It’s that time of year again. The PS 321 PTA Candy Sale packets arrived home in my daughter’s backpack this week. It’s an important fundraiser and it makes more money for the school than just about any other fundraiser the PTA does all year. And this is money that is used for enrichments ike art, chess, music, band and more.
It’s amazing, really. Because there’s almost nothing I want in those catalogs. I usually stick to wrapping paper. Sometimes I find a knick-knack or two. But after 8 years at the school, I really don’t want or need anything from Southern Living, American Scents, or the Winter Nights catalog.
A friend who is new to the school wondered if she could just write a check instead of buying something from the candy sale that she doesn’t want or need. I told her that the PTA would probably invite her to do just that shortly but that I was sure she could find something, just one thing to buy. But she said there was nothing, NOTHING (not even wrapping paper) she’d ever want to
buy. So I said that I’d go home and find something worth buying.
So here goes.As I flip through one of the catalogs I find myself agreeing with my friend’s acessment that there;s little I would want to make room for in my house. Even the candy looks gross. There are weird ceramic Hanukkah menorahs and corny frames, single hot dog trays, cheese party paks, and beef summer sausage. Filled with scented candles, there is nothing in the American Scents catalog I can recommend
But I am challenging myself to find ten items I’d like to have. If you want something I mention, email me at louise_crawford@yahoo.com and I can order it for you. It’s for a really, really good cause: our children’s education.
1. BY FAR YOUR BEST BET: The Winter Nights catalog includes
dozens of magazine subscriptions for only $10 bucks, including Time,
Entertainment Weekly, Coastal Living, Real Simple, Parenting, Sunset,
Cooking Light, This Old House, Fitness, Nation Geographic, Travel and
Leisure, Car and Driver and more.
2. THIS LOOKS HANDY IF YOU’RE DESPERATE: Coffee Dreams Emergency Phone Number List. Magnetic, adheres to most metal surfaces. Fold, 6 inches high – $5.50
3. NOT AS BAD AS IT SOUNDS: "Collage of Colors" Umbrella. Butterfly-print umbrella. 38"D. $12.00.
4. USEFUL AND NOT TOO UGLY: Butterfly Magnetic Note Pad and Magnet. Fancy list pad for making notes.
5. SOMETHING YOU DON’T NEED THAT YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT: Water bottle ice cube trays. Set of 2. $7.50.
6. WHY NOT. IT’LL GET THE KIDS TO DO SOME CHORES: Disney Responsibility Chart. Adheres to most metal surfaces. Write-and-wipe surface. Pen included.
7. HOW BAD CAN IT BE? BOTTLE OF MAPLE, BLUEBERRY OR PEACH SYRUP. $10. each.
8. YA ALWAYS NEED GROUND COFFEE: 12 oz. COLOMBIAN, VANILLA CREAM OR MORNING
9. I DON’T NEED THIS BUT YOU MIGHT: Car organizer . Made of durable fabric, this 8 pocket car organizer is a great way to keep things neat and handy. $15.
10. THIS ACTUALLY SOUNDS INTERESTING: Nacho Jalapeno Seasoned Virginia Peanuts. PEANUTS. Not too hot they say. $8.50.
There. I did it. It didn’t take long to browse through these catalogs filled with glossy pictures of chocolate covered peanut brittle and Copper Classic Maple Nut Fudge (actually that sounds pretty good).