The Treasure Shack is a great shopping destination

Picture get your attention? I hope so..... No, not really but the one I had is blurry and shopping has begun for the holiday so I thought why not! I am sitting here thinking of who and what I need to finish up our shopping for.Yes, you guessed it - I am one of those people that have my holiday shopping finished before the crowds become insane. Let me tell you it is so nice to have that extra time to do many other things and not put up with the crowds.

Being the shopper I am and listening to the friends and family around us no one EXPECTS a present and if they do they have issues. In this day and age it seems everyone buys what they want or has it gave to them. The reason for the season seems forgotten. The comment I hear from people and children of, "there is no such thing as Santa" makes my disappointment level go higher.

I ask you what happened to Santa being the symbol of love and giving? Of joy and peace? Santa is not a commercial that gives you everything your heart desires.Santa is everyone around you celebrating, singing, dancing, sharing and spreading their cheer. Please remember that because after all the world is not full of grinches for he even had a heart.

Now, back to shopping. I love talking to people and listening to them. It makes my day and I Iearn so much from them. About ten years ago I put my thoughts into action and now when I shop I make a list of what I learned from friends and family. If I have my mom say I wish I still had that old sewing machine pattern from macalls , or my dad talking about an old golf club, my husband reminiscing about the days he repaired chainsaws and a certain saw he has not seen in awhile, my daughter talking about a out of print book or a comic of iron man, or my client telling me about the best amish pickled beets she enjoyed so much and another friend about all the different cookies and breads she loves - I put it on my list I carry on an notepad. Over the course of the year as I go to yard sales, estate sales and actions I usually will find these treasured memories that are wrote down.I collect them all in a tote and just before Christmas this santa delivers the goods after baking up the favorite cookies and breads to add to the deliveries. The pure joy of the smiles and more stories to hear and the hugs received truly is the best gift received.

If this is sounding like a great fun thing to do the number one place I love to go to is the Treasure Shack on Thompson Road just off the exit . These wonderful, honest, friendly people continue to amaze me with the vast amount of items they bring in. If your looking for it they have it.If you do not see it just ask and they will help you out. They have expanded the building and are doing so again. Everything is clean, the prices are good and sales are fantastic too. If you stop in please tell them that Donna shared the secret that they are the people to do business with.Im sure they will have a response! A few more places are memories in rankin, which holds many antiques as well as unique items and a great staff too, In Linden by the tracks is also a smaller antique shop that has many fascinating items as well. These are my three top picks for the area because they are clean, have honest people, and the coolest items. There are many more shops so you could make the day an adventure and have a fabulous treasure hunt.

I hope everyone enjoys shopping with thought and creativity for the holidays and birthdays as well as anniversaries and just because too.

Take care and until next time, Donna