let me facilitate your Christmas!

It has, obviously and thankfully, been busy at work since there are 2 weeks until Christmas.  From the moment I get to work until I'm chasing customers out after closing time, I am so busy that I can't get anything done.

As much as I try to be ready by knowing everything in the store and by having helpful gifts suggestions  cued up, I am flabbergasted by some of the gift purchases.

-The elderly aunt, coming in on payday, purchasing a very nice knife for her nephew because he thinks he wants to go to culinary school.  I hope he appreciates how she budgeted and fretted over that knife!  He better go to culinary school and become a serious fucking chef!

-The families that purchase extravagant gifts for their new daughter-in-law.  There is a part of me that always thinks "she did pretty well for herself," but then I also wonder what sort of family drama she has to deal with.  These situations are especially interesting when the huge gifts are "stocking stuffers."

-The classic scenario of the customer that needs to purchase a gift for their [insert person to whom they are very close] and they don't know what to get them because they have everything, are extremely picky, have exquisite taste, have no known hobbies or interests, and are also wealthy.  (I know the wealth part shouldn't really be a factor in this process, but it's funny how often customers mention that).

-The middle-aged couples that are actually buying gifts, REAL GIFTS, for not only their adult children, but also their 10+ nieces and nephews (also adults) and their children.  I like to imagine what it must be like to be a 27 year old married mother who actually gives her aunt a wish list with 2 items. At what point are you like, "You know what?  I don't need a present.  Being with you on Christmas is enough of a gift."?

But then I remember that my job is selling all those gifts.  It's not just my job, it's my livelihood.  I need to make sure those people get what's on their lists so I can eat and pay rent.  That really changes my attitude quickly.  Give the people what they want!  Merry Christmas!