The 8 Days of Christmas

While this household counts and celebrates 31 days of Christmas throughout the December calendar, we'll focus on the 8 days that lead to the big day starting today. Christmas has arrived through a different angle this year, which has been quite interesting.

We have been able to see a sort-of behind the scenes aspect of Christmas that most don't see or think about. Being the one in charge of the toy department at a major downtown department store really lets you experience the spirit of Christmas... Shopping! The legends are true, everyone is looking for a Turboman. And yes unfortunately we really only do have his faithful companion Booster.

Jingle All the Way ranks #3 on my favorite Christmas movies, and I'm only going to be able to relate to it more after these 8 days are through. The Christmas rush has truly begun and every day the toy aisles are packed as if it was a Saturday afternoon. I look back on when I first started this job. I remember thinking there is no way I will still be working by Christmas, it would be madness. Well here I am, in charge none the less. Though I can look back on the past 7 months as good training. I don't know how the noobs do it. Though my lovely co-worker Adler seems to have found a good solution to customer questions he is unable to answer.. "Go talk to Patrick, he's the expert." Please remind me to write about Adler one of these days haha.

So what is 2008's Turboman? Believe it or not, it appears to be the Easy Bake Oven! After decades of popularity, this toy is still as demanded as ever. I've never tasted anything made out of one of these 'ovens', but they really can't be that good. What happened to a parent just teaching their child how to cook alongside them? To make actual real deserts, or better yet... a real meal. Kids are getting enough deserts already, they don't need to make their own. But there must be something to that little oven. I know I did want one when I was younger.. And when I first started working in toys, I would pass by it and have some excitement come over me when I saw the $29.99 price tag. At that price I could easily buy myself one! Then you realize, oh right I my own real oven to make real food.

Regardless there are alot of people and alot of questions to answer this week. The one that still gets me the most is "what toy do you recommend for a 4 year old?" I don't think I should really be expected to answer this! There are a million different possibilities. Even if you pick out a random toy that engulfs the 4 year old age in its holy age range, then you get the classic line. And this usually comes from the grandparents shopping.."Well he's 4 years old, but he's really more at an 8 year old level.. he's really smart." You hear it so much now it just makes me laugh. Everyone's child is always so smart.

That's just a little taste of what goes on daily in these crowded aisles. I figure we've only just begun the madness that will be the holiday shopping rush. 7 days til Christmas now.. Should be fun.