Part of the fun of holiday gift giving is shopping for something unique and special. The thrill of the hunt is what draws me into places like HomeGoods…I cannot wait to discover something new! I get frustrated if I have specific gifts in mind before I head out to shop, because invariably I cannot find what I wanted or it ends up being too expensive. Shopping for what I can actually find (rather than something specific I may never see) can be a real thrill!
If you saw me shopping at HomeGoods or any other store, you would recognize me right away, because I am the one going around and around and around the store dozens of times. Why do I go around in circles? I’m a hunter and a gatherer. I know it is a bit crazy but it works for me. Does anyone else shop like this (anyone?)? Let me describe a typical shopping trip…and then share a few gift ideas.
photo: Martha Stewart
Holiday Shopping, My Hunt & Gather Method:
First time around the store, I am getting the lay of the land. I call this my hunting phase. I am looking at what is available and what I am drawn to! I look for fun, unique and quality gifts. I usually start picking up a few things early on just to make sure no one else takes them. I’m a selfish shopper.
Second time around, I start discovering hidden treasures, I remind myself of what I saw and I gather up more favorites. I don’t worry if the items are small or insignificant by themselves…this is just my gathering phase so I pick up whatever I like.
Third time around, I start finding common themes and begin dreaming up creative gift combinations from what I have in my cart. This is where my adrenaline starts pumping and my inspiration kicks in.
Last time around the store, I put back what I decide not to use and end up with some fun hand selected gifts that can either stand alone or be combined into themes.
Theme Gift Ideas:
- Spa in a Basket (soap, back scrubber, aromatic candle and pumice stone)
- Coffee & cookie jar (cookie jar filled with specialty coffee, sample sized flavors)
- It’s not easy being green (a variety of green gifts…either the color green or good for the environment green!)
- Bath-time fun for toddler (rubber duckies, sun visor, hooded towel and bath book)
- Tea time (pretty tea cup and specialty tea)
- Picnic basket (square blanket, sturdy plastic plates & utensils, snacks in a picnic style basket)
- Family Night (gourmet popcorn, fun salt shakers, large colorful bowls, a classic card game)
- Chocolate Dream (fondue pot, chocolate, small plates)
- Merry Holidays (holiday hand towels, dishes, mugs, serving plates or utensils)
- Super Soup Night (Oversize mugs, cloth napkins and Parmesan cheese grater)
The end result of my hunting and gathering method of shopping is usually a great selection of affordable and unique gifts. I might end up a bit dizzy after going around in circles, but it is how I get my creative juices flowing!
So, do you enjoy the thrill of the hunt around the holidays, or am I the only dizzy shopper?
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1. I’m feeling a little out of my league
I really dislike shopping- the people, the carts, the noise. I think that’s why I’m on my second straight year of handmade gifts! But some people love to shop 
by Myrnie — 11/18/08 at 8:07 am #
2. I have to have a list of specifics. When I walk into a store, I know EXACTLY why I am there and what I want to find. I zoom in scanning everything as I walk, look at the area the item should be in and get it done. If it isnt there I move on!
by Kathy — 11/18/08 at 8:30 am #
3. You are awesome! I shop the same way. It makes my husband nuts! He always says, “You’ve already been around this part of the store. Why are you going through again?”
Poor man. He doesn’t get it.
by Kimba @ A Soft Place to Land — 11/18/08 at 8:45 am #
4. Hi Melissa
I’m catching up with you this morning. Great posts!
We have a b’day party, to attend, Saturday afternoon. Great news…it’s in the vicinity of our nearest HomeGoods. I’m scheduling a visit!
by Pat — 11/18/08 at 9:32 am #
5. Okay, this is EXACTLY how I shop at Home Goods. It’s the only store I shop like this at and I’m always thinking that if anyone is watching store cameras or video they must think I’m completely nuts.
by Suzann — 11/18/08 at 10:16 am #
6. Your shopping method sounds intriguing, but it must take four times longer. Time is money, too. ;>
by Vee — 11/18/08 at 11:03 am #
7. Oh Melissa, I am so much like that and I love the label of hunter, gatherer! That should make it easier for my hubby to understand! You are terrific! thanks for all your inspiration both here and on your blog!
by Denise — 11/18/08 at 11:33 am #
8. Good morning everyone! Pat, so glad you will be near a HomeGoods! Have fun shopping! Myrnie, I can’t say that I LOVE to shop, but I do enjoy the challenge of putting together holiday gifts when I am on a budget. Vee and Kathy, if I had endless funds, believe me I’d head straight to what I want and buy it and be done so I could go to Starbucks for a treat!
But, I have to get creative sometimes to stay on budget and still get great gifts. So I try to have fun with it! I think I might be a little creatively challenged too…since it takes me a few loops around the store to make progress. 
by Melissa — 11/18/08 at 1:04 pm #
9. Melissa,
I am totally on board with this way of shopping HomeGoods, it is the reason I love it so very much! I feel like I am on a treasure hunt and when I find the treasure . . . Yippee!
In fact, I found a new treasure last night and I can’t wait to post about it tomorrow.
It is wonderful to have you join us. Love your stuff!
Deb
by Deb — 11/18/08 at 3:12 pm #
10. I shop like that too. First I have to see everything (I have always shopped like this..even way back in H.S.) and then I will go back and get a couple of things and they will inspire me to look for othings to go with them, so yeah, doing the loop 3 or 4 times is not unusual for me.
I always thought it was just the ADD kicking in..
Janet
by janet — 11/18/08 at 3:24 pm #
11. Hi–Yes, yes–this is what it is all about-shopping–I have been shopping since my grandmother took me out as soon as I could walk–I am 66 years old and I am still going strong–in fact it is exactly how I make a very nice living–I started out at Polsky’s Dept. store in Akron, Ohio in l944–the elevator to the Mezzainine Level with ladies accessories and then the rest of the store–I have progressed to Houston, Texas, flea markets, thrift shops, garage sales, malls, and The Woodlands, Dallas market, etc. and online when everything else is closed. I just can’t imagine not doing it–and yes, I shop like you-I “case the place”, make a few rounds, picking up as I go, and my final round, I put back what I don’t want (I always put it back where I find it; that is a kind of unwritten rule with me)–I shop the HomeGoods in Atascocita, (Humble), Texas and I love it. Tight money has always been a shopping challenge for me–it can be done very nicely–Happy Shopping.
by Jean — 11/18/08 at 4:17 pm #
12. Funny, I was looking for a cookie jar last week and couldn’t find one. It’s the last thing on my list.
by Jen — 11/18/08 at 5:22 pm #
13. Hi Deb! Yes, it is like a treasure hunt! Absolutely! So fun! Can’t wait to see what you found
And thanks for the warm welcome!
Janet, ha, yes, I wondered about myself too, but now that I see a few others shop like I do, at least I am in good company!
Jean, you are an expert shopper with a lot of experience! Wow! That is fantastic. Thanks for sharing your love of shopping!
by Melissa — 11/18/08 at 6:09 pm #
14. Love this post! Never read another one like it. Yes, this is how I “excavate” our HomeGoods too! So much great merchandise - I’d hate to miss anything.
by martha — 11/18/08 at 6:57 pm #
15. I do something like what you do, I do go around the store and pick up whatever I THINK I am going to purchase. Then I think about each item, if it is appropriate, will they like it etc. and put back what won’t work. As far as the meaning of the holidays: we have TRADITIONS. My DH is Polish so we have a traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner, 7 courses. We have gotten ALOT better at this over the years….and more organized. Love your blog, thanks for the inspirations! Pinky
by Pinky — 11/18/08 at 10:08 pm #
16. Love this post! I am a hunter and gatherer, too. I love shopping at HomeGoods for the same reason. I go around in circles and I love finding unique items for gifts and for my own home.
by Karol — 11/19/08 at 2:14 am #
17. Nope you are not the only one. (I even do it at the grocery store, although I try not to!) My husband does not like to go shopping with me as he is a logical, linear thinking kinda guy, and my wanderings don’t make sense to him. I am more of a random association kinda gal…I start up and down the aisles, but see something that reminds me of something else or “ooo, wouldn’t that look great with one of those”, and off I go… of course, I then have to go back to where I “jumped off”, cause I wouldn’t want to miss anything…
by melissa — 11/19/08 at 10:52 am #
18. Yes, I am the same way, and Melissa’s post could be written about me and my hubby. He sets out to look for blue shirts with seven buttons and DOES. NOT. LOOK. at anything else. Drives me crazy. I”ve got to see the lay of the land, and then go back around a few times………I totally “get it”, girl!
And HomeGoods is a great place to start!
Suzanne
by suzanne — 11/19/08 at 1:15 pm #
19. That is exactly how I shop, too! You never know what you’re going to find or where you’ll find it! I think it’s fun to shop that way for gifts…it’s like a surprise for yourself, too, cuz you never know how it will turn out! One of my problems is…I end up liking some of the items I select for gifts so much that I struggle with whether or not to keep them for myself…anyone else have that problem?
by Kathleen — 11/19/08 at 1:36 pm #
20. Melissa,
You’re great! I love your theme ideas. I’m always looking for new themes for my family during the holidays….great inspiration!
by Thelma — 11/19/08 at 3:37 pm #
21. this is how i shop too! lots of gathering.
lots of thinking and deciding.
i am glad to know i am not the only one.
by meg — 11/19/08 at 11:33 pm #
22. I do the same thing, Melissa! Honestly, no one likes shopping with me because i cannot be satisfied with only once around~not in HomeGoods anyway!
by Bonnie — 11/20/08 at 12:33 am #
23. Melissa,
Great post! I really enjoyed reading about your “hunting” techniques. Like you, I like to scope things out a bit, but usually when I pick something up, I end up buying it. Sometimes, I do make a second go-around to retrieve things that I didn’t grab the first time around. You know how those fabulous ideas pop up when you’re shopping! I wish you and I lived closer so that we could go “hunting” together! I am sure that we would get into all kinds of trouble!
Loved this post.
Hugs,
Debbie
by Debbie W — 11/21/08 at 1:04 am #