Day 11:
Yesterday, we continued the tradition of our Annual Mother/Daughter Christmas Shopping Trip. My sister Linda and I have had a special Christmas shopping day with Mom almost as long as I can remember. Neither of us knows exactly how many, but it has been more than 40 years.
When Linda and I were little girls, Mom took us to a big shopping center in the city with large department stores and escalators and spectacular decorations. I remember Mom selecting gifts for sisters and aunts and uncles and grandparents. One time, Mom was perusing a table of women's lingerie and she held up some underwear and said to me, "Do you think these would fit ______?" . . . only to discover that she was speaking to a gentleman customer and not me. Oops! I also remember the treat of going down to the basement cafeteria and getting hot chocolate.
Most years, we have gone to malls. A couple of times, we went to an outlet center. The year that Ron was sick, we shopped locally so that I could be home in time to administer IV meds. And as the years have gone on, our shopping days are shorter. There was a time when we'd leave before dawn and arrive home after midnight! These days, we're home in time for dinner.
We shop and we eat and we drink fancy coffee drinks and caramel apple cider. We ooh and aah at Williams-Sonoma and at Pottery Barn. We listen to Christmas music. We walk our legs off. (And that "walking our legs off" part does not take much time any more.)
We shop and we eat and we drink fancy coffee drinks and caramel apple cider. We ooh and aah at Williams-Sonoma and at Pottery Barn. We listen to Christmas music. We walk our legs off. (And that "walking our legs off" part does not take much time any more.)
Sometimes a baby has joined us, or a daughter who has reached the required age of eighteen*. Sometimes a new daughter-in-law, or a new grandbaby. Sometimes a minivan full of mothers and daughters, sometimes just the three of us. This year, we three and Bekah made four.
*We waived the minimum age requirement a few years ago when none of the "over 18s" could/wanted to go, but Bekah most certainly did want to go.
We love this tradition and we are thankful for another year of being together!
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| Mother/Daughter Christmas Shopping Trip 2019 |
Day 12:
As I look at the snow falling outside my window, I am thankful that our trip was yesterday and not today!
What are you thankful for today?
Thankful that we had rain, and snow flurries rather than the wintery mix that was predicted! Love your tradition!
ReplyDeleteIt's been a cRaZy weather day! A warmish start . . . wind . . . snow . . . some melting . . . now cold! Quite glad that traveling was yesterday!
DeleteGreat tradition! My sister's name is Linda too.....I'm also enjoying your daily thanksgiving posts and haven't missed a one.
ReplyDeleteYour sister is Linda too! Thanks for joining me here, Carol! It is easy to find things to be grateful for, isn't it?
DeleteAhhh...brings back warm memories. We, too, used to leave before dawn because we were shopping two hours away at the Fox Run Mall in New Hampshire. We didn’t arrive home until nearly midnight and we were so tired that we were gone around the bend...pure silly. (My dad always loved that part I can tell you. 😉) Hope that you were able to actually do some shopping, but perhaps that’s really not the main reason for the day. No, definitely not.
ReplyDeleteWe just received snow yesterday and today so you are not far behind.
What is in about the lateness of the hour that brings out the silliness?! 🤣
DeleteA small amount of shopping was accomplished, but, as you guessed, shopping is no longer the primary reason for the outing.
I love your tradition, Cheryl! My Mama and I used to have a similar tradition. Hold tight to the wonderful traditions that you and your family have. What sweet memories you all have.
ReplyDeleteI am sure that your memories are sweet, Martha Ellen. ❤ Yes, we will treasure our times together!
DeleteI remember going to the Big Sears store for Christmas shopping! Near the appliance center they had popcorn being made in the popper and it smelled SO wonderful. I think you could buy a bag for a quarter. Every once in a while that smell will come back to me and I remember shopping with my family.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had a wonderful tradition going.
Thanks for sharing that memory, Melissa! The olfactory sense is so powerful, isn't it? A certain scent can take us to an exact moment in time!
DeleteOh how lovely.Beautiful women of God, gathering.I love this.Blessings,Dawn E.Brown
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Dawn! We are blessed to be able to gather!
DeleteLove this tradition of yours! Yikes...so glad you beat that snowfall for your traditional shopping trip!!
ReplyDeleteWe are tenaciously clinging to it! And "yikes" was my sentiment too! What a difference a day makes!
DeleteWhat a wonderful tradition. Loved the little memories you shared about going to the big department stores and then to the malls. Very special indeed.
ReplyDeleteWonderful memories for us . . . and we're still making new ones! So blessed!
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