I actually look forward to Christmas shopping.
No, seriously, I am not kidding. I know it is almost loco to hear such a statement from just about anyone at this time of year, especially a guy, but I really do enjoy the shopping season.
My wife also looks forward to it as it is the only time I have any patience strolling through the shops. At any other time of year after five minutes I am ready to scream.
“Which armoire do you like?”
First, what the heck is an armoire?
Second, why do I care?
And third does it really matter because you are not going to agree with whatever I say anyway.
At Christmas things are different.
Now, I must offer an explantation as to why I enjoy Christmas shopping.
First, my Christmas shopping does not include packed parking lots, road rage, cranky mindless store clerks or insane shoppers running me over to get the last G.I. Joe with the kung-fu grip.
No, my holiday shopping on Saturday did not include any such stress inducers — shopping hazards which usually has Santa delivering their gifts to the sanitarium.
My shopping experience was, well, relaxing.
It included a ridiculously easy drive to downtown Okotoks (darn those two stop lights!) and a leisurely stroll with the missus through Olde Towne Okotoks.
The only people honking their horns were those saying hello — it must have been my new jeans, wink, wink.
When I wandered into a shop I was greeted with a heartfelt “Merry Christmas” and sometimes a cup of hot chocolate, a glass of wine or even some cookies.
There were no frustrating line-ups, no one pushing past me to get to the clearance rack and no one looking at me with a dazed stare when I asked for some assistance.
This is why I enjoy Christmas shopping, because I do it in the comfort of my own hometown.
I chat with the shop owners, take advantage of their outstanding deals and their knowledge. They barely laugh at me when I ask the clerk at the ladies clothing store which rack has the armoires.
After a few hours and the shopping list all but complete my wife and I sit down to a nice quiet lunch downtown and relax.
That’s right, relax.
Now that is what I call Christmas shopping. I cannot believe everyone else has not clued in.