I'm not a shopper. A single visit to Target or IKEA induces a few day's worth of hot flashes, and only a true emergency can prompt me to set foot in a mall. When my husband told me he was starving last week, he wasn't exaggerating. I simply had been avoiding the grocery store for weeks.
My resistance to hit up the stores increased when I became a work-at-home mom. After outings, laundry, play dates, cleaning, projects and meal prep, there's no time to worry about the latest greatest sale.
But with the holidays on the horizon, I have to suck it up. Shopping is unavoidable at this time of year.
Sure. I could just sit down in front of the computer, click a few buttons, and wait for gifts to arrive at my door. But, when it comes to gift-giving, I'm an overachiever. If I can't determine exactly what someone wants, I aim to give a unique gift that has a connection to where I live.
Besides, if I am going to shop, I like to shop local — an easy thing to do in downtown Brighton.
My favorite go-to gift this year is a ticket to a show at the (BCPA).
With two shows left in its adult series and a four-show children's series that kicks off in late January, the BCPA has something for almost everyone on my list. For my six-year-old and ten-year-old nieces: tickets to “Cool Tricks and Funny Stuff,” a combination magic and comedy show. For my grandmother: tickets to “Rich Little Presents: A Tribute to Jimmy Stewart.” For my wonderfully neighborly neighbors: tickets to “Good Mischief – A Musical Celebration for Children and the Whole Family.”
Tickets range in price from $10 to $31. Love a good bargain? Buy one ticket to all four children's series shows for $28.
To pick up gifts for everyone else on my list, I've got a plan to hit Main Street for a few hours next week.
- For my husband: custom frames for a series of family photos from .
- For my 20-month-old son: toys from and stocking stuffers from
- For my mom: a Christmas keepsake from .
- For my dad: a hand-blown glass garden ornament from .
- For my mother-in-law: specialty soaps and lotions from .
- For my father-in-law: a tie from .
- For my 40-something fashionista sister: accessories from .
- For my 30-something homebody sister: cute sleepwear from .
- For my artsy sister-in-law and brother-in-law: a one-of-a-kind work of art from .
- For my 9-month-old nephew: an non-toxic and eco-friendly wooden toy from .
- For my 2 ½-year-old niece: a play tea set from .
- For my 10-year-old nephew and 11-year-old niece: brain-boosting board games and art supplies from .
- For my 13-year-old nephew: a hip belt from .
- For my three 20-something nieces: accessories or clothing from .
After all that shopping, I'll need to treat myself to something special. Hot chocolate from and a stroll under the lighted trees at Mill Pond Park should do the trick.
