[ginger heart, blue icing; 2011]
But town was dispiriting on Friday. Clothes shops full of synthetic party-wear crackled as I walked past. Plastic toys in non-pastel colours made loud noises. Stacked shelves of gift sets signified mankind's primeval need for two soaps, some talcum powder and a lilac wash-mitt.
I don't want to buy the disposable junk; I want to inflict my taste upon future generations. "Oh yes, our Great Great Aunt Mise gave us that sturdy cushion. It's very nice. She says we're mentioned in her will."
So I decided to shop online instead. I have my credit card beside me here, and any minute now I'll type "present for my friend X and her lovely family" -"terrible tat" -"garish plastic" -"acrylic OR viscose OR polyester" +"exquisite" +"pass off as homemade" +"delivery to Ireland", and then I'll click on "I'm Feeling Lucky." I'm not Feeling Lucky, but one must put up a brave front.
Here I am, wrapping a warm and cozy blanket of grumpiness and general DOAN WANNA GO TO WORKedness around my shoulders, and you go and make me laugh.
ReplyDeleteEven you my dear Mise can take online shopping to a whole new level. Bah humbug indeed. It is ever so cold here today. Stay warm by the stove.
ReplyDeleteThat's a technique well worth exploring. It has to be better than staring glassy eyed at the groaning shelves and being forced to inhale fake cinnamon fumes.
ReplyDeleteCan't we have the decanter and cheese anyway?
ReplyDeleteI do all my Christmas shopping online, or at Waitrose (early on weekday mornings). It's the only way to stay sane.
ReplyDeleteOne Christmas I knitted all the presents. It took me tons of time (that was before the blog, the book promotion, the novel-writing) but I enjoyed sitting at home by the fire knitting and enjoying the snow from inside the house, and only going to the store for the usual groceries and household items. It was a blissful Christmas.
ReplyDeleteOne solution is to fall out with all your friends after they have given you a present, then you don't have to give one in return!
ReplyDeleteMoney is always welcome, Mise (Tom Stephenson, 17 Railway Cuttings, Bath, Somerset).
ReplyDeleteThat's great, Tom. I had worried that you might find it too soulless, but now I can send the sizeable cheque right along.
ReplyDeleteMarianne, I hope you didn't go to work. So needless, so time-consuming.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of a sturdy cushion for Christmas, Mise. I may have to do something similar...as my legacy. Hmmm...what about the substantial blanket, the hefty bedspread or the robust mittens?
ReplyDeleteA ginger heart would make me very happy. Children are harder to find gifts for, at least where I live. I have a fantasy that in PFW children get excited over wooden toys, penny candy, a box of 64 crayons. Something like A Child's Christmas in Wales
ReplyDeleteWe seem to have fallen out of the gift giving here.
ReplyDeleteNo children to worry about and work is so insanely allaboutChristmas that I just don't care anymore.
A nice meal, some sleep, maybe a fur blanket and I'm all good.
Business class tickets to the Motherland wouldn't go amiss either.
I see, I'll accept gifts I just won't be buying any.
Glad to have worked this all out here. Back to my Maeve Binchy.
xo jane
I have done ALL of my Christmas shopping online and not a Lily of the Valley soap in sight !! ....and, whilst shopping online, one can have a glass of wine in one hand and a mince pie in the other. Perfect I'd say and no aching feet either. XXXX
ReplyDeletei love you , i don't want you to get me anything, i won't get you anything either. why can't everyone be like you and me .
ReplyDeleteJen, we like to think that too. Time will tell, or the faces of disappointed children in PFW. I may go for a box of 65 crayons this year as school has made the girls aware of what other children get; once 64 would surely have been enough.
ReplyDeleteJane, this glimpse of your admirable thought processes is in itself a gift.
ReplyDeleteKeep this quiet, please - would anyone else like the small Garden & Orchard Centre and the Fine Fabric Emporium with Haberdashery Counter I'd bought for Jaboopee before I realised that she didn't want me to get her anything?
ReplyDeletei take it all back...i mean, it's all about giving ..isn't it
ReplyDeleteWell Mise my dear, of course you are shopping online....one who spends so much time in blogtopia wouldn't be shopping anywhere else, now would they?
ReplyDeleteMise , I`d take that lovely ginger biscuit over anything you could buy at the mall, or online.
ReplyDeleteHello Mise
ReplyDeleteI love the gingerbread heart but can I have mine with a ribbon of pink icing and one of blue icing, then I will know it was a team effort from the Kitchen of PFW.
Helenxx
Oh dear, is it Christmas soon? Why didn't someone tell me!
ReplyDeleteYou see the snag with doing almost all of your shopping online is that those thoughtful advance warnings - Easter eggs on the supermarket shelves in January, Christmas crackers ditto in June - just pass you by!
You're my official 'go to' person for search tags, Mise. Godspeed on your quest...
ReplyDeleteSo thoughtful of you, thinking of little 'ol me!!
ReplyDeleteYou have just described my Christmas dilemma. I went Christmas shopping yesterday with an elderly neighbour, it was cold and raining and NOT a joyous occasion. The tired old tat in the shops looked scarcely better than the odd assortment of Christmas decorations strewn about the place.
ReplyDeleteI want wonder and joy and something beautiful - but WHERE.
I think I shall hibernate and come out mid March or in time for Easter eggs.
ha ha I like the idea of inflicting your taste on future generations! And that ginger heart would make a lovely gift!
ReplyDeleteHmmm...let me think? Cosied up by the fire, computer on lap, wee glass of wine in hand OR stomping around Walmart, overcome by the sheer size of the cart, all the while trying to avoid woman with the pepper spray!
ReplyDeleteYes...decision made!
Why don't you do as I do? Collect all of your children's beautiful broken toys and turn them into garlands for each one of your friends and family. They will remember you and your plastic colours forever and the house will be tidy for Xmas. Plastic by my side as I shop internet too. May I recommend Paperboat Press on Big Cartel?
ReplyDeletexxx
i'd love a stout wash cloth if you cross paths with one. other than that some tea bags labelled with crap jokes that taste woefull would be just fine. we're all busy this time of year, i understand.
ReplyDeleteNoooo! Just make us some bread!
ReplyDeleteI guarantee if you put all that in to google you will indeed be lucky, and quite possibly amazed at the suggestions you receive. And the wine and mince pie a la Jacqueline is always helpful.
ReplyDeleteI hope the shopping went well. I simply adore your ginger heart.
ReplyDeleteI fantasise about creating gifts for all those I love, made by me with my very own two hands ... and then I go and buy something instead.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to try your method, thank you
x
Lovely to hear from you, I am avoiding town at all costs it is the same old tat every year, the attack of buggies on ankles and shins This is the first year I am not catering for 8 adults and 5 kids, just himself and 2 kids, I want the laziest Christmas ever!
ReplyDeletePass me the wine and cheese!
Take care
Denise
Isn't it annoying that school allows the little folk to find out about things? My little angels are in the same class as small children with actual iphones and laptops. Not even that extra crayon can mollify them when they open yet another book... Oh dear. How sad.
ReplyDeleteGood, brave Mise.
ReplyDeleteAnd ditto Amee!
ReplyDeleteMise, you turned the soccer mom inside out. By the way that ginger heart would make a perfect Christmas Pressie for me to dip in my tea. Ship International ? I didn't mean to rhyme.
ReplyDeleteI'll be perfectly content and happy with the decanter, cheese, a whiff of sourdough bread baking in the oven, and your company...then afterwards, some homemade Pink & Blue Christmas sweets accompanied by song...so please save your fingers for mushing dough, and then start decanting!
ReplyDeletexo J~
Your wit, and imagination is always the gift that gives time and time again. I"m a cyber shopper here. Shopping is only fun out of the home when you want to. When there's zero seasonal pressure, and nasty taunting by the man in the white beard and baggy red velour suit.
ReplyDeleteJust thinking of it makes me scurry for my chessboard and decanter.
You do make me smile Mise... And I vote for the cheese and decanter! Love "Ginger heart,with blue icing 2011" description too! X
ReplyDeleteMise you Always cheer me up!! I am staying in today and may even order a couple of online gifts!
ReplyDeletePlease Come and enter in Our 12 Days of Holiday Giveaways. There are so many exciting & special Gifts!(some international like Novica)
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Perfect - exactly the right way to do it. Don't forget to check myvouchercodes.com or similar for the elicit promise of a 10% discount code that doesn't work.
ReplyDeletehahah awesome!!
ReplyDeletecheers
~pooch xx
It was a perfect plan! I had the same theory too... and yup nothing is wrapped etc etc. Oh well, there's always 2012!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you there's way too much plastic junk around at this time of year! I just stumbled across your lovely blog & I look forward to popping back for some more inspiration. I have just signed up as your latest follower!
ReplyDeletex
Melissah
Just realised your don't have a followers button anyway I'll be back soon.
ReplyDeletePs love the illustrations in your next post!
x
Melissah