Shopping for that special someone

Gifts, gifts and more gifts. The B.F. and I went shopping on Saturday at the busiest mall ever, right before a mild snow storm. I didn't write down a list. Maybe that was my first problem. I thought I'd glide through stores, see something that caught my eye and grab it, gift wrapped and all. Nope. Not even close. I became confused, blinded and started to get a headache. What if they don't like it? Does she have something like this? Shit. M.A.C or NARS? There's so much pressure to buy your friends and family the perfect gift. I don't like giving gift cards -- I'd rather have you return it. Opening a gift is half the fun! Take the B.F. for example. For the past year and a half, I've bought Christmas and birthday gifts. Now, has he liked everything? Ummm. Well, not necessarily. I loved the light purple shirt, but he thought it was a little progressive -- even for him. (Seriously, the kid wears a light pink shirt. The purple shirt was on sale and in the general realm of pink, so I thought it was a shoe-in. I was shot down.)

I really want to achieve that great look. The look that goes something like this: "OMG, this is most perfect gift. How did you know?" I strive to achieve the really, really genuine how-did-you-know expression.

I didn't pull off the look or even buy anything. I got so irritated with the people in Sephora and every other store. Mostly because women were stopping, talking and carrying on long conversations in front of doorways, Starbucks line and other high-traffic areas. Why not! Because that almost makes sense. The worst is when both have strollers and you politely say, "excuse me," but they can't hear you. It's hopeless. Then you try and squeeze yourself between both strollers -- never works.

FYI -- I'm one of those women who avoids having conversations in congested areas. Don't get me wrong, I'll blatantly carry on a conversation with a long-lost college friend in the mall. I just try to not piss off the rest of the shoppers when we are shoulder to shoulder in a jam packed mall.

Bah humbug.


Still, I need to shop for a few select people.