More worshipping at the altar of consumerism
Usually I make an effort not to buy (pun intended!) into the whole consumerism thing. Really.
So, how did I find myself doing a mad dash into the city (think terrible traffic) for a Christmas present for Willow this afternoon? I left work early, partly because I was feeling ill and partly because my tax cheque had arrived at the accountants. After depositing said cheque at my bank, I bought a present for Dexie’s FDCarers, nappies and a chicken for dinner.
At this stage I must have been feverish and delusional because I thought that I could quickly nick into town and get out again. Earlier I’d called ahead to confirm that a particular toy shop was stocking the present I wanted for Willow. I had ordered it from an online shop but there was an error with the credit card processing, so I didn’t think the delivery would get here in time.
The shop that I wanted to get to has a big multistory carpark attached, so I tried to park there, but had to go around the block, cursing bus drivers who were turning right against no right turn signs. When I finally got to the toy shop they had a fairly limited selection of stock and certainly not what I’d ordered from the website. Quickly I chose what I thought would appeal to Willow the most, paid using the same credit card and got back into the car.
As I got to the poor dude working in the car park booth, I must have had some kind of delirious grimace on my face because he comment that it was the first smile he seen in the two hours of his shift. Since I’d been so quick, the ticket didn’t even register the time and my parking was free. On the way home I called A and asked him to call Dexie’s FDCarers and ask them to drop him off because I wouldn’t get to their house before 6.30pm.
So, you might ask… what toy is sending me not only into city christmas shopping traffic, but other random shops in a vain and desperate search for them? What toy have I also ordered through eBay with a feeble hope that it will turn up before Christmas?
Sylvanian Families. They are, like so many other toys, a rehash/re-release of a toy that was around when I was a child. I actually have one little rabbit with a bottle and a cradle, but I can’t find it.
I ended up buying a Pizza Parlour and a Rabbit Family plus a Rabbit baby, but I’d ordered a Dog family and a Kitchen Set. We are still waiting on the Willow Hall and Conservatory, which I bought from eBay at $135.00, when the total cost in shops is about $200.00.
The kicker? I got an email tonight at about 9.30pm to tell me the order had been processed and sent by express post. Given the postal strike, I am still glad that I went in when I did. In hindsight I could have gone out when A put the children to bed, but I’m feeling slightly ill, so it’s a good thing I didn’t put it off.
Having children, so I’ve found, gives me a chance to not only reflect on my own childhood, but relive it too!
