Many years ago I would always wrap all the Christmas presents that I bought, and I took pride in making them look nice with ribbons and bows. Then, at some point I became lazy and simply put them in gift bags. Last week, when I was grocery shopping, I saw rolls of wrapping paper. I guess a wave of nostalgia came over me, and I decided that I was going to wrap presents again. Some of the gifts were easily wrapped, but other items, such as clothing, needed gift boxes.
Where was I going to find gift boxes? I went to the little "papelería" (stationery store) around the corner, but they didn't have any. Then I thought of "Lumen"... a chain of office supplies / art supplies / stationery store that I have mentioned before. I found one on Google Maps that was not too far from the apartment. I called and asked if they had gift boxes, and the lady on the phone said, "Yes". So I headed off to "Lumen" with the big bag that I use when I go grocery shopping. They did have boxes, although I wiped them out of the largest size. I also added more rolls of wrapping paper, a package of gift tags, and a couple packages of tissue paper to the shopping cart. However, they did not have ribbons or bows.
I went to the check out, and unfortunately some of the boxes did not have bar codes for the price. Another employee had to go search for the prices. I was embarrassed because there was a line of people behind me. "Lo siento," (I'm sorry) I said to the lady behind me, and she smiled and said "No se preocupe." (Don't worry about it.) The guy behind her, who had looked sort of impatient, kindly helped me fit all the stuff into my shopping bag after I had paid. We joked about the fact that I needed a bigger shopping bag.
I made it back to the apartment with all of my supplies.
The boxes are now filled and wrapped. However, after all the things Alejandro and I bought at the market along Paseo de la Reforma this weekend, I now need MORE boxes! I guess I will have to go back to "Lumen", and hopefully they have restocked their shelf. I also need to find a place that sells ribbons and bows. Maybe "Parisina", the fabric store where I bought the green felt for my Nativity scene, will have them.
Amazing that you found tissue paper!!! I have looked each year but to no avail. I bring it from the USA or have a friend bring it who is coming down!
ReplyDeleteI find it all the time at Woolworth de México. The little "papelerías" here have it too, but they usually sell individual sheets.
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