I'm sure you're all aware that we're coming up on Easter. I really do love this time of year...flowers blooming, pastel colored clothes, dying easter eggs, etc... I love shopping for new Easter dresses for the girls and I've enjoyed picking out a little "man" outfit for Andy. This of course brings me to the point of this blog.I was in the mall earlier this week looking for an outfit for Andy. After an hour in The Children's Place going back and forth on the decision of, blazer or vest and bow-tie or long tie? I finally decided on a cute pastel striped sweater vest, khaki's and no tie. Although I did purchase a long tie because it was too cute to leave on the shelf. Anyway, I made my purchase and left to leave. Well, on the way to the exit we pass by the "oh so tantalizing" Easter bunny display scene in the middle of the mall. Peyton immediately aks, "OH, Mommy can we got see the Easter bunny?" Emily is not so sure about the whole idea, but I reluctanly say "yes". So off we go. Here it comes...you "moms" know exactly what I'm talking about...the "picture pressure" sale. We make our way around the cute little bunnies strategically placed in and around the fake garden of tulips, only to meet up with a mother's worst nightmare! The "picture package" displayed on the easel.
Let me just say, I'm all for a little "frivolous" spending every once and a while, but these "packaged" deals are CRAZY!!!
Easter Bunny Picture Pricing
"Ultimate " Bunny package--- 1 8x10, 2 5x7's, 4 wallets and a keychain ($49.95)
"Almost Ultimate" Bunny package---2 5x7's, 4 wallets ($39.95)
"Not so Ultimate" Bunny package---1 5x7 ($25.95)
"You must really not love your child" Bunny package---4 wallets ($16.95)
WHO'S UNDER THESE EARS? Is it Bill Gates or G.W. Bush? Why should we have to fork over $25 bucks for a 5x7 of our child sitting on the lap of some dude in an old smelly, matted bunny costume. Why do you think half of the kids are screaming "NO mommy, No,!
I dread these seasonal mall excursions for this reason. I hate having to tell my kids, "No, I'm sorry but Mommy doesn't have an extra arm to give to these nice "minimum paid" picture taking people. I'll work on growing another one so that next time you won't have to miss out on what would be a great memorable childhood experience." Does anyone else get the "look" from the bunny photographer that says, "your waisting my time if you just want to let your child sit on the bunny." It makes me so mad! I mean truly, how much does it cost them to take a picture print it out on horrible photo paper and put it in a paper frame. (that's only if the pic is a 5x7 or bigger) If you opt for the "you must really not love your child" package you don't even get the frame. And if you don't feel horrible enough for declining the great picture package deals they have they make it worse by not even allowing your child to have the plastic pinwheel that the Easter bunny is handing out. Apparently only the kids whose parents really love them get those. God forbid they waste one plastic pinwheel on a "pictureless" kid!
5 comments:
I know what you are talking about! If my kids even wanted to sit with the EB I would send Ben around the side with his digital to take pics and then they would probably yell at me...but whatever, it's America! My kids don't like Santa or the EB though, so I haven't really had to go through the steps of declining the photos, although everytime I see that price listing I gripe as loud as I can around the photographers!
I'm with you, Mel. I took the girls to see Santa back at Christmas, and they tried to sell me on the photos. I didn't get upset with them, but the prices are indeed outrageous. I just told them that if I wanted a picture of my kids with Santa that I would go right across the way to The Picture People and have a good one made for half the price.
I hear ya!! I actually do not take my kids to the mall during the holidays, because first of all I do not want to stand in a line that is a mile long, and secondly I don't want to get guilted into buying pictures. I'm probably not a very good mother for it, but I don't think that it will scare my children to much. Besides, our kids don't believe in Santa or the Easter Bunny, so I guess that helps me get out of it too.
So did you buy any pictures? :)
I avoid middle-of-the-mall-picture-package-photo-ops at all costs. But that's not very hard since the closest mall is an hour away.
YOu said it! DOn't talk to strangers is what we teach them from a very young age and then we put them on the "Bunny's" lap and ask them to SMILE! What mixed messages we give them!
Post a Comment