Wrap it Up

Have you encountered product lock-down? It occurs when you purchase a product, take it home and discover that the manufacturer played a bad joke on you by packaging the product so securely that you can’t open it. The worst packages require the use of tools, bare hands just won’t do.

Buy a child’s toy and you’ll struggle with the fused plastics that companies use to hermetically seal in their trucks and dolls. Those plastic edges are dangerous!  The packages ought to come with warnings because there’s a strong possibility you’ll emerge from the ordeal bruised and bloodied. Opening jars can be difficult, too. Why does it take the strength of four hands or warm water trickled over a lid to open a jar?  Earlier this week I almost strained a muscle trying to open a package of crackers. Some things should not be.

Here’s my solution to the problem: manufacturers should package everything in bubble wrap.  It’s easy to open, keeps products safe, has multiple uses and provides unlimited entertainment.  Do you need proof of bubble wrap’s popularity? Someone chose January 31 as National Bubble Wrap Day and if you check on Facebook, you’ll see that a number of people think bubble wrap is awesome. It even has its own page. Go ahead, “friend” it, you know you want to. Check out something else that’s awesome:

I’m sure you already know many interesting ways to use bubble wrap. If you could bubble wrap something (or someone) precious in your life, who or what would it be and why?

    

The Real Deal

Have you noticed how people and situations seem normal and ordinary at first glance? People mosey about their daily activities, kids go to school and parents go to work. But upon closer examination, you’ll find that everything is not as it appears.

Watch how things unfold. Every so often packages show up at your door only to be whisked away from the light of day and tucked into a nook or cranny. Look around. You may find a box or two stuffed in a rarely used closet, under a bed or stashed in the basement. Day by day the house percolates with more and more packages, shopping bags, wrapping paper and ribbons, (don’t forget tape) all in preparation for Christmas.

Just prior to roasting and hosting for holiday gatherings, we go public by adorning our homes with decorations, inside and out. Suddenly, there’s an explosion of color: twinkling lights, glimmering candles and a beautiful tree placed just right. If you’re not in the holiday mood, you will be after hearing the carols play over and over and over. When a smile plays at the corner of your mouth—you’ve caught the Christmas spirit!

Since the kids in our family are older, they understand the real deal about Santa. You know, the inside scoop about how ordinary men wear the red outfit, listen to gift requests and shake the donation bell—Santa can’t be everywhere at once.    

How do store managers decide which candidates will make good Santas? Do managers ask to hear a ho, ho, ho or do candidates take personality tests? On the surface many Santas look the part, but somehow I doubt store management expected this riveting performance.

              

Wow. No one expects a boogie-woogie Santa. He must be an impersonator. I’m sure you’ve experienced your share of fakes and phonies and can spot something genuine when you see it. What’s authentic? Who or what is the real deal?