100 Spondulicks!

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This month, Esme Salon gives us a picture prompt with a difference. If someone gave you $100 dollars (in my case €100) what would you do with it?

I spent quite a while considering what I’d do with a random gift of €100. I wanted to be honest and to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Today I know exactly what I’d do with it.

We’re going to the City of Tribes tomorrow. Galway! There’s nothing quite like the buzz of Galway City on a normal day, but around Christmas time, it’s more of a sparkly fuzzy buzz. Now…throw in the Christmas markets and what do you get? An injection of the jollies and feel good vibes!

Galway Tourism

I love to support the stall holders at the markets but my Christmas budget never allows me to buy from them all, and this year is no different. I’m sure they enjoy being a part of the markets, but for most it’s their livelihood, and I’ve no doubt it can’t be easy, especially considering the times we live in. Not to mention our unpredictable weather.  

So…what if €100 magically appeared from nowhere, you know…just appeared? In an envelope maybe, with a big sticker on it that says; Spend as you Wish Gloria. Sure, I’d take it with me to Galway. My purse forgets what cash looks like.

Would I spend it all on myself? Tut tut…of course not! Not all of it.

The plan is forming in my head. I’m visualising Stephano sitting at the top of the big wheel with Little Miss Ten and our Spanish exchange student, Alice. As I’m not a fan of heights, I’ll wander around all wrapped up in my winter woollies. The smell of bratwursts and mulled wine will tease my taste buds. I know I’ll buy a mulled wine. Nothing like it to warm the cockles!  

As I sip on my mug of hot spiced vino, I’ll watch the smiling faces of wide-eyed children, and adults alike, as they go round and round on the colourful carousel. I took a ride on it a couple of years ago and I held on so tight that my fingers went numb. Scary!

Pixabay

Carol singers will have me under their spell, as their joyous choruses gently remind me of the true meaning of Christmas. I’ll stand for a while and sing softly with them. I’ll remember my dad who is gone two years, and my mother who can’t seem to accept his passing. I’ll feel sad for a moment, but then I’ll move on. I’ll smile to myself and shift my sombre thoughts to the good things in my life. It has to be that way, because dwelling on sadness might lead me to a miserable existence.

I’ll find a hat stall. Instead of adding another hat to my colossal collection, I’ll buy one for my daughter, who seems to have my hat collecting genes. And if I see an exceptionally gorgeous one, I’ll get it for myself. One new hat per year is totally acceptable.

Oh…handmade soaps. Can’t pass them. The floral and herby scents will entice me to part with my cash. And all that pretty packaging…gimmee! It will be a present for someone of course, but if I can’t think of anyone who appreciates handmade soap, I’ll keep it for myself. My mother won’t be getting it because I bought her one about 20 years ago and it’s still in her bathroom in its wrapper. Soap is for using!

What my mother appreciates better than smelly soap is chocolate. Her most favourite thing in the world. I’ll find a chocolate stall and pick out something she’ll like. Now, she wouldn’t refuse any type of chocolate, but she has her favourites; nutty, chunky, velvety. I’m sure there’ll be plenty to choose from.

Pixabay

When Stephano and the girls come down from their dizzy heights, I’ll take them for a bratwurst. A wee taste of Germany and we can pretend for a few minutes that we’re in Garmisch—Partenkirchen on the snowy slopes. Or perhaps we’ll share a taste of Spain with Alice, by having a dish of paella.

I’ll buy something crafty, like hand-painted ceramics and jewellery, a quirky Christmas decoration for my son and his girlfriend. I should have some money left over for some mistletoe and holly to take to my daughters house on Christmas Day. €100 doesn’t really stretch too far.

Yes, it’s lovely to dream about spending money. We do know it’s not all about the money but by spending it in the right places, we’re helping someone to live. Whether it be through a charity or supporting a small local business, you’re doing somebody a favour.

What would you do with €100/$100 if it landed on your lap? Follow this link to take part in Esme’s Picture Prompt 5

Picture Prompt #4 

Picture Prompt #3 

Picture Prompt #2  

Picture Prompt #1

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20 thoughts on “100 Spondulicks!”

  1. I love your imaginary tale of shopping for everyone and fanning the coffers of local emporiums. A great visual read. Thank you. X merry Crimbo Glo may you spread your light everywhere you go. (Did you see what I did? GLOWING glo.xxx

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    • Thanks Ellen. 😆 and yes… I saw what you did. I’ll keep my glowing halo as polished as the Queen’s silver spoons! 😅 Happy Christmas to you and all your family Ellen! 👪

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  2. I once found a $100.00 bill on the sidewalk. I bought myself a pair of $200.00 sandals on sale for $100.00. I wore them for years. I like your idea of spending it at a fair, helping out the local vendors.

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  3. Wonderful way to spend your cash. I have tried to support local artisans during covid by purchasing artisan gift boxes during the year. A variety of items from different artists in box. With no crafts show for a period plus me not wanting to go with the crowds it was something I could do. This has been so hard for people . Any support I am sure is appreciated.

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  6. Such a great way to spend the money, especially during the festive season. Nothing beats the Christmas markets, sipping mulled wine and joining in the Christmas carols. I also love the fact you’d spend it supporting small local businesses, it’s definitely something I am conscious of and try to do when I can, especially around Christmas. Purchasing homemade gifts from people local is such a lovely touch 🙂

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  7. Really enjoyed this Gloria, there’s not too much Christmas Spirit around here at the moment. I walked your journey in my head and it was a lovely escape . Hopefully we’ll meet up over the Christmas 😘👍🏽❤️🙏🏽 Xx

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  10. Hi Gloria, What a lovely idea with the 100 pound ‘windfall’!. I too enjoy markets and browsing, and especially its double-purpose. Several years ago, one of my dear sisters-in-law and I – having just moved from full to part-time work, but still saving…had a little to spare, so we decided to ‘go into” the Antiques (ha ha) business, and loved modest auctions With 100 pounds between us, we would bid for all sorts of ‘treasures’ and had visions of finding something a bit special. We did find some ‘goodies’ amongst the tat, but, often, piled up ‘collectibles’ to discover they were ‘in’ last year but not this…’ We rarely made a profit, but it was great fun. So ‘if’ someone gave me a 100 pound note again, I’d be tempted to seek out another Auction Room. Who knows what Christmas presents I may find!
    ,

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    • I love browsing the markets. My mother gets such fantastic bargains in thrift shops and markets. She loves car boot sales too. She upcycles most things so well, that you’d swear she bought them brand new. She has a great eye for things.
      That sounds like great fun Joy, even if you didn’t make a fortune with your finds!
      Thanks for reading and commenting.

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