Holiday Shopping

"The holidays, it is generally accepted, are a time of giving, ofsharing, a period when a spirit of generosity sweeps the land. Behindthe snow-globe fantasy, however, lies another, slightly skewedportrait of the seasonal altruism. For a lot of consumers the lineappears to be blurring between giving and receiving. And the personone seems likeliest to shop for come December is, increasingly,oneself."
The New York Times, December 14, 2004

Andrea's shopping list: Mom, Dad, Stepdad, Sister, Grandma, Boyfriend, Roommates

Thursday night, after work, account balance high with newly deposited paycheck, comfortable walking shoes on, iPod fully charged.

First stop: Jasmine Sola, trendy Newbury Street boutique. Looking for: Gift for sister. Actually bought: skirt on sale for self. White lie told to 20 year old salesclerk who asked if I'd had a chance to try it on: "No, but it's a gift, so I don't need to try iton."

Second stop: Gap. Looking for: Gift for boyfriend and Dad. Actually bought: 2 scarves--one each for boyfriend and dad. DID NOT BUY: silky pajamas forself...the guilt from Jasmine Sola was still too great.

Third stop: Lush, fancy soap store. Looking for: gifts for three roommates and mom. Actually bought: 4 soaps total...and a total of $45-- on soap!! Mental Status check: A little hungry and a lot proud for going into TWO stores and not buying self anything.

Fourth stop: Restoration Hardware. Looking for: stocking stuffers for everyone. Actually bought: stocking stuffers for everyone.

Fifth stop: Anthropologie, aka, the rich woman's link to a nostalgiac past. Looking for: Mom, Grandma, sister. Actually bought: jacket for mom,perfume for Grandma...and a sexy shirt for self-- I needed it, really,for New Year's. In fact, it could potentially go into the "boyfriend"category since he'll benefit by looking at me looking hot in the lowcut shirt...Mental Status check: A little delirious, fairly hungry,hands and feet hurt.

Last stop: Marshall's, aka, the lowbrow alternative to Anthropologie,when you realize your paycheck should be used for things other than"gifts"-- things like rent and bills. Sigh. Looking for: Anything to make up the balance of everything I haven't got people on the list. Actually bought: $5 Picture frame forboyfriend (after $30 leather frame from Restoration Hardware was rejected). Trouser socks for self (a small, but needed, purchase).Mental status check: starving, tired, broke.

Found: 2 crumpled dollars in wallet, enough to get me home.