Shop at Home

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style. In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas…as the shoppers rush home with their treasures.

I love Christmas music, and I can hardly wait until this Saturday when Monticello resembles that particular song. I envision shoppers all over town taking advantage of our local merchants and the special treat of having a nationally renowned artist in our town.

This Saturday, Dec. 17, the Better Hometown Program, the Chamber of Commerce and local merchants are joining together to invite Jasperites to “Shop at Home.” I’m excited, and I’ve planned my shopping list. I suggest you do the same. The merchants here are friendly and helpful and your money stays here in town to benefit Jasper County. Many even offer free gift wrapping.

I think I’ll stop in and see Santa Claus at McIntosh State Bank first before I shop for others. And, I’ll end up back there before Christmas to get the gift that always fits—cash.
I’m going to do my part to keep the parking spaces on the Square free for other visitors and park at The Monticello News office. I’m trying to figure how many times I’ll need to return to the car with my purchases, as I plan my route.

I’m doing the Square before getting in my car and heading down to the Farm & Garden, and out to Verizon, Town ‘n Country and Covington Ford. Grocery shopping (ugh) at Family Foods and Ingles will be last.

I’ll begin my day by stopping at the benefit bake sale at the Tillman House Restaurant. Something sweet will put me in a good humor to begin shopping, and giving to a good cause lightens the heart.

Then, I think I’ll head up Washington Street and see John Paul Strain, the famous Civil War artist at the Olive Tree Gallery first. I think this will be one busy store on Saturday so I figured I’d catch it coming and going, and meet the artist whenever there was the smallest crowd gathered. And, some delicious coffee will go well with my sweet treat.

Several people on my shopping list have bare walls in need of the beautiful artwork offered at The Olive Tree. I’ll have to make some tough decisions to choose the perfect pieces. Hannah is talking of moving out, so she’ll need artwork for her new home.

When I leave there (I can leave my purchases and pick them up on the way back), I’ll head to Pam’s Nail Salon to get a gift certificate for my friend Wendy, who always gets her nails done there. And, I’ll stop in Monticello Mail ‘n More for some stationery items that can go in Christmas stockings.

Before I continue around the Square, I’ll detour to the Bank of Monticello to get some coins for the hard-to-buy-for on my list.

That won’t take long, and I’ll go on up the street to Zoe’s Beauty and Barber, to get a gift certificate for Mary who likes the way Patti does her hair. I will linger longer here, because it’s a great place to buy for all the hard-to-buy-for people on your list.

In addition to all the traditional beauty and barber services, you can get a gift certificate for a massage from Kelly or Dee. Every person I’ve heard from who ever had one agrees that it’s a treat. We just sometimes won’t pamper ourselves that much. And it is not limited to just the guys or just the girls. Everyone enjoys a massage, and these ladies know what they’re doing.

When I leave there, I’ll stop in Security Finance and say hello before heading to the Silver Rabbit which has so many gift items. I visited there last week and resisted the temptation to buy several things for myself, but I did not come out empty-handed. Marietta plans a trip to the Mart before Saturday, and there will be more than ever to take care of your Christmas list.

She has a Southern cookbook that looked like a necessity, and she’s headed to buy jewelry which slides well into stockings. She says the Lampe Berger is a must have, and proceeded to explain the exclusivity of it to me. And, Saturday, we will be sampling gourmet foods.

I’ll stop in Mitchell’s Department Store next and see what I need. I suspect I’ll get some jeans for Jimmy, and who knows what else. I will be interested to see the selection of merchandise, because Miss Adell had let it dwindle when she was going to close. Since she decided to remain open, she has been re-stocking and I haven’t been in lately.

When I leave Mitchell’s, I hope I can go on to Meme’s House before heading back to the car with my purchases, but I have a feeling, there may be a trip to the car before going to Meme’s. In either case, the Forsyth Street side of the Square is bound to necessitate a trip to the car.
But, I digress.

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At Meme’s I will get a music box for my sister, Debby, and a Vera Bradley purse for Emily. I bought my Christmas Aromatique already, because it just isn’t Christmas if it doesn’t smell like it. There are so many wonderful gift items, I should be able to complete my shopping for Aunt Sue and Aunt Josie, as well. Meme has a large selection of jewelry, and so many different gift items that every time you walk through the store you see something you didn’t see before.

If I get all that done before lunch, I’ll be starving. Then I have to decide…have a sandwich at the Olive Tree, a burger or full lunch at Four Seasons Italian Cafe; get a sandwich at Blimpie, stop in the Big Chic for some great fried chicken or a hot dog all the way (my favorite) or maybe go for a full meal at the Great Wall Chinese restaurant.

There’s also El Giro Mexican Restaurant, which might be a good place for lunch, and the always wonderful Dairy Queen. You can bet there will be a need for a blizzard before the day is out. I’ll have to check and see if Cafe on Frobel is open on Saturday. Supreme Wings might just provide the dinner fare.

I could go to McMichael’s and get one of those great sandwiches Tracy makes…boy is that a meal. If I go there, I just might stop in next door at the Hideaway package store for a gift for Uncle Lou.

Once I fill up, I’m afraid instead of being re-energized I’ll be lazy. But it’s okay, that’s part of the joy of Monticello. You don’t have to go far to take care of everything.

It’s time for the south side of the Square. I always delight in going in The Plant Parlor. Sudy has so many arrangements already made up or will make what you want to order. And it might just be time for an ice cream for dessert.

From there, it’s on to Monticello Drugs/Radio Shack. From the name you know they have greeting cards, wrapping paper, headache and bodyache remedies (which by now I am needing), and electronics. But, what you may not realize is that in addition to those items, they have toys—enough for a selection, but not enough to boggle your brain, and they have many unique gift items.

Do you have a football fan on your list? How about a Georgia Bulldog gym bag…or flip flops, or key ring or mug, or lamp….The list goes on. They have virtually everything you can imagine for the Georgia Bulldog fan.

And, yes, since David Leach, owner is a Tennessee fan, there are some fan items for Tennessee. And he wouldn’t want to leave out the fans of Georgia’s nemesis—Georgia Tech. Lamps can be ordered for many teams, so hurry. There are purses, and candles and baby items, and picture frames, and, I’m rambling. You must go see for yourself.

Even though I may have to juggle my purchases, I still have stops to make. (Or there might be another one of those trips to the car.) I’ll miss shopping at Monticello Trading Post. Quitman Luke died early Wednesday at 91, and I don’t think anyone will be able to open the shop Saturday even though he has it stocked for Christmas.

Then, there’s Second Hand Sam’s. Here, there are some unique gift items, but mostly you’ll find gently used children’s clothes and toys. Can’t afford a new Little Tykes playhouse but really want one? Second Hand Sam’s has one. Got sticker shock from looking at the price of baby clothes, knowing the baby wears them just a few times? Head to Second Hand Sams.

Then, I’ll finish my trip around the Square at Adams’ Beauty Supply, which this year changed ownership. As a matter of fact, I haven’t been in the store lately, so I’ll just have to go see what they offer.

After I secure all my purchases, I think I’ll go to the Farm & Garden next. Jasper, the puppy I gave Jimmy for his 50th birthday, needs a new leash. And, I may need to buy something for Jimmy there. I’ll have to ask Floyd if he’s noticed Jimmy eyeing anything.

From there I’ll head over to The Video Center, and ask Lee about what kind of movie to get Emily. I’m afraid he may know better than I what would appeal to her. I’ll check my mail and head to my next stop.

I’m really looking forward to my next stop….Town ‘N Country General Store. Did you know they sell fresh candy in bulk? I think I’ll go get a pound of chocolate, and delight in it, because I know I’ll be exhausted by then. But, oh, I’m not through shopping. I’ll take a good look around to see what else is in store.
After that, I’ll head to Covington Ford. No, no one on my list gets a new car. But a gift certificate for an oil change will be appreciated.

Oops, I forgot I must get groceries. That’s o.k., let me check my list and see if I got everything I needed. Ahah, there’s two people left on my list. I think I’ll get some Christmas candy at Family Foods for Uncle Joe, and I saw some toys at Ingles that will finish the needed items for the grandchildren.

Whew, that was a busy day. If everybody shopped as much as I did, the merchants surely did well, and Christmas trees will soon be filled with packages underneath.

After I put the groceries away, I’ll run out to Larrys’ 4-Way and take advantage of the 25 percent off Carhartt for someone on my list. (He might read this so I can’t say who.)

And, there is one other item that you might want to get for a special person on your list…a gift subscription to The Monticello News. The office will not be open on Saturday, but you can call 706-468-6511 to order one or come by. We’ll get a subscription started to your friend here or out-of-town, and send a card announcing it. Then you won’t be responsible for telling them all that is going on in Jasper County.

Lastly, I know some real estate agents that would love to sell a house to your or someone else for Christmas.

Just look through the pages of this paper and the accompanying special section featuring letters to Santa Claus, special Shop at Home offers, and Christmas greetings, and remember these advertisers when you are shopping.

I love Monticello. It’s a great place to live…and work…and SHOP.