Road to Hell Series: Brass Owl Nutcracker
Posted: February 28th, 2013 | Filed under: Just for fun, Shoppin' and Junkin' | Tags: Road to Hell Series, Vintage Brass Owl Bottle Opener | 10 Comments »
So, while most of us would never want to admit we’ve been anything but generous and selfless stalwarts of society, reeking of rainbows and unicorns, there is also that pesky thing called reality.
Something less selfless happened today that is a semi-regular occurrence. I feel the shame, but I still do the deed…again and again.
I go vintage shopping to find something great and unique for a specific person. I buy said something. I cannot give it away. NOTE: This only happens with vintage finds. If there is something new I’m buying for someone else, rare angst. I know I can get one myself should I decide I want to pursue it. Eccentric vintage modern fabulousness? WAY harder.
It gets worse.
Then, to ease my guilt, I end up buying something a wee bit more extravagant for the giftee, as some bizarre rationalization for keeping something they never even knew about. WHO AM I?!
So, all that to say, I am starting a series called the Road to Hell, so I can show which items have made me such a selfish, greedy lost cause. Because, as the saying goes; The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
We’ll start with today’s transgression. A brass owl nutcracker, found at the new and improved Old Made Good. For all those nuts I crack.
Yes, he’s missing an eye (sound familiar?)
So, go on, admit it…what is your favorite “gift” that never made it to the intended recipient?
I simply cannot enter a thrift store with the intent to purchase something for someone else… it’s just not going to happen.
Rationalization 3 bazillion: You can’t give away something damaged (missing an eye), I’d need to replace or swap out the old eye for new ones…right?
That is so funny!! I have one story which I think is worse than yours……about buying something, keeping it for a while, and then giving it the person!! I mean it was antique and used to begin with so maybe it is not so bad??
So glad you made it over there! It’s pretty great…right? Hell, maybe I will just glitter my kitchen floor and call it a day.
It’s probably better than giving it to the person, then secretly becoming bitter toward them because it’s in their house instead of yours. Not that I would know that from first hand experience, of course.
I have my own Road to Hell at Christmas. I buy something for a friend and get one for me too. Sometimes, I just buy for me. I’m guilty.
Oh what a twisted web we weave. I’m the same way. I rarely buy vintage gifts because I’m too attached to let them go. We’ve all got our little idiosyncrasies!
Hmm….I’ve only been guilty of this like a bazillion times. You are completely normal and not going to Hell……I don’t think.
Thanks for making me feel better friends! Nice knowing you aren’t alone in these things!
I do this. REGULARLY. And compensate by purchasing things for these people that are amazing and adorable but that I am not at all in danger of keeping (usually vintage baby clothes!!!!)
If you can believe it I used to GIVE AWAY MY TEXTILES to assuage the guilt! But now I know better and hoard those, too. The most amazing woven thing I’ve ever found, I gave to Morgan. And I’ve been trying to get it back ever since.