Many of us choose an angel and purchase a few things for children whose parents struggle to pay the rent, let alone put aside money for Christmas gifts. We’ve done this over the years, and I think it’s important to share our good fortune and teach my son that other kids his age are not wading through piles of Legos like he is.
For the last couple of years, we have bought gifts for a woman who lives in a group housing facility with a few other women with developmental disabilities. A friend’s daughter lives there, and my friend shares the needs/wants of her roommates to find some Santa’s helpers who are willing to do a little shopping.
The Northwest Arkansas Mall offered to help me pay for some gifts in exchange for a blog post, so it was a perfect opportunity for me to do my shopping for “L”. And there’s a great New Year’s giveaway for a reader – keep reading!
My list for L included jewelry, some DVDs (she’s a fellow Gilligan’s Island and I Love Lucy fan!) and puzzles. She doesn’t need any pajamas or clothing, so we could focus purely on fun stuff. After some dinner in the food court – really tasty stir fry – we headed for the store that stocks a bajillion games, calendars and puzzles.
I struggled a bit with not being sure what level L is at, developmentally. Puzzles can be tough if they’re TOO detailed or have too many pieces. But I settled on an I Love Lucy one that is 1000 pieces, and a smaller one that is Looney Toon cartoon characters. I figure I covered my bases.
The next thing on the list was jewelry, so Claire’s was the next stop. Believe it or not, I left without any jewelry. I just couldn’t find anything that I thought was worth the prices they were asking, and truth be told, there was a lot of stuff geared toward little girls… just didn’t quite work. We did, however, find some sparkly nail polish and hair clips. L’s caseworker said she is a “girly girl”, so we knew the glitter will be a hit.
We found a great necklace at Melody’s Choices (50% off!) that met the “pink” requirement, but also doesn’t look like a 5-year-old would wear it, and a couple of items for me to put in our family stockings, then headed to Bath & Body Works.
But first, cookies!
There is a kiosk in the mall that rents mobile stuffed animals for kids to ride. Have you seen these? They are kind of hilarious just sitting there, and his giant 11-year-old self made them even funnier. He was determined to ride, and I was tired, and only had one more stop to make, so I paid the nice man $6.00 for 15 minutes of heaven, and ran off to grab some smelly lotion.
It was the last night of the buy-3-get-3 deal on B&BW lotion, and I almost sprung for six, but decided to rein myself in. I love their Peppermint Twist scent, and it’s a pretty basic smell anyone can appreciate. It’s harder with florals and fruits – some folks don’t like them (myself included).
A quick trip to a movie store provided the DVDs I needed, and the report from my friend was that our packages were a hit. We love being able to make someone’s holiday a little brighter.
Now, the GIVEAWAY!
The Northwest Arkansas Mall wants me to be an angel to YOU this season, and gave me some gift cards to share with a lucky reader. So here’s the deal. In the new year, we are all hitting the “restart” button, so I’d love for you to share your biggest wish or goal or resolution for 2016 in the comments below for one entry, and go like The Northwest Arkansas Mall on Facebook (and leave a second comment) for another. That’s it!
I’ll announce a winner Monday evening, January 4 – good luck!
Note: this giveaway is only open to Northwest Arkansas folks.
Oh gosh, so many, Laurie, but really to be kind when I don’t feel like it would hit the top 10! (And I love that he is riding the elephant – it’s my personal fave!)
Being kind is always a good idea, Jacqueline. :) So hard to resist those grumpy moments.
A resolution is to read more professional develppm entry books. I buy them and don’t finish them. My dream is for my family to have a happy and healthy 2016.
More reading in general is a big one for me! Happy 2016 to you and yours Cyndi!
My biggest resolution is to focus on completing projects. Following through with ideas. I start something and then get discouraged so I quit.
This is hard for me too. I have tried breaking up my projects into pieces – then each step that I complete I can call a win, and not get overwhelmed by the Big Project looming over me. Good luck!
To be more “present!” I’m definitely addicted to my phone and am trying to do a better job of leaving it in a drawer or in my purse – out of site out of mind … and on silent of course.
It turned off all the frivolous notifications so it’s not constantly “requesting attention!”
And I liked the NWA mall page too!
I feel you Gracie! I turned off social media notifications and do NOT miss them! Good luck!
My “plan” for the new year is just to do what I can and feel good about it! Whether it’s eating more healthy, taking frequent walks, doing all the art and learning some new stuff… No matter what I get done, it’s good! ;)
Celebrate ALL the things!! :)
Be a good friend and learn how to be a mother!
You’ll be a great mommy Brittany!! Can’t wait to see those baby girls! :) (also, these gift cards would be handy, huh??)
Liked Northwest Arkansas Mall
I’m working on finding balance. Time for everything is just not possible, so I’ve started simply making my best effort to have a little good effort in each “corner” of my life. Kids, partner, self, home… And self care, I’ve done not enough for years…. So I’ve got a deficit to repair.
I’m going to be saying “no” more this year to outside stuff – hoping to put more effort into quality over quantity. Good luck!
My main resolution is to be healthier this year.
That’s one of mine too Paulette. We can do it!!
I liked NWA mall ❤️
My one biggest goal is to focus on the words “kindness” and “experience” more for this year. Those are my words of choice to concentrate on for my everyday life and goals.
Great words Kaylin! Thanks for commenting. :)
I want to radiate positivity in the new year.
Try to take more time to enjoy the little things. ( full time job, part time job and full time school will make this difficult ).
My 2016 is to remain compassionate, especially when it’s hard.
And sometimes it’s definitely hard. :)
I don’t know if this really fits in the categories of goal, wish or resolution, but I am focusing on finding my voice in 2016.
I think that’s a great goal. :)
Followed nwa mall on fb!! :)
I tend to over think EVERYTHING. This leads to distraction and getting so bogged down a project either takes 10 times longer than it should, or I abandon it. This year I am trying to be more focused on staying on task so I don’t get to the point of being overwhelmed and giving up.
Liked NWA mall. 😊
I dream of slowing down and enjoying my family more without being such a slave to social media! I’m going to make an effort to make that dream come true this year.
Aaaaand I just liked NWA mall on fb!💙 Thank you for such a great giveaway opportunity!
Missed out on a supply of Peppermint Twist from B&BW.
A healthy year! And feel confident about my health.
Getting my house in order! We’ve already purged a bunch of stuff, but there is so much more to do.
Meeeeeee too! I did some last year in my kitchen and closet, but this year the rest of the house is on the list. :)
I liked NWA mall on FB!
I have got to get my blood sugar and cholesterol numbers down. So that is my goal for the year. I am trying Plexus to see if it will help. Happy New Year, Laurie!
It’s so cliché- exercise consistently. I am going to get outside my comfort zone and join a class. Scary.
Classes help you be accountable, Carmella – hope it helps! :)
I liked NWA Mall on FB. Woot.