Okay, let’s talk about getting the VCA Holiday Pendant for 2024. It’s become a bit of a ritual, hasn’t it? Every year, the buzz starts, and you gotta decide if you’re jumping in.
So, first thing I did, back maybe late summer, early fall, was just casually check in with my usual contact at the boutique. You know how it is, gotta maintain that relationship. Didn’t push hard, just a simple “heard anything about this year’s holiday piece?” kind of message.
They were cagey, as usual. Said details weren’t out yet, but they’d keep me in mind. Standard stuff. You learn pretty quick that getting these things isn’t just about walking in. It’s a waiting game, and depends a lot on who you know and how much you’ve bought before. Let’s be real about that.
The Waiting Part
Then you wait. Saw some whispers online, guesses about the stone, the design. Tried not to get too caught up in it. Last year was a bit of a hassle, so I told myself I’d be chill this time. Easier said than done when you actually like the pieces.
Mid-fall, I got the actual heads-up from my SA. They sent a picture, told me the material. This year, it was [mention the specific material if known from search data, otherwise keep it general like ‘a lovely porcelain’ or ‘that green stone’]. Looked nice in the picture, but you never really know until you see it.
I immediately said yes, I wanted one. Put my name down officially. They told me it would be a few weeks, they had a list, allocation was tight, blah blah blah. The usual dance.
Getting The Call
Fast forward to maybe November. Finally got the call: “Your pendant is here.” Relief! Scheduled a time to go pick it up. Always try to go during a weekday morning if possible, less chaos.
Went into the boutique. They brought out the little box. Did the whole unveiling thing. It’s always a nice moment, gotta admit. Checked the piece over – the chain, the setting, the stone itself. You pay enough, you better make sure it’s perfect.
- Looked closely at the color: Made sure it matched what I expected.
- Checked the setting: No rough edges, stone felt secure.
- Examined the chain: Standard VCA chain, but checked the clasp.
This year’s piece felt solid. The [mention material again] had a nice depth to it. Compared it mentally to the ones I have from previous years. Each one’s got its own vibe.
Final Thoughts
Paid up, got it boxed nicely with all the papers. Walked out feeling pretty good. It’s a nice little tradition, adding one each year.
Is the process a bit much? Yeah, sometimes. The hype, the feeling like you have to play the game. But end of the day, I enjoy the piece. It’s pretty, I’ll wear it, and that’s what matters to me. Just gotta go into it knowing the drill. Already wondering what they’ll do next year, but trying not to think about that headache just yet.
