June 17, 2019 at 4:00 p.m.
She'll need luck shopping for birthday
As I See It
Shopping isn’t as easy as it used to be. I have been looking and looking for a birthday present for my daughter’s birthday. Nothing jumps out and says it is exactly what she would like. I may give up and send her an orchid plant. She likes them and can keep them alive.
On the other hand, there are any number of things she might prefer. No matter what I choose, it won’t be practical. I learned that from my second mother-in-law. She always specified that any birthday money I received from her was to be used for something frivolous.
I miss being able to go downtown and find several stores to choose from. Those days are gone. The mall doesn’t count. I miss businesses that had wooden floors. I miss escalators and elevators. Do they still make escalators? For that matter, do wooden floors exist any more? No, not laminate. I mean real wood that squeaks when it is walked on?
Whatever happened to stores that had more than one floor? A long time ago, in Dayton, Ohio, the place to shop was Rike’s. It had nine floors plus a basement. Elder-Beerman’s had two or three floors. Even Kresge, a precursor to Kmart, had two floors. I can’t remember how long it has been since then. I realize that making places accessible is a consideration, but every multi-storied business I remember had elevators and people who were more than willing to help.
Online shopping is a choice I usually leave for last. The Internet has more businesses than I can count. I don’t like not being able to see and touch what I am buying before I pay for it. Then, again, I suppose that shows my age.
No matter what I ultimately decide, any gift I choose must go in the mail quickly. That is the price of living clear across the country from my daughter.
As always, the most important presents are those that can’t be bought in any store. We have tried our best to give her courage, love and understanding. We have tried to give her the ability to do important work. We always have time to talk and more importantly, listen to her. She is strong, both mentally and physically. We are proud of the independent woman she is.
Nevertheless, I still have to find something to mail to her. She has promised to tell me what she wants but hasn’t gotten around to it.
It was so much easier when she was a kid. All I had to do was buy whatever toy was the most popular at the time.
It seems like every family has at least one person who is hard to buy for. It may be because we aren’t familiar with their likes and needs. It may be because we don’t know them as well as we should. It may be because we have spent years ignoring their requests so they don’t bother to ask for what they want. Sometimes it is because our budgets are tight so that what we want to do for them is out of the question. Other times we know that if there is something they really want, it is likely that they already bought it for themselves.
The deadline for getting a present in the mail is quickly approaching. I have to pick something that tells her how much she means to us. Wish me luck.
On the other hand, there are any number of things she might prefer. No matter what I choose, it won’t be practical. I learned that from my second mother-in-law. She always specified that any birthday money I received from her was to be used for something frivolous.
I miss being able to go downtown and find several stores to choose from. Those days are gone. The mall doesn’t count. I miss businesses that had wooden floors. I miss escalators and elevators. Do they still make escalators? For that matter, do wooden floors exist any more? No, not laminate. I mean real wood that squeaks when it is walked on?
Whatever happened to stores that had more than one floor? A long time ago, in Dayton, Ohio, the place to shop was Rike’s. It had nine floors plus a basement. Elder-Beerman’s had two or three floors. Even Kresge, a precursor to Kmart, had two floors. I can’t remember how long it has been since then. I realize that making places accessible is a consideration, but every multi-storied business I remember had elevators and people who were more than willing to help.
Online shopping is a choice I usually leave for last. The Internet has more businesses than I can count. I don’t like not being able to see and touch what I am buying before I pay for it. Then, again, I suppose that shows my age.
No matter what I ultimately decide, any gift I choose must go in the mail quickly. That is the price of living clear across the country from my daughter.
As always, the most important presents are those that can’t be bought in any store. We have tried our best to give her courage, love and understanding. We have tried to give her the ability to do important work. We always have time to talk and more importantly, listen to her. She is strong, both mentally and physically. We are proud of the independent woman she is.
Nevertheless, I still have to find something to mail to her. She has promised to tell me what she wants but hasn’t gotten around to it.
It was so much easier when she was a kid. All I had to do was buy whatever toy was the most popular at the time.
It seems like every family has at least one person who is hard to buy for. It may be because we aren’t familiar with their likes and needs. It may be because we don’t know them as well as we should. It may be because we have spent years ignoring their requests so they don’t bother to ask for what they want. Sometimes it is because our budgets are tight so that what we want to do for them is out of the question. Other times we know that if there is something they really want, it is likely that they already bought it for themselves.
The deadline for getting a present in the mail is quickly approaching. I have to pick something that tells her how much she means to us. Wish me luck.
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
250 X 250 AD