by S.C. Kleinhans

Created on: November 09, 2007   Last Updated: August 25, 2009

In the past, shoe lovers would spend many hours every single day engaged in a very pleasurable activity. They would drool all over the pages of a vast array of catalogs featuring many eclectic collections of footwear. They'd be very busy circling glossy pictures of their new favorites as they checked their horrific totals against their clothing budget. A typical shoe fanatic would soon spend twice her/his annual salary on footwear.

Currently, shoe lovers can peer at internet pages of major department store shoe sections or pricey haute couture collections. Shoe-loving maniacs have become children again, fighting over the toy section of their favorite Christmas catalogs. You can do your shoe-loving friends an enormous favor. Do some research on their behalf. Create a colorful list, including incredible pictures, with every offbeat website they could possibly hope for. Then endow them with a hefty gift certificate or gift card. Your frenzied friends can go on an inimitable shopping spree. At your expense. Don't let them go alone. Accompany them. Then you'll share in their extreme excitement. The two of you can take it slowly. Prolonging the ecstasy for an indefinite period of time or simply run amok.

Your shopping spree can take place on Rodeo Drive or from the comfort of an office, den or living room. Several cups of coffee and/or tea and the computer and one Platinum credit card will be your only tools. Of course, you'll need your imaginations intact.

In a fantasy world, the greatest gift of all for obsessive shoe lovers would be a separate mansion, specifically designed for the sole purpose of housing the shoe lover's extensive collection of unique and priceless footwear! It would also be very conveniently located near a small shopping mall, featuring one upscale boutique after another. Within the confines of these pricey places: shoes, sandals, boots, slippers and accessories catering exclusively to the human feet. Has the feeling of a fabulous fantasy, doesn't it?

Most ordinary shoe lovers would be satisfied with something a little less grand. Shoe lovers would obviously enjoy possessing a large closet or a spacious room with great visibility and easy accessibility. It would be great if the shoes could be on some kind of elevated mechanism similar to a conveyor belt. But that option is seldom within the reach of most people.

Typical shoe lovers adore potions, lotions, creams and plenty of polish. Brushes and soft cloths. They love their footwear and they want to keep them happy and beautiful for a long, long time. An old time shoeshine man would be excellent to have on hand too. But I'm slipping back into fantasies again. Since we're in my personal realm of fantasies, your special friend deserves a premium pedicure. Great shoes and sandals deserve feet that are in tip-top condition. Don't you agree?!

Shoe-loving aficionados love to be well-informed. Have them sign up for a complimentary membership at The Shoe Club. If they're too busy to do this simple task, do it for them. They'll thank you later. They'll receive online information regarding their sweet obsession and they'll stay connected to their particular corner of the world of fashion. The purpose of the site is to maintain vital connections between footwear consumers (like your beloved friend), shoe manufacturers, footwear designers and various vendors and retailers. Free information is always a very welcome gift. You must visit Shoeaholics Anonymous.com! There's excellent stuff there for every shoe lover's soul/sole.

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