Retail Deliverance

Today was spent shopping for gifts for our adopt-a-family families.   I was prepared with the wish lists and recommendations for each of the families.  To maximize our funds and minimize the effort, we decided to hit Walmart  and Fleet Farm to get what we needed. 

Surprisingly, Wal-mart wasn’t as scary as usual.  It was busy but I didn’t feel like I needed a bullet-proof vest this time.  There have been occasions that I’ve visited during the wee hours of the a.m. to do some Santa shopping and found parents out shopping with young kids at 1 a.m.  For me, there’s nothing like a good race to my car with the Vice Lords to arouse that Christmas Spirit! 

Fleet Farm.  What a trip!  I instantly felt under-dressed, like I was missing something.  Like a freakin Davy Crockett hat, perhaps?  ”Dueling Banjos” ran through my mind in an endless loop the entire time I was in the store.   Surely I would bump into end-caps loaded with Deliverance videos.  Although I am not usually one to notice what other people are purchasing, I couldn’t help but spot a guy buying 2 sets of electronic toy revolvers with holsters.   Great gift idea if you plan on sending the kids to Omaha shopping (or to Boys Town).  I should have checked under his cart to see if he had any fertilizer or other bomb making supplies to fill Christmas stockings.   A hundred dollars could have been mine had I bet my friend that he got into a pick-up truck with a gun rack in the back window.  An extra fifty for Playboy mudflaps?  My assessment of Christmas at Fleet Farm is that it’s a wintertime version of the State Fair.  Wife-beaters are mandatory.  Teeth are optional. 

It was a great day topped with some retail amusement.  We got a TON of gifts for our families and a few of the ladies in my Bunko group met up after shopping for a wrapping party.  It was fun to hang out and do something that will hopefully bring joy to people in need.  I wish we could be there when they open their gifts.  It would be great to see if they have as much fun receiving as we’ve had giving.  Once again, I am amazed at how kind and generous people can be.   This is truly the joy of the season!

~ by karmental on December 9, 2007.