"Hi, my name's Emily." "Hi, Emily." "And I'm ... a Michaels Stores-aholic."
Thankfully, I don't have a Michaels anywhere near me. I'd have to drive about an hour in each direction to get to one, so that keeps my spending at the store in check. But I would be lying to you if I said I didn't spend some nights drooling over their website wishing I could walk through the store (or putting about 18 items in my shopping cart and then slowly talking myself out of the purchase). You don't even have to be an avid crafter like me to show your utmost enthusiasm for just walking through this store. But if you are, you'll understand where I'm coming from.
Here are just a few of the reasons Michaels is probably the most dangerous store to go in:
1. Michaels has deals and sales out the wazoo.
If you're on their email list, you will get daily emails about their deals. Free shipping, BOGOs, 50% off an entire section of the store. These daily reminders of sales also remind you to look at the items you probably don't need.
2. Their marketing is on point.
Michaels stores are jam-packed with inventory. You almost can't look anywhere without thinking Oh, I need that or I could definitely make something with that. Their marketing is also done through their multiple social media profiles.
3. They appeal to everyone's secret obsession.
Like organization? Washi tape? Ribbon? They have it and they'll draw you in with their impeccably-designed displays.
4. They use social media like a boss.
Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, you name it! I often see Michaels retweeting people's crafts to show what you can make or to celebrate the crafter. It's the coolest thing to see a store that dedicated to seeing their customers use their products.
5. The store just feels like magic.
6. They have amazing adult coloring books.
This trend has really blown up and Michaels has the coolest coloring books you can find. Plus, they have the most amazing utensils for when you start coloring.
7. The business seems to be run by kind people.
My mom (upon my request) submitted a form online asking if they would consider putting a Michaels Store in our town because we have such a strong need. They got back to us right away, which is something that not a lot of stores do.
8. They offer classes.
9. They do birthday parties.
It would've been my DREAM to have Michaels birthday party. The only drawback I'm seeing? They stop offering parties after age 14. I have needs, Michaels.
10. They have kids' crafts.
Why not start the younger generation out early? Get them crafting. They'll grow up to be great people.
11. Michaels sits in a different time continuum.
Thought that was just a picture of some random letters. Look again because it is really a message perfectly describing how time is warped when in a Michaels store. "I'm just going to go in for 20 minutes." It may feel like 20 minutes, but you were in there for three hours and missed your job interview. Might as well pick up a job application while you're there.
12. The gift cards they have are the cutest things on this planet.
Gift cards are great no matter what they look like, no discrimination. But if you add some sparkle to a gift card, I am that much more likely to buy one for someone or use it more frequently (who am I kidding, I probably spent it in less than ten minutes).
13. They have a Pinterest full of boards just of project ideas.
Did you spend $50 at Michaels and now you don't know what to use them for? Channel that mindless spending into something beautiful!
14. Money is no object when you enter a Michaels Store.
There is no such thing as bankruptcy when you're looking at yarn. There's no such thing as paying off student loans when you're in the bead aisle. There's no such thing as saving for retirement when you're perusing the Washi tape. All of your money belongs to Michaels.
15. Their website is the most organized thing I've ever seen.
I feel safe when going through Michaels's website. The only thing I ask for in shop categories is an "I'm On A Crafting Bender" section. I don't know what I need, I just know I need to spend some money on something I don't have to have.
16. CAMP CREATIVITY
Michaels now has a camp for kids where they can go for a couple hours a week and just craft. Now that's a camp I would have loved attending.
17. Discounts
This is probably one of the coolest things that Michaels has. They have discounts for teachers, military officers and seniors. Right on, Michaels.
18. Baking, Cake Decorating?
If you're already a Michaels fan, you know how I feel. If you're not, I highly advise you don't check out Michaels. Don't do it, I'm warning you. The only question I have at this point: Michaels, why don't you have an apostrophe anywhere in your name?
