A few months ago I started volunteering at a local hospital. It's very rewarding. It screams of purpose and community and all those things that make us feel good about ourselves while helping others. But I'm gonna be honest. The best part of the job is the hospital gift shop.Stay with me here.
When I signed up I was given the option to work in the gift shop. No thanks. They even dangled a 30% staff-discount offer in front of me, somehow knowing that discounts and clearance stickers make me a little tingly. Still, no. I have no need for cheesy hospital fare, discounted or not.
As I was leaving the orientation meeting , I stopped in the gift shop to “better familiarize myself with the hospital”. It had nothing to do with the big SALE sign in the window. Really.
(Cue gasp) “Oooooooh, look at this.” Followed by . . .
“Oh my gosh, I have to have one.” And then a little . . .
“This is sooooo perfect for my living room!” And on and on and on.
Gone were the racks of hokey, gingham-clad teddy bears and sappy greeting cards I remembered from childhood. In their place were shelves lined with high-end purses, jewelry, candles, and decorative platters. Turn, and there were wine glasses, and scarves, and lamps – oh my. It was like stumbling across a hidden boutique that you've never seen before. The land of OZ for a shopper like me.
Here are pics of some of my favorite purchases. Keep in mind this is a representation of my volunteer paycheck, not necessarily their offerings. I realize not everyone is going to have the same experience I did. But my point is, things change. Even hospital gift shops. Why wait for someone to get sick? Stop in and see if you get lucky like I did. And remember to tell me all about it.
top image: cardinal bird feeder
bottom images, from left: cardinal salt & pepper shaker I just couldn't resist; glass votive holder; beaded votive holder; silver bracelet with quote from Mother Teresa; decorative bird cage
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