Today could start a big online shopping spree called Cyber Monday, when we depart from malls to scan online offers for goods with free shipping.
I sampled the go-to-the-store day called Black Friday. As usual, I ventured out around 2 a.m. the morning after Thanksgiving.
I met a couple of real gems from Seattle at Best Buy who planned to snag all the electronics they could ram through the check-out line, to resell on Craigslist.
There were ladies with babies in strollers, even though it was freezing outside.
Police circled, waiting for what was described as “shopper frenzy” to wreak havoc on roads.
Some pushy lady ran inside JC Penney, grabbed the free snow globe, and went right back to her car.
Oh wait.
That was me.
Now we head online to shop for the perfect present, for us, or them.
I am here to help all you significant others with no clue about what the person who does the household laundry might want.
We dream of a front-loading washing machine.
Forget trips, cashmere, 4-wheel drives and spa days.
Some folks drool at jewelry stores, fingering this and that bauble.
Others hang at Judd and Black, peering ever so lovingly inside washing machines with windows in the door, picturing underwear and blue jeans circling the metal womb.
It makes sense that clothes in front loaders get good and clean, what with all the thump-thumping. Michelle Galasso of Marysville wants one.
“I have a really old top loader and I would love to have a new set,” Galasso said.
Others have opposite thoughts. Nancy Wahl of Granite Falls rejects Christmas giving altogether.
“At Christmas, it was so fun as a kid to have the presents, but as I got older and ended up with stuff I didn’t want, and saw all the waste and unfulfilled expectations, I started understanding we have messed up here somehow,” Wahl said. “I have to confess, I just don’t understand the whole gifting thing.”
She enjoys giving presents to friends and family on her own schedule.
“We took a concept of giving and turned it into being all about the stuff,” she said. “What I always tell people what I want most is a donation to a charity.”
If Maryke Burgess of Lake Stevens asked for a material gift, she would seek a new computer.
“I happen to love my washing machine, but it’s not front loading,” Burgess said. “I purchased an extra capacity machine and as a single person, it’s great, because I can still wash blankets and large items, etc.”
She said there should be gifts for people and gifts for “the house,” so women wouldn’t get something like a vacuum for Christmas, but the “house” would.
Another woman with my same line of thinking is Michaela Murphy of Arlington.
She has a outdoorsy vision for under the tinsel.
“I want a composting bin and a new lawn mower,” Murphy said.
I admit, Maryanne Armstrong of Lake Stevens probably speaks for the majority of women.
“Ideally I would love a weekend away with no responsibilities,” Armstrong said. “I’m always a fan of things that sparkle.”
Just spray Pine Sol on an appliance.
That’s bling to me.
Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.
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