My first memory of doing a seriously Grown-Up Thing was shopping for my family and friends, for Christmas. It was wonderful.
Mom and Dad took me to the shopping mall—a new creation in real estate circles back in those days. We walked through a few stores and saw the massive model train display in one, lavish jewelry and clothing displays in others and all of the lights and smells and the Christmas music piped-in for our shopping pleasure.
They walked me back to Santa’s Village and turned me over to Stacey, one of Santa’s Helpers! She talked with my mother for a short time and then took me by the hand and we headed into this little walled-off area on our own. I turned and waved goodbye to my folks and retook her hand and went inside.
Here’s the drill. Mom and Dad had put, say, $20 or $25 in an envelope and then checked the names of people we needed to get covered. “Mom” and “Dad” of course. “Girl Next Door” was one. “Family Dog” was another. “Teacher” may have been on there, I don’t remember, now. Anyway, they had these big round tables set up with signs over them saying “Mom” and “Dad” and arrayed on these tables were a dozen or more examples of Things We Might Want To Give To Mom, …or Dad, or whoever.
I remember getting Mom a little birdcage thing that was about six inches tall, gold in color, with a yellow papier mache bird on a little trapeze. Under that was a tiny bottle of what must have been Cheap Perfume. I have no memory at all of whatever I got for my Dad! I had to buy for Annette, my next-door neighbor and a few others and Stacey was helpful in letting me know how much money I had left for the rest. We got to where we needed something for the family dog and something needed to be put back and she was very patient and kind and walked me through the whole process of replacing one of these with one of those so we could acquire whatever it was I had my heart set on for the next gift.
After probably less than an hour, we popped out the other side and I had an armful of expertly-wrapped gifts for everybody on my list and for the first time in my short little life, I felt like a grown-up! It was the first Christmas that I really remember, the food and the presents and the little “awww!” noises from the folks receiving their goodies.
It was a great time. I’ve wondered for years if that store is even still there. And if they are, if they still provide this wonderful service.
