I seen this posted in a store where I went to buy a loaf of bread of all things. At first I just blew it off with a thought of how everything is being done sooner and sooner anymore. But I just couldn't seem to get it out of my head. I usually buy Christmas gifts through the year when I see things on sale or reduced and then go Christmas shopping in early to mid September when the kids go back to school. I then put everything in Lay a way where the store holds it until the beginning of December while I make small payments. This method has worked well for years. However last year Wal Mart and many other stores dropped their lay a way . I have been told that too many people were having massive amounts of sale items put in Lay a way ( TVs on the day after Thanksgiving )and never coming back for them. Of course they lost a five dollar lay a way fee but the store was still loosing money so everyone lost. In their defence, Wal Mart stated that with most everyone in today's society using credit cards or cash advance services that there is no need for a Lay a way.
With no lay a way option I have not rushed out for my yearly trip yet, though I have picked up a few things here and there. This sign got me on my toes though. I started thinking and talking to Mike who could honestly care less who gets what as long as I do the shopping .
I have made some progress in that Cindy is now done and Michael has given me some ideas, though they include things like a thirty some dollar RC helicopter that is made out of cheap Styrofoam. ( I can see this lasting two hours tops) Robby simply told me that he didn't know what he wanted and that he liked playing X box games like The Halo s ( obviously we already have them !)
I went to Toys R us yesterday to look but still came up blank. Mike suggested a gift card but I don't care for those. Sure as I buy one for Toys R Us the same thing at Wal Mart will be twenty dollars cheaper , or K mart will be the only one to have what they decide they want. Cash or savings bonds are OK for them to receive from relatives ( actually they love and prefer them ) but opening cash from Santa on Christmas morning just doesn't seem right.
I guess I will just keep going and I am sure that I will find the perfect gifts. I will just have to make sure that I have enough money when I do as well as a place to store it . Oh why oh why can't stores see that I need Lay a way !
