apply this concept to Christmas."Children, I give you the gift of open space!"
I'll let you know how it goes.
Alec