It's December and the pre-Christmas excitement is building. (I don't think I've ever had so much beer stashed away than I have at the moment).
Of course, the season of goodwill is all about sharing joy and happiness, and being generous when you can.
And it was in this spirit that, yesterday afternoon, I was the recipient of all of the above from a kindly stranger wearing a TK Maxx uniform.
I was doing a bit of shopping in Leeds city centre with various family members in mind.
Father Christmas himself is obviously responsible for Jamie and Charlotte's gifts, so they weren't on my list.
But that was before I walked into TK Maxx to be met by a treasure trove of sheer toy goodness - at especially keen prices. I soon decided that Santa wouldn't mind if I acquired one or two extra bits for him to pass on to the kids on the big night. He could even have the credit.
So picked up a couple of fun-based items. Then a couple more. I got a big trolley basket. I picked up a couple more. Then a couple more. I ended up with 15 items in the end - an overflowing basket and all I could carry under my spare arm.
I wasn't really keeping a tally of what I was spending - Santa would be getting the bill in any case - but I knew I was well past the £100 mark as I joined the queue for the tills.
It was at this point that I first began to wonder whether I had perhaps gone a little bit too far. And, as I edged up the queue, it is likely that a mild degree of panic was etched across my face.
Cue arrival of nice TK Maxx lady, who was giving out sweets to sweaty customers. (I chose some fudge, just so you know).
As I thanked her, she surveyed my mountain of gifts.
"Do you know anyone who works for TX Maxx?" she asked.
"No," I replied (thinking that she was bound to).
"That's a shame," she said, "because there's a 20% family and friends staff discount today, but only today."
"Oh," I pondered, before doing what anyone else would do in this situation. Yes, I put on my "pathetic" face.
"That would have been very handy because I have bought quite a lot," I whimpered. "They're for my little boy and little girl, you know. He's five and she's three very soon. And..."
"You can be my friend," she interjected.
You can guess the rest - KER-CHING!!!!
It was my first taste of 2013 Christmas spirit, and I liked it.
Cue arrival of nice TK Maxx lady, who was giving out sweets to sweaty customers. (I chose some fudge, just so you know).
As I thanked her, she surveyed my mountain of gifts.
"Do you know anyone who works for TX Maxx?" she asked.
"No," I replied (thinking that she was bound to).
"That's a shame," she said, "because there's a 20% family and friends staff discount today, but only today."
"Oh," I pondered, before doing what anyone else would do in this situation. Yes, I put on my "pathetic" face.
"That would have been very handy because I have bought quite a lot," I whimpered. "They're for my little boy and little girl, you know. He's five and she's three very soon. And..."
"You can be my friend," she interjected.
You can guess the rest - KER-CHING!!!!
It was my first taste of 2013 Christmas spirit, and I liked it.
