Posted on Dec 4, 2025 in
Uncategorized
By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher
Surprise! It’s all in the presentation when gift giving.
A couple of Fridays ago, I decided to do the thing. You know, the in person shopping the day after Thanksgiving thing? I haven’t been Black Friday shopping – on the real Black Friday – in years. I’m not entirely certain what got into me to participate in such a “peoplely” activity this year. Typically, I do not relish the idea of “peoplely” activities as people tend to congregate in large groups stopping, starting, talking, pointing, breathing – virtually everything that annoys me when on a mission. Nonetheless, it happened.
We were flying home from Colorado early the next morning, so of course, I talked Mr. Kaminski into participating in the raucous retail revelry. After all, I needed someone to carry my bags. I actually wrote this particular promise into our wedding vows. I figure it’s akin to a gift with purchase.
So off we went with dear Christine in tow to join the hoards in the holiday hustle. We were in Durango, Colorado, so my thought process was simple: How bad can Black Friday really be in a smaller town? There couldn’t possibly be that many people, right?
I was locked and loaded – ready for my brick and mortar shopping extravaganza where I just knew I would find deals and steals. After all, that’s what the commercials touted. Retailers just can’t get out there and lie about such I was certain. I had a small wristlet, tennis shoes, comfy clothes, a list that I checked twice and credit cards that worked – I was ready.
I fed Mr. Kaminski, as you don’t want the hangry bear so early in the day and lunch was scheduled post a couple of store stops. I had bags. Well, Mr. Kaminski had my bags. One has to purchase bags in Colorado if you want your purchases to actually be in a bag. And yes, that annoys me to no end, but I had a great attitude as I was on the hunt and beyond prepared.
First rattle out of the box, we went to a fav: T. J. Maxx. I indicated for Mr. Kaminski to grab a shopping cart, as they still have shopping carts in Colorado – thank goodness – just not bags. Yes, the bag purchase is a thing for me, and I’m not about to be over it. We began the hunt for items weaving in and out of extremely small aisles, which I truly did not do well with. That’s exactly why I had Mr. Kaminski in charge of the shopping cart. However, he was immediately relieved of his duty as he was unable to keep up with my to and fro purchasing. I literally would turn around to place something in the cart only to find him two aisles over meandering as something shiny grabbed his attention.
Now, while in the hustle and hassle of in person retail, I do not meander. I stay on track. I am purpose driven. This is not the case with Mr. Kaminski. Once relieved of his navigation duties, I was able to properly and purposefully fill up our cart.
Now, when at discount retailers or during a sale of any kind, my modus operandi is to put any and everything that piques my interest into the cart. Mr. Kaminski does not subscribe to this plan.
“Let’s just think about this,” I said rapidly putting items in the cart as he continued to give me the side eye. Wisely, he never uttered a word.
As I began putting items in the basket for him for Christmas, dear Christine exclaimed, “You’re buying presents for him in front of him? He’ll know what he’s getting for Christmas!”
“Girl, Christmas is a month away,” was my retort. “He won’t remember a thing a month from now. Why do you think he calls me honey? I firmly believe he forgot my name years ago.”
“He truly won’t remember?” she inquired in disbelief.
“Absolutely not, especially when I exclaim ‘surprise’ as he opens it. That will throw him off track.”
I’m still not certain Christine has digested this particular dynamic of being married to Mr. Kaminski, but after 31 years, I’ve got it down. Here’s wishing y’all many fantastic surprises this holiday season! See y’all next week – on the porch! Ho, ho hugs!
Patti Parish-Kaminski
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