Common statements like, “I hate Christmas shopping, I
don’t know what to get anyone, I can’t afford to
shop, I hate the crowds and I can never find the advertised
sale items, are repeated often this time of year.
It just seems Christmas shopping is a nerve-racking task. Add
to that the fact the weather can be down right terrible to
even go out in. As I see it, a shopping list made out just
before the shopping spree also adds a lot of tension and it
can contribute to an over-all unpleasant experience that continues
right up to the last moments of Christmas Eve.
Well,
the self-inflicted, unpleasant task I described can be avoided.
Given a little extra time, instead of being in
a big
rush, you’ll find opportunities to do unique buying for
those on your list. You can find gifts that are very special
and suited to the recipients. Between Christmas and New Years
this year, while trying to decide what to do with — and
where to store your new gifts (that may well be re-gifted),
think about how it could all be done differently.
About the time most Christmas shoppers are in full gear and
stores are jammed with long lines of those hoping to get the
special sale items (Black Friday came early remember?), we
make our annual trek south and shopping is last on our list
of things to do. We used to arrive at our winter home and race
out to shop, wrap and ship by the deadline. We found we bought
items not wanted or needed and had a hard time even deciding
whom to give them to. Then time was wasted standing in line
at the Post Office only to find out if we wanted the boxes
there by Christmas we could spend more on shipping.
It
became obvious we had to change our shopping habits or cancel
our trips to Florida — an easy choice
of course. I suggested we could just send a check because
as grandkids
get older their
ideas of what they want become blurred. No longer could
we choose a dolly or Lego set. Once they began driving,
gas
cards were a good choice and other useful gift cards
worked
well
too.
We
still wanted to get a few heartfelt gifts, ones that were
special and told the recipient we were truly
thinking
of
them. My wife, Pat, had a great idea this year; shop
early and select
special gifts just right for those on her list. She
is a big fan of shopping locally and enjoys the small
shops
in
our little
town. On Saturdays all summer long she dropped into
the Farmers Market in Port Austin to select gifts.
We can’t
share what they were because our kids read the column
all over
the country, but we can say they are all wonderful,
hand crafted
by true artisans. Some of the home-designed clothing,
wood work, quilts, lamps and local area framed photos
stretch
the imagination. Many of the crafters would even
make something to order, including knitted items
or sketching.
One of
the items Pat chose for herself is a drying rack,
made with PVC
dowels the likes of which you would never find in
a store.
This
year, the Thumb Art Guild (TAG) presented another opportunity
to do some special shopping. They sponsored
a “Silver
Bells Weekend” event in Port Austin where you could meet
and greet the artist and buy or order a gift of your choice.
The nice thing about shopping this way is you benefit local
artists and are able to take the “rush” out
of shopping.
I
would like to add, you don’t have to break
the piggy bank either, most items are reasonably
priced. Another local
opportunity to shop is at the Thumb Industries
locations, where slightly used items can be bought
for great
bargains.
So — as
you collapse after finishing your Christmas shopping, have
a cup of hot cocoa and
a homemade
cookie (you did make
some, right?). Light a fire in the fireplace
and make plans for your family Christmas dinner
get-togethers
Please
try not to think of me here in the “sunny” south.
I would like to wish all my readers and the dedicated employees
of the Huron Tribune, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Correction: My column last week about MS Turanor PlanetSolar
noted the weight of the lithium battery as 13 tons - the correct
weight is 11 tons.