Does Lindsay really need an introduction? I mean, really? You know who she is. But here’s something about her that you may not know: she looks just as perfect in person as she does in her photos. And I hate her for it. But love her for everything else. Not that creepy-eyed-stalker way, but just the regular ol’ she’s-my-new-BFF way.
Who doesn’t love T.J. Maxx?
It’s where I go first for bed linens, pillows, and bath towels, not to mention photo albums, picture frames, men’s socks and belts. I sometimes find great kids’ clothes and shoes there, and once or twice I’ve even found clothing and shoes for myself, although it generally takes more searching than my attention span can handle.
Yes, it’s hard not to love all that T.J. Maxx has to offer.
Unless it comes from someone else. In a gift bag.
T.J. Maxx presents are unmistakable, mostly because you were there just last week and you totally recognize them. Still, you have to go through the motions…
“Oh look, honey, your sister sent us a liqueur cake again for Christmas! How… kind of her.”
“Wow. Ralph Lauren flip flops. Where on earth did you find these?”
“Ooh, what do we have here? Biscotti from Germany, blue cheese-infused olive oil, and a jar of Spanish olives? Well isn’t this an imaginative birthday present…”
All this despite the fact that you saw the liqueur cakes stacked up on clearance at the front of the store just last week. You know damn well that Ralph Lauren flip flops are a T.J. Maxx staple. And you can still see the the marks on the food items where the closeout stickers used to be.
Still, you’re forced to sit there and ooh and ah over your gift. Sure, it’s the thought that counts, but the problem with the T.J. Maxx gift is that you all have to sit around pretending that you think these flip flops came from an upscale department store, when you and the giver both know damn well they were in the bargain bin at T.J. Maxx for ten dollars.
And don’t get me started on the food. By the time it gets to T.J. Maxx, who knows how old it is? Frankly, TJ Maxx food scares me. But we have to exclaim over the stuff like we think it came from Williams-Sonoma.
Yeah. Riiiiiight.
Presents from Target are great. Presents from Wal-Mart are wonderful. They are, after all, what they claim to be. But there’s something about the T.J. Maxx present that just doesn’t sit right with me, particularly when it comes from a close friend or family member. Repeatedly.
Maybe it’s because the giver isn’t saying, “I care enough to give you the very best,” but rather, “I care enough to give you the deeply discounted. Over and over again.”
Uh. Thanks.
Thanks, Maria, for giving me the chance to post one of those rants I can’t put on my own blog, since the prime T.J. Maxx culprit in my life reads it!
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Too funny!
For me it’s costco…And I’m the giver… I’m always afraid those kid books I give are going to be recognized because really, we all shop there!
Lindsay, perhaps you should post it on your blog in that case…
The latest from Vic @ Glowstars…Missing Children
LOL!
I agree. That’s why I always leave the price tag on –so people know where I got it and how much I paid.
The latest from Meg…Famous People, Foreigners & Foreign Films
I’m the opposite when it comes to giving gifts (usually). There are fancy stores I buy gifts from, but can never justify buying something for myself there. Like baby boutiques and Fred Segal, to name a few.
I’ve never been in a T.J. Maxx and had no idea they sold food. That just seems wrong. Especially in a gift.
The latest from Zellmer…Funk
This is a comment for the last post, but I wanted to make sure you got it, OK? The pot thing? Uh, me too. And peeing in the shower? On a regular basis. It saves time. Cheers!
The latest from Ashley…Attention All Mothers (for NieNie)
Here in Canada, TJ Maxx is called Winners. I’m pretty sure it’s meant in a snide way, like calling a fat guy “Tiny”. I used to have a friend who Christmas shopped there. I was extremely happy she and I were not on a gift-exchanging basis.
Great post!
The latest from Ginny…What’s This, Then?
T.J. Maxx is the shit.
The latest from Miss…Ocean Sized Love
I don’t have patience to dig through all the crap at TJM. More power to ya if you do!
I have never been to a TJ Maxx.
The latest from Kori…Do I Have To Love Her Close Up?
We have cheese, peas, BVD’s, facial tissues to handle a sneeze,
we have threads, breads, things for your beds and in the proper season toboggans and sleds.
(a radio add for a store called SuperAmerica I had to play when working at the local station during the 60’s)
LOL
The latest from LarryLilly…Great, now I am being told I am a woman
Hahahahaha
I know exactly what you mean!!!
The latest from Sybil Law…Lovey Munsters
I lurve me some T.J. Maxx. I got my favorite purse from them. I don’t think I’ve ever received a gift from there.
Ross on the other hand….
T.J. Maxx is Target. Ross is Wal-Fart.
Lindsay, I’m so glad I found you on Maria’s blog. You’re SO being added to my blog list, and I can’t wait to blog stalk you! Thanks!
Lindsay, thank you for making me feel less alone. Our Canadian equivalent is Winners and I must confess I’ve done more than one violent inner eye roll while gushing over the tin of stale nuts or smashed biscuits that were purchased for more than 70% off regular price. My revenge is getting them right back the first chance I get – though I usually do a better job at peeling off the 15 price stickers before wrapping. I do have standards after all.
You guys are so funny. Thanks for all your comments.
Katie, I’m getting even, too. I too have decided to match TJ Maxx gift for TJ Maxx gift. You give me a TJ Maxx gift? You get one in return. I am totally serious.
I am tired of agonizing over just the right gift for these people, anyway. And I can’t stop laughing while I’m choosing their TJ Maxx surprise.
The latest from Suburban Turmoil…Your Helped is Most Urgently Requires in these Matter
Hilarious, but unfortunately true.
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Great! Now I have that damn TJ Maxx jingle stuck in my head! :[
Ta-Ta Ta-Ta Ta-Ta Ta-Ta TJ Maxx!
The latest from Daddy Dan…Farewell and Goodbye
We have relatives who repeatedly give the kids crappy gifts that are clearly from TJ Maxx, Marshalls or Ross. At least when it is something, lame, too big, duplicate etc, from Wal-Mart, you can easily exchange it- not so with these places, which I hate. Those gifts go into the special re-gifting stash, which the recipients of are surely just a grateful to get them as we were… so I guess I shouldn’t talk.
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Well, I have a pair of sequined Tommy Hilfiger-via-TJ Maxx flip flops (yes, my giftgiver seems to be obsessed with flip flops) sitting by my bedroom door right now. They’re on their way to the Goodwill bin, completely unworn. There, they will cost someone a dollar or two, which is, seriously, what they’re worth.
The latest from Suburban Turmoil…Your Helped is Most Urgently Requires in these Matter
Haha my mother-in-law gets me gifts just about exclusively from TJ Maxx.
Luckily I dig really goofy baked goods and kitchen items.
The latest from Maria…tuesday morning, you sure look fine
Nothing says Holiday Clearance cheer like a nice wrought iron rooster napkin holder with a mini clock in it and Enyce jeans!
The latest from BusyDad…Sorry Mom
It could be worse…it could have been the gift she received last year…from you (that you received). Or, maybe that’s a step up, I’m not sure.
The latest from Ashley…I LOVE it!
*lol* It’s called “regifting” and getting rid of those things at the company Secret Santa gift swap!
The latest from Auds at Barking Mad…For My Hero…Happy Birthday
A few years ago, I sent my mom a high end scarf in a distinctive box with nice paper inside etc. and the next Christmas she sends me a different scarf, synthetic, label tag removed in the same goddamn box trying to pawn it off as high end. She’s also a terrible regifter and has given me my own presents back more than once.
The latest from Chris/FormerlyFun… Oh No They Di’n't
HA!! That is funny as hell.
I’ve never even DREAMED of buying the food at TJ Maxx. Love the store, but that stuff looks nasty.
I can’t even fathom giving it as a gift, unless it was some kind of cruel joke.
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