The Rules of Shopping

I have basically one person to buy for this year......MOM! (let me first explain why I'm only buying for one)

Our family agreed a few years ago that we all wanted to bail on the presents Idea---we did--it's been awesome! I can't tell you how much more enjoyable the holidays have been with the pressure of "gifts," alleviated! John and I have never really done gifts for any holidays. We just don't like the idea of forced gift giving---we do make purchases through out the year but they are always a surprise!

Ask yourself a question this year before you purchase that gift for someone, "can I afford this?" No wait, ask yourself one more, "am I giving out of obligation or out of the sheer spirit of giving?" We've found in our family...it was more obligation than desire. We have a desire to see each other, eat great food, relax, and be entertained watching the little ones open their gifts. I guess it's just not our love language---so why stress over it if no one really cares?

My brothers and I do like to get our parents something.....they more than deserve it. My mom is a riot to buy for--there are a million things I can get her and I know she will love them all. She is really very easy to buy for, which makes giving to her-a joy not a stress.

SO---today I went to tackle the shopping for her. I knew what I wanted and I found it---I love it! Aside from that....the experience in itself taught me a few treasures of wisdom for the years to come.

1. Do not shop with small children at a busy store. No one wants to hear kids screaming or parents yelling at their kids in public. It's awkward for everyone.
2. Walk at a fast pace when in the middle of a walkway. Not everyone is in the mood to literally breeze through the store-some people don't want to wait for you to look at every item you pass leaving no room to get around.
3. If I ever say out loud, "I'll just get myself this for Christmas" ---this trip has become about me and the giving just became selfish.
4. Don't shop on an empty stomach....that makes for grumpy people (that might have been me today)
5. If a man is in the woman's section holding up a shirt with a confused look...point him to a sales associate to help him analyze the size he needs to get...not the size he thinks he should get.

Happy Shopping! I'm delighted with my purchases and ecstatic to be finished! I hope whatever you give or get is truly delightful!