Christmas Splurges

I’m not exaggerating when I say I’ve wanted a KitchenAid stand mixer for as long as I can remember. Something about that solid hunk of metal says “Serious Baker” to me like nothing else. And this year I finally got one, thanks to my sweet husband and a well-planned strategy involving a pre-Christmas sale, a coupon, and a rebate. If Tim had any doubts about whether or not this expense would be worth it, I’m sure those concerns have been put to rest by the fact that I’ve used the thing nearly every day since its purchase in mid-December. Sometimes twice in one day.

Is there anything you think is worth splurging on? When Tim and I were first married, I worked at Dayton’s department store during the holidays to earn some extra money and to buy a few things from our wedding registry. I also bought a Coach purse using my employee discount. It’s a beautiful purse—basic black with a simple, classic design—and I’ve happily used it for 16 years and will likely continue to do so for many more years. We also registered for Ralph Lauren towels and those lasted much longer than the other towels we purchased. I think some things become popular because they’re truly well-made. Although, I don’t think I’d ever have it in me to splurge on a $20,000 Birkin bag, no matter how well made it was.

Speaking of, I spent an hour or so at an upscale shopping center in an upscale suburb the week before Christmas. Everything felt luxurious, from the French lotions in beautiful packaging to meticulously crafted chocolates. There’s even a Tiffany & Co., and as I looked at their window displays, I thought about Holly Golightly and her assertion that nothing very bad could happen to you at Tiffany’s. Holly was searching for peace, security, and a sense of belonging, and I suppose, at the end of the day, that’s what we’re all trying to create this time of the year with our gifting. And receiving. Splurges are in the eyes of the beholders, and the possibility of creating a new narrative for ourselves might be found in a handcrafted piece of chocolate or a designer hand bag—or a stand mixer.

Today the boys will be burning garland and anything else they can come up with, while the girls and I go run errands. We have no food in the house, plus they desperately need clothes. Lily’s down to one pair of jeans with no holes and Lexie only has two long-sleeved shirts. It’s very challenging to dress four children who grow overnight in a climate that changes drastically every three months, let me tell you. One last thought about splurges: I dream of dressing us like this, vintage car and all.