More to Life than Target

There are times when I need to shop at places other than Target (they have groceries, toys and clothing so why go anywhere else?). It doesn’t happen very often but occasionally I get to act like a sophisticated chick without kids. Here are some of the hip gift shops to go with your out-of-town friends or even when you have a kid-free afternoon.

How to Spot a Gift Shop...

I’m really not sure why they call these places gift shops. I often go in them and end up buying things for myself and not for someone else (maybe they can call them the “me” shop). A couple of clues that you found it is by the items they carry.

• Stationary and note cards – with e-mail I’m still amazed that people are still writing cards and letters. I think I wrote a letter once but then couldn’t figure out how much postage was…
• Candles, incense and potpourri – a gift shop staple
• Bags and purses – A girl cannot have enough bags. You need the evening bag, the daytime bag, the work bag, the bag when you don’t have kids, the bag when you do have kids, the bag you bought because you were mad at your significant other and charged it to their credit card.
• Lotions, potions and bath salts – so I haven’t take a bath in years, but every year for Christmas I get a bag of bath salts…I may have to open up a gift shop just to sell the stuff.
• Pottery, ceramics and glassware – the plate that is too beautiful to eat off, egg holders for soft boiled eggs and butter dishes.
• Teas, coffees and chocolates – did you say gourmet chocolates? I’m there.

Stay Away...

Occasionally you will come across a store posing as a “gift shop”. Upon entering the shop, if you spy any Precious Moments, Beanie Babies, fake flowers, crystal animals or anything from the Franklin Mint, please turn around and run for your life!