Have you ever had one of those terrible moments when you realized you had totally forgotten to get a gift for event and it was that night and you had a sick child and can’t get to the store? Me too. Recently. And I’m still embarrassed. But I have a great idea.
OK, now for the rest of the story. Dave and I have been friends with Jane and her husband since high school. We have been married a few years longer and already have little ones but they got a little later start and just had their first baby this week. Obviously, everyone is very excited for them and her sister-in-law gave Jane a baby shower a few weeks ago, on the same night that my youngest came down with a nasty bug. That’s why I showed up at the shower late, with one of the lamest gifts of all time: a package of yellow onesies from the local megamart. Of course, I added a handwritten note that I could hardly wait to give the newborn her “real gift” soon.
A Jogging Stroller: The Ultimate “Real Gift”
After racking my brain, I decided to purchase a jogging stroller for little Lizzie. For one thing, Jane and I used to run track together in school. For another, unlike me, Jane still jogs, often along these great walking paths at the local beach. Since we are very blessed to live in an area with plenty of stroller friendly running paths, it would be a shame for Jane not to be able to use them.
What I’m Looking For
When shopping for a jogging stroller, there are a number of factors in the front of your mind.
- Durability – A jogging stroller has to be durable. Because you take them on such rough terrain, they have to hold up even better than a regular stroller.
- Collapsible – This is especially important for Jane because she hasn’t yet made the upgrade from sedan to minivan.
- Affordable – I would not normally buy a jogging stroller for a friend but, as I said earlier, Jane and I go way back. Still, I’d like to get a good deal.
- Beauty – Hey, if you’re going to be running behind something for hours each week, you want it to be pretty.
- Utility – I don’t care what previous generations did without, I want any stroller I use to have all the bells and whistles: cup holders, mobiles, etc.
- Weatherproofing – Jane is pretty hard core when it comes to her running and I know she’ll appreciate having a stroller with a snap on cover, just in case she wants to run in cool weather.
What I’ve Found
Like most people, I started my search by checking out the store in my area. However, as soon as I started looking at Joovy Caboose reviews and Bumbleride stroller reviews online, I realized that cyberspace had a much wider selection. So, even though I will have to pay a little more for the shipping, I’m still pretty sure I’ll go that route. Frankly, after my debacle with my sick child, I’m relieved to be able to have the stroller shipped directly to Jane’s door.
About the Author
Melissa Cameron understands what it is like to need balance in a busy day with a spouse, children and elderly parents. When she does have a bit of spare time, she enjoys scrap-booking and writing and has realized her dream of becoming a freelance writer allowing her to work at home. Melissa loves surfing the internet, looking for deals and learning new things. In fact, her husband fondly calls her the walking infomercial!
