<strong>By Lee Scott</strong>

There it was in The Island News!

An ad for one of the stores on Bay Street – Bay Street Treasures.

Finally, they are open So, I got on the phone and started to call other stores downtown. Sure enough, stores were opening with “social distancing” in place.

That is when I decided it was time to get my Christmas shopping done early. Maybe there would be a Black Friday sale.

With five married kids and 12 grandchildren, my husband and I have many gifts to buy during the year, although his gifts are mostly cash. I suggested that maybe this year we could be more creative. After all, we have six months.

I pulled out his Santa hat and my Reindeer ears and we started at one end of Bay Street. Each store that was opened provided measures for social distancing along with hand sanitizers. Most of the owners had masks on and had signs up asking the customers to wear a mask too.

No problem. After all, I am in that “senior” category!

As I was filling my bags, I realized that many of the stores had sale signs up as an enticement. Not only did I benefit from buying gifts early, but I was able to take advantage of the pre-Christmas sales.

Oh, that is right, they were post “Pandemic Closing” sales. We both bought things for ourselves too. It was easy shopping since the stores are not crowded. We found ourselves browsing and we were being incredibly careful not to pick up every little thing we saw.

When I went into Lulu Burgess for Christmas wrapping paper, I realized that I was not going to find any traditional wrapping paper. There were not any Christmas cards either. What did I expect?<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>It is May.

But that was okay, because there were enough gift items to pick up and besides, we have two grandsons graduating from 5th grade that needed cards.

Another thing I loved was The Emporium store which was selling locally made face masks. I bought eight, some of which I sent to relatives and a couple to keep for ourselves.

My spouse liked the madras one, and I got a colorful pink and blue striped. We have both been complimented. But I am going to have to go back, because you need to have a clean mask each day and I like the variety.

Lastly, I must clarify, that Bay Street Treasures told me they would prefer that I call before I come. Like me, they must be careful. But that is fine. After all, we are all in this together, neighbors taking care of neighbors.

So have a very Merry Christmas. Oh, never mind.

<i>Lee Scott, a writer and recent retiree, shares her everyday observations about life after career. A former commercial banker responsible for helping her clients to reach their business objectives, Scott now translates those analytical skills to her writings. She lives on St. Helena Island and enjoys boating, traveling and reading.</i>