An Awesome Christmas Shopping Trip

I had the most WONDERFUL day today. My daughter and I took off to the mall to do some Christmas shopping. I'm not sure if I have completely lost my mind, but I really enjoyed myself. It wasn't too bad as far as traffic and shopping lines, but it really didn't matter, and I think the reason why I had such an enjoyable day is that I had everything planned--where I was going to go and what I was going to buy. I think when you do that, as long as nothing screws it up, you'll be able to get through this buying season unscathed.

We stopped off at the Old Navy Store and I found 2 pairs of pants and 2 long-sleeve t-shirts for my son, and a pair of boots for my daughter. The pants were $10 apiece, and the long-sleeve t-shirts were $5 apiece. Couldn't be beat! The boots were $35, which I hadn't planned on but she wanted them and I figured that could be an extra present under the tree for her.

The next stop was Rugged Warehouse. Now if you haven't ever been to one, it's a thrifty shoppers' paradise. Picked up a sweatshirt for my son to wear to bed ($4.99) and another one to wear to bed ($3.99). Man, I was doing great.

We head over to the mall and my daughter sees a calendar she likes, so I pick that up for her, and one for my son.

Then...omg...this was the topping on the cake...

I went in a new store in the mall called Hollister. If you don't have one in your area, please get to one somewhere near because you will absolutely fall in love with it. I think the reason why I loved it was because of its California theme. I love California!

Omg...this store was like walking into another world. When I came out, I told my daughter, "Well, back to reality."

It was awesome...dimly lit, blaring music, and t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, hoodies, you name it with different California emblems. It's a mite expensive, not too bad, but omg I am going back for myself after the holidays.

I got my daughter a long-sleeve top ($24.99) and my son a hoodie ($39.99). Really, it could have been more expensive and I don't mind putting money into something that is really going to make great presents. I'm going back before Christmas.

But, let me tell you, they have this projection TV cam that shows Huntington Beach at the same time you are there and what degrees it is. It was 64 degrees at about 4 p.m, and you could see people walking around the beach and everything. I was just in awe.

When we went to pay, I couldn't hold back and you know how much I embarrass my daughter, and I said, "You guys must love working here. I use to live near Huntington Beach, and you know, this so much feels like going back home."

The clerks took it real well, and instead of rolling their eyes, they actually thought it was neat I lived there.

My daughter gave me a look like let's hurry up and get out of here, but I didn't want to leave. It was like being home again!

Speaking of which, I've decided our California trip will be the first week of September. We're going to rent a van and drive from Virginia all the way out there. You haven't lived until you've traveled across country with your family, no sirree! My daughter, when she first heard that's what we were doing, was vehemently against it, but I think I talked her into it once I promised her a trip to Laguna Bay. We'll fly back, but the trip across country ought to be awesome.

I absolutely cannot wait, and before I go I'm going to go back to Hollister's and buy me some t-shirts for the trip.

So, I'm back home and I've got all this Christmas tree to put together so I better get cracking.

An awesome day!

Tags: Hollister, christmas shopping, christmas shopping trip, Old Navy, Rugged Warehouse, California, Laguna Bay