I am finishing up my shopping. I have visited many downtown stores including Smiths Market, Ace Hardware, Apron Strings, Gallery 7, Brick House, Amelia Beadelia, Ten Thousand Villages, Norvells, Midwest Feed and Necessities.
I believe I have found things that the recipients will enjoy, AND kept my business in Hutchinson, with small business owners and artists. This was neither hard nor time consuming. I spent 1/20 of the time I would have, had I gone to the Mall Dept. Stores or Walmart, Target, or off to Wichita. That is a gift to myself!
I was probably much less distracted in the smaller shops and didn't end up buying anything frivolous or that I didn't really want at all!
Everyone had a smile, and was able to help me with whatever I needed.
I enjoy giving gifts. My favorite gift giving times are not on Holidays, or Birthdays, but at any time throughout the year, when I see something that reminds me of someone, or I find something I just know someone will like. There is never any pressure and never a thought of how little the item cost, because it is an anytime gift. I have handed over numerous items from my household, because a friend has fallen in love with it, and out of my mouth comes, "Here, take it home." Gifts come in all forms, and values. Sometimes they have no shape at all. I have given many gifts that are priceless, and not even physically tangible. I have given gifts to family, and to people I hardly know. My French professor was surprised when only three weeks into the semester, I handed her a France inspired charm bracelet, complete with Eiffel Tower, that I had found at a 'junk' store.
