Tag Archives: Christmas shopping

Getting Christmas Ready

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For the last few months, I have been laboring under the belief I have all the time in the world to prepare for Christmas.

Turns out, that’s not true. Friends, Christmas is next week. Did you know that? Evidently, I haven’t been paying attention.

My list of people to shop for is pretty short compared to most but I want to get it right and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find things I actually want to give.

This has led to procrastination on my part.

On Monday night, I made a list of all the things that still needed to be bought, wrapped, mailed, baked, cooked, cleaned and otherwise negotiated and it occurred to me that I might be in trouble. But I wrapped almost everything, inventoried baking supplies and got almost all the cards ready to mail.

Almost.

But, as I sat at work yesterday and struggled to focus on a task at hand, it occurred to me that my window for acquiring the last few gift items I needed and some supplies for a potluck dish this weekend was rapidly closing.

So I did something I prefer to avoid and dashed to Chillicothe after work for a quick trip down Bridge Street to grab what I needed.

I had braced for a stressful experience, thinking that traffic and lines would worsen as all us 9 to 5’ers invaded the stores. After all, when you work all day, you fit in those errands where you can!

But it wasn’t too busy, I got what I went for, and made it home at a semi-reasonable hour. Even more notably, most people seemed to be in a decent mood. I thought it was festive and great fun as I turned up the Christmas music and enjoyed the holiday lights along the way!

I’m calling that a success.

In all, the thing I have dreaded and procrastinated wasn’t so bad. That’s usually how it goes!

How are you doing with your Christmas preparations? Are you one of those people who was done in September or do you fly by the seat of your pants like me? Do tell!

Notes From The Field: Christmas Edition

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My holiday vacation is in full swing. Yesterday I headed to a neighboring town to pick up produce for Christmas Eve veggie lasagna and to do a little fun shopping. 

Yesterday was relaxing because, aside from retrieving produce, all my Christmas chores were pretty much done. The shopping and wrapping are done. I am going to make some more cookies and fudge today but it should be pretty low key. In fact, I don’t plan to start my car again until Tuesday because if I haven’t bought it yet I probably don’t need it anyway.

This is going to sound mean but I always enjoy hitting the stores a couple of days before Christmas when all my shopping is done and everyone else is frantically buying whatever stuff they can find. It makes me appreciate the serenity that comes with planning ahead and that inner calm allows for some pretty fabulous people watching. 

While in a vendor mall called Peddlar’s Junction, I overheard an elderly woman answer the phone and then proceed to tell the caller that she wouldn’t be home for a while. “Yes dear, we hope to see you too. We’re out running some errands right now. We’re very busy,” she said as she examined a vintage candlestick.

 I liked her style. 

Incidentally, if I ever tell you I’m out running errands, know that I’m probably at TJ Maxx smelling candles and buying pajamas. I’m probably stopping at a vendor mall and a bookstore too.

While walking through another store’s very busy parking lot, I witnessed a dirty maroon minivan make a turn on two wheels. The windows were cracked and vintage Johnny Cash blared from the speakers. When the driver climbed out, I couldn’t help but notice she was wearing Christmas pajamas and had a cigarette hanging out of her mouth while wrangling a youngster. That takes skill. 

She would make a great character for that book I may write someday. 

Lunch was cheese pizza, enjoyed in the car while I people watched and listened to Christmas music. Whoever cut the pizza seemed to have never cut or maybe never seen a pizza before. It was cut in odd sizes and shapes – one slice a sliver of no more than an inch at its widest and the one next to it at least a quarter of the pie. None of the pieces were pointy. It was bizarre. 

Part of the reason I went for a car lunch is that by the time I got around to eating, all the restaurants were full with folks waiting for tables. Even the fast food restaurants had long drive-thru lines. The other reason is that I wanted to hear Christmas music and feared it wouldn’t happen in a restaurant since it wasn’t happening in the stores. Why? After all, the stores were rocking around the Christmas tree and blaring Mariah Carey on November 1. On December 22, there was no festive music but a pile of Valentine’s stuff already on the shelves.

As Charlie Brown would say, “Good grief.”

All told, folks were patient and nice even in places where the wait was long. I chatted up most of my cashiers and not one of them claimed to be ready for the holiday. All complained they had spent so much time at work lately they had no desire to go shopping in their free time. I try to be extra nice to retail workers because it isn’t their fault that everyone waits till the last minute to shop. Not to mention, they aren’t paid that well and it has to be hard watching everyone come through buying things their families might love to receive but they can’t afford to buy on their wages.

Another common theme was the presence of people talking on their phones in stores. If you’re one of those people, note that you aren’t very fast or efficient while you wander around chatting up Sally Sue about who-knows-what. There’s likely someone behind you that wants to reach around you (or maybe just knock you down) so they can  grab something off the shelf you’re aimlessly blocking. 

Ha! Can you tell I hate phones in stores? 

 In all, it was a great day of  much needed quality time with myself. I found several bargains and a few things I couldn’t live without. As much as I enjoyed this excursion, I was glad to come home with my treasures, light up the tree and turn on the Christmas music. 

Are you ready for the holiday?

Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland

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At Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, you can celebrate Christmas 361 days a year. This Frankenmuth, Michigan landmark is the size of about one and a half football fields and is packed with trees, ornaments and lots of other things you need to celebrate the holiday.

Their slogan is “We’ve been making spirits bright since 1945.”

Bright spirits, indeed.

This place is almost overwhelming but it sure was fun to tackle. Their 6,000 ornaments are organized by topic like Santa, snowmen, birds, nativity, nautical, sports and pets .

Brands like Precious Moments, Jim Shore Department 56 and Hummel have their own area. There’s a forest of trees of all sizes and colors, lights, garland, angels, ornaments from around the world, outdoor decor and more. They even have a section where they will personalize your ornaments. If you’re playing Santa Claus, they have beautiful Santa suits, glasses and sleigh bells.

I really like the Department 56 stuff but I don’t collect it.

This little vintage reindeer was adorable. I kind of wish I had bought him.

These angels were tempting too.

Don’t worry. The map they give you at the door will help you navigate the store and the snack stand provides a place to rest and refuel.

Outside, you’ll find Silent Night Chapel, a small chapel they built to honor the Carol “Silent Night.”

Come back at dark to see their incredible outdoor light display. Honestly, I have paid good money to see light displays that weren’t this good.

My expectations were low but I really loved this place. That statement is true of all of Frankenmuth, also called Little Bavaria. We had a lovely visit here but it was too short and I’m dying to go back another time. In fact, I would not mind going back closer to Christmas to sip hot chocolate and browse the Christmas selection when it’s actually time to decorate and celebrate the holiday.

Come back tomorrow and we’ll talk about another leg of this journey!