All I Want For Christmas...

The holidays can be tough when you are single.

I don't think I realized the effect that being boyfriend-free during the holidays had on me until a recent visit to new dollar store across the street.

As I purused the low cost offerings, I threw some funny stuff in my basket, (like some corny reindeer antlers to wear to work) and then browsed the "cooking" section.

This is the section of the dollar store that usually has measuring cups, plastic mixing bowls and dish towels. I scored some amazing ramekins at a dollar store about a year ago so I always make sure I give this section a well deserved visit.

I was browing the selections when I saw a holiday pot holder... and I suddenly got tears in my eyes.

I think it was a mix of "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" playing in the background and the fact that I had no one to decorate my kitchen with or cook holiday meals with that got to me. Or it could have been the fact that it was a Saturday night and I was in the Dollar Store. Alone.

My reaction surprised me so I swallowed hard and continued on to the picture frame isle... where stock photos of beauftiful couples smiled at me from inside the cheap frames. Great.

Normally I love shopping in dollar stores but this was getting especially hard for me. I needed to get out.

Determined to shake myself out of any single-during-the-holidays-blues I did what any other girl would do on a Saturday night. I went to the Marketplace Cafe at Wegmans in Downingtown.

I was content at Wegmans, sitting by the Christmas tree happily munching on veggie sushi rolls and a harvest salad lightly dressed with cranberries and cheddar. I sampled my way through the store trying wild mushroom soup and toothpick-fuls of coconut shrimp from the Chinese buffet.

Who needs one man when I could have a little bit of everything?

When I was was done eating I sampled a few gelato flavors from the coffee bar and flirted with the young guy behind the counter. I decided on a vanilla gelato and a decaf coffee. This was a good choice.

Any pre-holiday sadness I had melted away with creamy bits of gelato as I dunked it into my hot cup of coffee. And I was happy.

1056 East Lancaster Ave.
Downingtown, PA 19335
610-518-7800