Charm Bracelet Confessions of a Shopaholic

I have to admit it, shopping is my one truemembers, but would pass on one for myself to
enjoyment and pleasure in life. Even though I gostay on my holiday budget.
to all the stores and shop all the sales, I really onlyI loved the collection of gold charm bracelets and
buy just what I need. I get great deals on manychose one for my mother-in-law. For my
different things from clothing to home decorationsdaughter and sister in law I decided on the silver
and accessories. What I never expected that myones. Adding a few charms was definitely a must
shopping hobby would turn into a wonderfulon all the bracelets as well. On each bracelet I put
Christmas surprise and a collection of matchinga charm of their initials, plus also a beautiful charm
charm bracelets for the whole family.to represent the city in which we live.
There were hints I should have noticed, like theWhen Christmas day finally arrived I was so
fact that my husband suddenly started to wantexcited to give my charm bracelet gifts. I loved
to come to the stores we me. Normally hehow they all were unique and different, put also
dreads shopping, but all of a sudden he seemedhad the distinctive initial and city charms that
to want to be there no matter when or where Imade them coordinate with each other.
went.My gift was a huge, brightly decorated shopping
In addition to my husband, my daughter, who isbag. It was from the whole family and contained
not really all that into shopping suddenly alsothings from the stores I love to shop at. Also
wanted to go. So did the other female membersincluded was a long, rectangular box. When I
of the family including my sister-in-law and heropened it I was thrilled and kind of surprised to
mother. Despite these obvious clues thatsee one of the most elegant charm bracelets I
something was going on I really didn't give it ahad looked at earlier.
second thought.Even though we never discussed keeping the
Just before Christmas is a great time to find salescharms and the charm bracelets the same, the
and one day, while shopping on my own, I foundfamily had included both my initials and the exact
a jewelry store offering seventy-five percent offsame charm of the city on their bracelet to me.
their charm bracelets. This was on both silver andSo in the end we all had matching charm
gold, so I decided to get one for my familybracelets, without even meaning for it to happen.