January 10, 2008
So, I have to tell you, you MUST shop at Antique stores for Christmas next year. Because this is the difference:
At the mall where Avril Lavigne is the store manager, “Lady, I can’t help you right now. Or in a minute. Or ever. I don’t care enough about this job and they don’t pay me enough to care about you. Plus, I’m totally Avril Lavigne, where do you get off asking me to do ANYTHING.” Not to mention that there are fifty BILLION people trying to get Avril’s attention at the same time as you and you HATE to have to body slam anyone to the floor again like last Christmas.
Then pan over to the Antique store where Old Mother Hubbard is the cashier, “Come along Dear, I’ll open that display case for you, you don’t fret. And then I’ll hold the item ever so carefully in my charming, wrinkled hands and give you a brief history on the origins of the delicate, wee item of interest. We can then walk back up to the front desk while listening to the muted elevator music playing over the store and I’ll ring you up while making you feel like this purchase is the most thoughtful and sweetest gift anyone has ever given anyone.”
You see?
Occasionally, there would be one or two other people within a 6 foot radius of me in the Antique store but a body slam was not needed. In fact, the weirdest thing happened! They would whisper “excuse me, sorry” and then we’d move out of each other’s way! It felt, I dare say, Christmasy!
So. To the gifts. Here’s how it went down:
Mom
Vintage purple perfume bottle with the puff ball thing on the end.
Madonna (not the pointy-boobed Madonna, the other one) print to go next to it on her dresser.
Wendy necklace.
Dad
Reprints and Enlargements of Old Boise street scenes.
An 1889 Land Deed from Salmon Idaho (He teaches Real Estate).
Carla (Dad’s Fiancee)
Retro kitchen serving tray (orange, black and white).
Retro Carafe.
Retro Apron.
My sister
A vintage-looking necklace where the pendant is a silhouette of her daughter (really cool site where you email a profile shot to the artist and she turns it into a sillhouette and puts it on a necklace).
Wendy necklace.
My brother
An old school skateboard that I found on Ebay.
Mike’s Dad
Several vintage issues of Life magazine on topics that we knew he’s like (Olympics, War, Presidential Campaigns etc…)
Mike’s Mom
Season 3 of The Office - vintage edition.
Mike’s Sister
Funky vintage red felt hat.
Vintage purse.
Vintage Icecapades plate for decoration.
Mike’s Brother-in-law
Vintage 48 star flag
And that’s a wrap. Fun, right?
My favorite part about Christmas was when Delaney would run up to different family members and exclaim “AUNT NINA! WE GOT YOU A RED HAT!” or “UNCLE BURKE! WE GOT YOU A SKATEBOARD!” before anyone had the chance to open their presents.
Speaking of, my child was adorable on Christmas. She opened up a jump rope and acted as though she had just discovered Dora the Explorer herself in our living room. She HUGGED the jump rope and yelled “OH SANTA! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! SANTA KNEW JUST WHAT I WANTED!” And I couldn’t stop my heart from exploding.
How was Christmas for ya’ll? How did the kids do on present overload?
Jamie
Posted by Jamie @ 3:05 am • my crazy family
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January 10th, 2008 at 9:19 am, Melissa Says:
Love the vintage Christmas! Antique stores are one of my most relaxing outings! We got an electronic babysitter. A Wii. Not exactly vintage but sure does come in handy when Trey and I want to get away for the weekend. I’m kidding. Please don’t call CPS.
January 10th, 2008 at 10:06 am, emily Says:
There is nothing better than a thoughtful gift and nothing says thoughtful like an antique store. I bet you were the hit of Christmas.
Oh, and your description of the mall was perfect. I don’t go anywhere near the mall mid- November on for that reason:)
January 10th, 2008 at 10:08 am, Jess Says:
Two posts in a row! You’re on a roll here. Also, those presents are awesome and hello? We need the link to that silhouette necklace site because that is awesome. How did you even find that place?
January 10th, 2008 at 11:21 am, dawn Says:
Your christmas sounds awesome. I think I might have to try that next year. On the kid front. Our little man still doesn’t exactly know what to make of this whole Christmas thing (he’s 21 months). Top that off with the fact that he had 4 days in a row of Christmas celebrations and gift receiving. He was overwhelmed as was I. He would open a few presents then was off to run around and be a toddler. Next year should be better.
January 10th, 2008 at 11:28 am, Betina Says:
I did the Ebay thing for my kids. Santa brought them each 1 ‘big” toy and a movie, then we got them a book. I tried not to over-do it. Still, after we got back from Ethiopia on Christmas Day we opened presents together and my kids still had SO MUCH STUFF sitting under that tree (Santa’s, plus the GP’s and Auntie presents). The best part of Christmas was Mom and Dad coming home with their new little sister.
It will be the best Christmas in history, I am sure.
January 10th, 2008 at 12:05 pm, mandy Says:
I agree, can you post the link for the silhouette necklace site? Love the Wendy jewelry too! I will definitely be getting a few things from her site when some birthdays roll around. There are a lot of antique shops around this area, I’ve never really checked them out before…but I think I will now!
January 10th, 2008 at 12:45 pm, Stephanie Says:
WOW that sounds like a lot of fun, I want to try vintage Christmas, although its hard to go into a store with a 9 year old and a 4 year old and say DO NOT TOUCH anything. LOL they have to comment and touch.
I went and did a digital scrapbook of my girls for Christmas for my parents, and had it printed and hardbound, that was a huge hit.
My girls big present was the trampoline for sure. They absolutely love it, except the weather is nice, then it rains
I am glad to hear you had a great Christmas!
January 10th, 2008 at 12:52 pm, chou2 Says:
Wow - your Christmas sounds fantastic! And next year, I am definitely shopping in the antique stores… I’ve had enough of Avril.
January 10th, 2008 at 2:23 pm, Becky Says:
I just found your blog from Rae’s blog. I’m so glad she linked here. I’ve had so much fun this morning reading through some of your past posts. I’ve already emailed my friend and told her we need to schedule a photo shoot for our very sexy minivans also. And as much as you deny it, I’m not convinced that you aren’t the Sunsilk model. : ) We are adopting a 1 1/2 year old little boy from Liberia, so I will be excited to follow along with your adoption journey, too.
: ) Becky A.
January 10th, 2008 at 2:52 pm, Julie Says:
I did all my xmas shopping online, so as to avoid Miss Avril as well. Your gifts sounded awesome!
January 10th, 2008 at 10:12 pm, ERin O' Says:
I love shopping at antique stores. When I lived in Baltimore, I went on weekly forages and was so very happy. Now I live in a shizoid town where nothing cool can be found, but the prices are OUTRAGEOUS. And you get dirty looks from the NOT kindly old ladies.
That’s it, I’m moving to Boise.
January 14th, 2008 at 3:20 pm, Missy Says:
Fabulous! I am so totally going to the antique store next Christmas. Wait, scratch that, I promised that I would avoid the panic of waiting until late fall to start Christmas shopping. I am going to save my sanity, and my budget, by spreading out Christmas shopping throughout the year!
Thanks for the good tips!
Missy
PS - I am hosting a Valentine’s Day swap on my blog if you are interested!
http://www.fabricofmylife.blogspot.com