And On the 8th Day God Created the Cell Phone

Yes, I know he did not.  However, he should have.  I simply say that to underscore the importance of the cell phone in a relationship during the holiday season. 

Now what this observation is not about.  It is not about tracking or texting photos or sending love notes. It is not about annoying rings. It is not about people talking too loudly.  It is a simple observation about the value of a cell phone in a relationship during a stressful time of the year.  

First, you must accept that the holiday season can be stressful in numerous ways. If not, go back to the rerun of Law and Order you are watching.  If you agree, please continue. 

Over the Christmas holidays, I noticed a unique phenomenon at grocery stores. This is the peak season for this phenomenon.  So many men have faced this dilemma and it always starts with a simple request:

"Honey can you run to the store and pick up ... ?"

Second, some history.  Those of us that lived the pre-cell days know that this is problematic. Pre-cell days I would go the grocery store.  If I got the wrong item (which was often), I would get irritated and have to go back. I suspect some variance of this is repeated in every city of every state in the US.  No man wants to make repeated trips to the store, we have sports to watch. 

A couple of examples are in order for those who doubt me.

"Honey, can you run to the store and pick up whipping cream?" 

So I head out the door. Does she mean pre-whipped?  Or a liquid form? If a liquid from, pasteurized or ultra-pasteurized (whatever the difference is)?  Yes, I would buy one and proudly take it home.  It was wrong.  Now I had to go back and get the right one.  I stopped trying to get my money back or exchange it. I take it you recall the long, long, long line of men (never women) trying to exchange a product or get a refund. 

Another example and my favorite.  "Honey can you run to the store and pick up some chocolate for the pie I am making?"  

Have you ever really looked at the chocolate aisle in a grocery store? And what are our options?  We have several types of powder. We have several types chips (including white chocolate). We have several sizes of chips. We have several brands of chips and cooking chocolate, (Nestle, Ghirardelli, Hershey, Baker's, Guittard, Callebaut, and Valrhona, etc.).  We have several varieties of chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Semisweet and Bittersweet Chocolate, Dutch-Process Cocoa, Milk Chocolate, and White Chocolate. See, it is confusing. 

So what do I see today when we are shopping for holiday food.  Every man is on his cell. More than likely calling his wife with a question like "I see so many types of chocolate, which one did you need?" Some men have learned (I am one) to take a pic and text it to my wife. 

The result?  Far less holiday stress. Far less miles traveled. Far less items returned.  More enjoyment during the holiday season. More time with the family (hmmm, need to mull that one).

Third, a kudo to my wife.  If it is store she frequents, she can tell me the aisle, location, and shelf for many products.  Confession, I still have to call her.  And I still take photos and text it to her. Ever looked at the spice aisle? 

I am so grateful for the cell phone.  You reduce the stress during the holiday season. Now to solve the challenges of decorating, travel, gifting, etc.