Gift Shopping

Gift Shopping

Christmas is right around the corner. As truck drivers we have some challenges about how we go shopping. Whether we are shopping for gifts, groceries to restock our refrigerator in the truck or buying other necessities of life we are always facing parking issues as well as navigation concerns. Fortunately, there are ways of shopping via websites or shopping apps. Unfortunately, we don't know where we might be to take delivery of what it is we are buying.

To be honest, we have not gone completely high-tech. Dave prefers to go to the store to buy things. I, on the other hand, would prefer to do most of my shopping via apps or websites. If we do buy things online, we try to make sure that we will be home to accept the packages. We are also blessed to have some wonderful neighbors who watch out for us and any items that might be left outside.

Recently, we decided to try buying things through Amazon and having the items delivered to our home away from home. This was something new to us as the location has mail boxes but also has us use a special address for packages. We were not sure if our items would show up at the mailbox on site or at our physical address. We found out that some of the items purchased came to the mailbox while others came to our physical address. There did not seem to be any rhyme or reason as to why each package went where it went. We are still trying to figure it out. The positive outcome was that regardless of where the packages ended up all items were received.

Many drivers use Instacart to buy and have groceries delivered right to their truck. We tried it once but have not done our grocery shopping in that way again. I cannot say why. I guess it is because Dave prefers to see the produce that he is buying. Fortunately, our smaller truck allows us to park in places like Walmart where we can go in and buy what we need. We also learned that because we are Costco executive members we can enter any Costco an hour before their posted hours. This helps us to find parking before the masses make their way to the store.

As for our gift shopping, we have not exchanged gifts in a very long time. We buy what we want or need throughout the year. We do exchange gifts with family members and some close friends. Recently, I have found some unique gifts for extended family through some of the adds found on Facebook. They have arrived on time and were a big hit. Of course, we have to buy something for all of the pets in our family too! Currently, there are six dogs between three families! We almost have more animals than humans at our family holiday celebrations.

Here's to millions of safe, profitable and GIFTING miles.

Kelly Plumb