When my husband and I set up our new home, I listed some essentials that I needed from a local favorite store. Off we went to shop together and when we arrived he steered the cart to the first item on my list. I placed it in the cart after comparing a few choices. He and the cart then raced off to item number two. Then he and the cart located number three. He then smiled at me and said "Great! We are finished! Let's have lunch!" "Just another minute because I want to go up and down a few more aisles to browse." I replied.
The above exchange revealed to me the major differences in my wonderful man's way of shopping and mine. Most men shop for need and women shop for emotion. We browse and they buy! I love to see everything even if I don't need anything. My mailbox is filled daily with catalogs that fill me with excitement. They are placed in a special bowl by the couch just waiting for the time I can relax and flip pages.
I also realized that this shopping exchange could be a challenge and I was looking forward to a solution that would work for both of us. Now you are thinking ... just go separately. And that could work except I loved the thought of our togetherness.
A few years ago over a romantic dinner in our favorite restaurant I opened the conversation with "What would you like for our anniversary?" He suggested that we go to a store and each pick out something we loved and those would be our presents. Where is the magic and special wrapped boxes?
The next day a chat with a best friend solved the challenge. She suggested that we give each other a list of five things we would like to receive. We could select one to two items for each other off the list. We would receive what we wanted but still be surprised. Early the next day we were off to the mall. We planned to meet for a lovely lunch and an afternoon glass of wine. Surely this would take the sting out of the shopping exercise. All went very well. From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. my cell phone was quiet. I was alone to review a few perfect surprises. We met for a loving lunch and then went back out into the crowds. Thirty minutes later my cell phone rang. He announced proudly that he was done and incredibly that everything was already wrapped. I only had one gift and no wrapping paper or card in sight. I asked him to shop a little longer and an hour later he called to have me meet him as he had found a coat he thought he might like to purchase for himself!
The holiday gift-giving exchange that year turned out to be perfect and we laugh about this experience as we tell the story to friends at each celebration of our married day. How do you shop together? Do you go separately? I would love to hear your stories. Below please find five ideas that will make your shopping together a happy experience.
Five Tips For Shopping Harmony!
1. Locate two stores side by side that interest both of you! Example a golf store next to a home store.
2. Locate a mall that has a wonderful sports bar or book store as one of the merchants.
3. Plan your shopping therapy while he is engrossed in a favorite hobby or sports TV program.
4. Go shopping with a couple of good friends. While you two are in the stores he and his buddy can discuss work or sports scores.
5. Go to the men's department first and help him select a new item for his wardrobe. Then take off to play in all your favorite areas of the store.
Happy Retail Therapy from Jackie
Earlier on Huff/Post50: