Like so many, I spend the last few weeks trying to fit my holiday shopping into my schedule to avoid the mad dash to the malls. I don’t particularly enjoy shopping in big box stores. I miss the romance of shopping in Europe with the delicate smell of spiced wine and fresh baked goods perfuming the air. The little shops are a delight and their owners carry ready smiles. If you visited a store prior they welcome you like family. That kind of shopping experience is something I savor. It’s the kind of experience which help you get into the holiday spirti. These days going shopping feels more like a blood sport. If I dare visit a box store I will be greeted by messy shelfs, wrinkled cloth, rude shoppers and staff. When you do get a friendly employee it feels like winning a lottery ticket. I do have to give credit to one store, a big shout out to Boscov management! From all the stores I visited that one was the one I did not feel like cattle. One of the art supply stores decided to put supplies behind a lock. With the lack of proper staffing they must loose so many sales. Little to say my outings to stores have become less enjoyable and the coin toss to shop online or in a physical store has become easier. One of the kind unique gifts are still my preference and I search out places to find them. In addition, I seek our ways a gift can be more. I look for products which have their proceeds go to good causes for instand. This is how the Rowan U. President Houshman’s hot sauce found a place into some of my families stocking. Its proceeds go to an emergency scholarship fund. How amazing is that? I hope Rowan University considers extending selling more products. Their holiday lunches would help so many including students and faculty after finals. Those little gems are nice surprises and treasures to be found. Other places are farmers market, artist co-ops, studios, and galleries. Double bonus those funds stay in my community. Perhaps next year I create my own little treasure map ahead of time to do my gift shopping. It will be a gift to myself to make the experience pleasant and truly a shopping therapy to enjoy. Bringing my shopping and giving karma to a wholenew level.
Thank’s to people like you, artist can continue creating and supporting their families. You are our treasures. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year
Iris
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