This is a scheduled re-post from Oct 23/09 to tie you over till I’m back from my Mexican vacation.  I won’t be able to visit any of your blogs during this time, but I’ll make it up to you when I’m back.  Promise.

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The Youngest has been invited to a kid’s birthday party this weekend. It’s for a girl in his Grade 1 class.  Which means I have to buy a present.  A present for a little girl.

I myself haven’t been a little girl for a really long time few years, and even when I was, I wasn’t a very girlie-girl. And as this blog suggests – there aren’t any other girls in my house besides me.  Nor do I have young nieces or god-daughters.  In fact, pretty much everyone I know under the age of 10 has a penis.

So what the hell do I buy for her?!?!?!

That was the question I wrangled with as I aimlessly walked around the girl’s section of Toys R Us yesterday morning – for what felt like hours.  It’s like a different country in those aisle, I tell you.  A foreign land.  A sea of pink and purple.  Comprised of unfamiliar trinkets and unusual playthings.

What do 6 year old girls like?  Well I’ll tell you.  According to the marketing gurus at Toys R Us,  if it’s pink or purple – they will like it.  Because that seems to be the theme of any and all packaging in the girl’s section.  Oh, and Hannah Montana.  Judging by the vast quantity of Hannah items, all you need to do is throw her picture on a box and it’s as good as sold.

I considered taking the easy way out and getting her a gift card.  But what 6 year old is impressed by that?

So I opted for a jewelry making kit that has 1,100 (!) beads in it – some are pretty colors and shapes, and some are alphabet beads.  Which means that it could be considered mildly educational.  A gift that tells the other Mom that I must be:

a) a  really good Mom who values education and;

b) a cool Mom who likes jewelry.

Because that happens, doesn’t it?  When we don’t actually know the other parents, we are judged by the gifts we send.  So I always take great care to send gifts that are attractive to both the recipient as well as the parent.  Because I don’t wish to be the subject of any post-party ridicule.

And so the little birthday Princess can make necklaces, bracelets and key chains for everyone she’s ever met and still have beads left over.  I actually thought it looked kinda cool.  And fun.  And I think I’m going to put it on my own Christmas list this year.

So when I give you a handmade beady something-or-another, please act surprised.