You know how it goes-there is always one person (sometimes more) on your Christmas shopping list that is hard to buy for. Either you can’t decide what to buy for them or they simply have everything under the sun and there is nothing left to buy for them. That is the case with my mother in law. She has everything she wants and needs and each year it becomes stressful just trying to figure out the perfect gift for her.
This year I had half of the problem solved. I already knew what I was going to buy her. A few weeks ago my mother in law sent me to Stage, a local department store to buy a couple of pairs of “cheap” earrings. Stage was having a sale with up to 60% off a large portion of their jewelry in stock, including fine and costume jewelry.
I was sent off to shop with her birthday gift certificate, several discount coupons she had received in the mail and one cut from the sales advertisement along with her credit card. I was armed to find some great deals with all of my “weapons” and I did. I picked out two pairs of gemstone earrings set in sterling silver that ended up costing about $6.00 per pair.
My mother in law loved them so I decided that I would buy her another pair of gemstone earrings for Christmas which was only a couple months away. I was proud to have half of the battle won with knowing what I would purchase. I just needed to wait for another big sale at Stage.
The big sale arrived at the end of November and I snagged a 25% off entire purchase coupon for my shopping spree. The sale had a variety of jewelry, including gemstones, on sale for up to 60% off. Adding the 25% off coupon would be another good deal!
I arrived at the store and went directly to the jewelry department to scout out what was available. I found a pretty pair of amethyst earrings in 18K gold over silver that was originally $60.00. The earrings would be right under $20.00 after the discount and taxes. Perfect! I picked them up and went to browse the store and other sales.
I found a pantsuit and decided to try it on with the intentions of asking a sales associate at the cash register to hold my earrings while I went to the dressing room. However, the register near the dressing room was closed. I put the jewelry box on a shelf that had slippers stacked on it and went inside the dressing room.
When I came out of the dressing room, I went straight to the table where I left the jewelry box. Oh no! The box was gone. I glanced over to the register, which was now open and headed that way. I assumed the sales associate picked up my box and inquired. She told me no, that she had not picked the box up and went over to help me scout the area. No box in sight! Panic sets in.
I returned to the jewelry department to find another pair. I had picked up the only pair of amethyst earrings they had in stock. I was very disappointed in my shopping trip, especially since I knew what I wanted to buy, found it and then lost it. So much for the perfect Christmas gift for my mother in law this year, we are back to the starting point!