Category Archives: target

Oh Silliness…

I did such an amazing job hiding the kids’ Christmas gifts, I don’t remember where I put them. I feel like a squirrel. Running around, hiding nuts. Except squirrels have better memories. Do squirrel’s give each other nuts for Christmas? Maybe some pecans or cashews. Not the everyday fair. I could probably do some research on squirrel Christmas habits. Fascinating business. I bet people would be lining up to read that.
The big gifts are easy to find. They are oddly shaped, and placed just above the children’s eye levels. So basically I put everything on the coffee table. It is the small trinkets that give me trouble. I thought I was being very clever and inventive with my hiding spots. Apparently I was, and outsmarted myself.
I will now spend the next several hours scavenging my house. Knowing me I probably put stuffed everything just out of reach in the children’s closet.
Speaking of their closet, I stopped at Target on the way home. I went in for frozen pizza and accidentally ended up in the little girl’s clothing section. They had some adorable little dresses that would look very nice on Munchie. Unfortunately they were around $100, and I couldn’t justify spending that for something she will only wear once for a few hours.
Now, I know what you are thinking, women do that all the time. Yes, you are right. But we can justify the purchase because we can tell ourselves that we will wear it “all the time!” And there are no physical restraints preventing this from becoming reality. I can still fit into the dress I bought for Heather’s wedding four years ago. Have I worn it since? No. But if I want to wear it, I have that option. Little girl’s clothing is different. I cannot trick myself into believing that this dress “is totally worth it because it will get a lot of use.” In a few months Munchie will outgrow it. So basically I can’t delude myself into shopping.
However, I did see this:
There are two things wrong with this jacket. It is too big for Munchie. It is too small for me.
And I think I remember where I put the children’s gifts. I will need a ladder.

Basketry On The Run

Today I am going to tell you how to make a gift basket on the run… you know… in the event you are being chased with an ax or something. The other day I had to make a last minute gift basket for a coworker. It was Tuesday night and I had all of one hour to do this. In my hunt for gift baskets I realized that these things are only in stores twice a year, and unfortunately this isn’t one of those times. No big deal, I can make my own!

I know, the suspense is killing you, so let me tell you right now, I did make my own, and it was wonderful. On a totally unrelated side note, this right here is why I could never write a novel. I would give away the ending before the finishing the first chapter. Now, as I am making my way through Target I figured the first thing I should find is a basket. Apparently those aren’t on sale this time of year either. Note to self: stock up at Easter! I found tons of wicker containers, but I cannot even imagine the amount of chocolate I would have to buy to fill one of these:

They had some small baskets in the children’s section. I found one that had Toto from The Wizard of Oz in it. It was cute, but I would have to remove him from it. I am sure the kids would love a new stuffed animal, but I think the basket was too small.

After circling the store in search of any other basketry items I had a brilliant idea. As I often do in times of panic. I mean, what is a gift basket? Does it really have to come in a basket? Why can’t it be a gift container? I found a beautiful little bucket. Perfect!
Then I went to candy aisle and picked out a bunch of Ghirardelli and Lindor Truffles chocolates, along with some other of my coworker’s favorites, and filled the pail nicely. She loves Almond Joys, and coincidentally so do I…. so there may be a few pieces missing.
Now all I needed was some cellophane wrap. Little did I know that that is also in stores only during select times each year. Guess what? This wasn’t the time.  I went to the gift wrap section and found nothing suitable. Target has a Christmas section up already. But no cellophane wrap. Well, I was feeling pretty creative right about now so I wandered around the store looking for anything I can use. I found some slow cooker liners made of cellophane! And they fit the gift basket! I went home, got out the tissue paper and ribbons, and in less than five minutes I had a beautiful gift “basket.”
Granted all this business took about an hour, I wasted a lot of time trying to find the traditional basket making materials. So next time you have to make a basket on the run, head straight for the grocery section!