Day 14 Freakin Winter 1-19-11

Minneapolis, Minnesota forecast for 1-19-11
Partly cloudy, cold, full moon


High 6


Low -6


Getting nasty cold around here. Time to start pulling out the big guns!!! Gift Certificates!!!!

Allow me to explain. Most people think that giving gift certificates as a present is lame or a cop out. I LOVE GETTING GIFT CERTIFICATES!!!!

Here is my deal, for Hanukkah and Christmas I actually ask for gift certificates. It's not that I don't trust someone to pick out a gift for me. And when I get gifts I always appreciate the care with which someone thought of me.

But see in the dead of winter, (now through March) I need a pick me up. This also happens to be a time of year that I am freaking out about all the money we spent during the holidays. Buyers remorse, credit card debt recovery. I become the budgeting dictator my family has nightmares about. Nothing is purchased unless it is a necessity. And absolutely nothing is purchased for myself, needed or not. I'm a martyr that way. ;)

But the gift certificate gives me reprieve. And just when I think all is lost to winter and I am going to explode with cabin fever from my self imposed hibernation......I am saved by the gift certificate.

Mostly I hate shopping. I hate malls. I hate clothes shopping. I hate grocery shopping. I hate spending money. I'm some what of an oddity of the female gender this way. Not fond of chocolate either. BUT.........

I plan a special treat day for myself. I warm up the car for a good 10 minutes. Turn on the butt warmer too!! Then I go spend one of my beloved gift certificates on no one except myself! I only will use one gift certificate at a time that I received. I have to spread this out over the entire winter, you know.

I come home with my treasure and there is no guilt of spending. This was a gift. I bask in it! And there you have another use of a blah winter day.

Some of my favorite gift certificates are: (Just in case you ever want to buy me a gift!) ;)
Joanne Fabrics and crafts
The Woods
Yankee Candle
Subway
Cariboo
Starbucks
Barnes and Noble
101 Market
Michaels

I am not terribly fond of gift certs from places like Target cause inevitably I'll purchase things that are needed (like toilet paper) instead of something frivolous and fun. blah. Defeats the purpose!

So there you have it. Gotta to go shopping!
Joytobe