A month without Walmart: Day 10: Challenges ahead as the holidays approach

It's day 10 of my self-imposed month without Walmart and I'm just about a third of the way through the month. I can't say I miss Walmart and I'm enjoying shopping at other stores in town. It also helps I spent the weekend out of town, it's a lot easier to not shop there if I'm in a town without a Walmart.

The response to my decision, and the corresponding blog, have been mixed. About an equal number of people have told me they don't shop there either and are enjoying my blog about joining their ranks as those who tell me Walmart is the greatest store ever and I should be ashamed of myself for wanting to shop anywhere else. Some people really love Walmart. I was surprised to get that reaction.

I also got an email after my last post about socks from a company in China trying to sell me socks. You just never know what's going to end up in your inbox when your email address is just hanging out there online. Most of the emails I do get from this blog are people from other countries asking for my help in cashing a money order or to otherwise help them spend a large fortunate they want to share with someone randomly selected from the Internet.

I still need to shop for my nieces and nephews for Christmas, which will be a challenge without an alternative one-stop shopping location in town. I'd like to keep my money in Mountain Home and not head to Boise, but I'm unaware of stores that sell baby items so I'll probably settle on the BX on the air force base.

Speaking of Christmas shopping, there are still a large number of children who were signed up to receive Christmas presents from the Giving Tree Program this year that have yet to be selected. Christmas trees with tags naming children and their ages can be found at locations around town at locations below. Donations must be received at the Caldwell Transportation Company on Sunset Strip by the 12th. I'd like to encourage everyone who can to make a donation this year and help out a local child who would appreciate your generosity a great deal. A little bit goes a long way this time of the year.

I am going to pick up a few toys before the deadline and plan to write about that experience once it gets closer.

Giving Trees can be found at:

Chamber of Commerce

Paul's

Bealls

Grinde's

Lucky Perk

Home Federal bank

City Hall

Elmore County Courthouse

St. Luke's Elmore Medical Center

Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church

Walmart

Edward Jones: Shane Zenner

Edward Jones: Patrick Cruser