Online shopping vs. going to shops

Good for you, OG :-) Maybe you'll turn up in mine one day :-D

Am I unique?  I LOVE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!!!!! 

Giving beautiful things to people I love is one of my favourite things in the world.  I don't spend a lot of money, and it's not stressful.

I look for potential Christmas gifts right through the year, so avoid the last-minute stress and crowds.  Then when Christmas is approaching we go to special events like craft fairs and German Christmas markets to get really unusual presents and fill any gaps.  Getting wrapped up warm, eating hot chestnuts in the street, visiting all the stalls and buying lovely things (that were often made by the person you met), is such a special part of Christmas.

And if all else fails, eBay is a Godsend.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

My regular shopping for food etc is all usually local, but I rarely use the tea rooms as I usually have my dog with me and therefore I can't pop in for a cuppa no matter how much I want to! lol  It's a pain but oh well, what can you do?

My best part of Christmas other than being with my family is the shopping with one exception!  I love the whole atmosphere, especially when I know what to buy for people!  If I don't then I have an absolute nightmare.  Some year I've been found standing lost in a department store completely dumfounded, confused, raging a massive hump because of all the jostling and not having a clue.  After one year, when I was absolutely scuppered I resorted to "The Christmas List" which I don't much like either. The whole thing about Christmas is finding that special something for a particular person that you know they will like, which they haven't asked for, have no idea what it is until they unwrap the present.  To see their faces is more than enough for me!  Honestly it is one of pleasure not fake pleasure.

I will use the internet only if I can't get something in the local shops but  as is my usual I normally leave it too late and worry with bitten nails whether or not it is going to turn up on time.

I personally hate giving money at Christmas, that to me is not what it is all about.   If I can afford it then I would rather give money outside of the season.  Unless of course it is towards something that is above my budget and it then becomes a joint present with someone else.  I would though in truth rather get the present.

I couldn't survive my shopping trips without my visits to the tearooms.  I visit at least three during the whole shopping trip - the first to get my thoughts in order and plan of action, the second to rest the feet, and the third to sit back and count with satisfaction all my bags whilst slurping tea, eating sandwiches and homemade cakes....obviously not at all three! :-)

My dad has been the most difficult one to buy for...I usually buy him whisky or beers but he's not supposed to drink alcohol any more!  Took me ages to find something for him!

I've just ordered my last load of gifts from boots online, they'll be delivered to one of the local stores for me to collect.  It's great because there isn't much of the range in the boots stores local to me so being able to go online and see the full range of what they have and order that way is fantastic!

Stress-free shopping, everything I'm wanting is there waiting for me lol

Me and hubby buy each other a week's cottage holiday somewhere in the UK, and the same for birthdays. We would be buying these holidays anyway, so it doesn't cost any extra. We know we are probably going to get a holiday as a present, but have no idea where, so on Christmas Day it is still a surprise. The only stress filled time is when we each open the envelope in case we have chosen the same week. So far we haven't, and it has worked very well.

Since we retired we made it our project to spend a whole week in each county. We have done 9 different counties up to now, with another 4 booked for 2010 up to now. We stay in self catering cottages, take the dogs, and it is a great way to see our own country, whatever the weather.

Susan H said:

Me and hubby buy each other a week's cottage holiday somewhere in the UK, and the same for birthdays. We would be buying these holidays anyway, so it doesn't cost any extra. We know we are probably going to get a holiday as a present, but have no idea where, so on Christmas Day it is still a surprise. The only stress filled time is when we each open the envelope in case we have chosen the same week. So far we haven't, and it has worked very well.

Since we retired we made it our project to spend a whole week in each county. We have done 9 different counties up to now, with another 4 booked for 2010 up to now. We stay in self catering cottages, take the dogs, and it is a great way to see our own country, whatever the weather.

That's a great idea!  Hope you get a lovely holiday for Christmas :-)

Hi all

I just had to tell you about another one of my days! (oh no I hear you groan!).  This is not made up and nowhere near as nice as my other day.

Well, my plan of action for today was “shop til you drop” until I’d got everything I needed to get.  If we are still on this forum (and I really hope we are) this time next year, when I post something along the lines of “I love Christmas Shopping” feel free to give me a virtual slap around the ears will you!

My early start turned into a late start, so not going good right from the off really.  Before I left, I went out to post Christmas cards to my neighbours on either side.  After doing the first I realise that I have posted the wrong card through the wrong letter box at one of them.  Whilst standing undecided about what to do on my other neighbour’s driveway, she comes out to say hello.  Noticing the card in my hand, “Oh is that our card, thanks”.  ”Well actually No it isn’t, your card is at No 25”.    Totally embarrassed, I turn round and rush back indoors to do another card.  As I come rushing through the door, I find Garfie running around the hall with my OH’s late mother’s prized Christmas tree bauble hanging from his mouth.  He would not give it up for love nor money.  Could I catch him...No.  Wonderful game he thought.   Words were spoken at this point I have to confess of which I can’t publish but suffice to say words rhyming with “Cooking Fat” may well have been mentioned (apologies to staff and sensitives among you). 

Having successfully retrieved the bauble off the cat and sorted the card issue, I set off in the car and journey to town.  This took an age as you can imagine, everyone and everyone also went shopping today.  To add more fat to the pot, the powers that be of the council had also decided to do roadworks and close the road, this just happens to be one of the busiest thoroughfares into the town.  Taking a detour around part of the town I had never been to before was a somewhat enlightening experience – discovered yet another Tesco Express!

Finally get parked at the station car park which was offering a Christmas special of £2.00 all day.  Bargain I thought.  I duly put my £2 in and pressed for the ticket.  A ticket came out which told me that I had just over an hour’s worth of parking! Eh?  Realised I should have pressed .....wait for it....... the button that said “Push this button for special offer”.  So ended up putting another £2 in to get the special offer which has now cost me £4 which I could have got anyway on the not so special offer!!  At this point I should have realised what I was going into and turn back!

Trudged into town and decided to go to the big dispensing chemist named after footwear.  I needed some last minute prezzies for nephews’ new girlfriends and this seemed like as good a place as any.  After taking considerable time to pick my 3 for 2 items I joined the conga queue for the tills and waited my turn.  “Till No 1 please” was mine so off I trot.  The lady at the till was a very nice lady but she had a speed (the one before neutral) and wasn’t going to go any faster if she didn’t need to.  It took her at least 5 minutes to open the bag.  I resisted the urge to grab it from her.  My 3 for 2 were going through quite nicely when the last one caused me a ripple of worry.  The box was damaged.  “Oh dear what a shame, you can’t have that one look it’s all scraped at the bottom.  Go and get another one” she says.    I could feel the collective sighs of the conga queue behind me rather than hear them.  Refusing to look back I said to the lady “Oh don’t worry I’ll leave it”.  “Oh No love you’ll miss out on the 3 for 2, go on luvvie go pick another one and I’ll wait for you”.  Off I went to get a replacement only to find there were no others of that product.  Rushing back so as not to hold up the queue, I gaily said “Don’t worry you haven’t got another one I’ll leave it” but she wouldn’t, she was very concerned, bless her heart, that I would miss out and insisted I go off again.  By this time I could feel the stirring of hateful thoughts from the people behind me.   I could also feel my face beginning to redden with the pressure I was beginning to feel.   Again refusing to look at the faces I rushed off dodging other shoppers at high speed and an agility I didn’t realise I possessed to return to the 3 for 2 aisles.   So many choices, so little time, so many angry angry people – I could feel sweat beginning to bead on my forehead.

I grabbed something which was roughly the same price as the original and returned to the till.   To find the lady had gone off to do something else! Can you feel my pain? Thinking she had gone off for her lunch break I nearly walked out when she returned with a bright smile to ask her how I had got on.   She very sweetly exclaimed what a lovely alternative I had chosen and that in fact it was probably better than the first.  So now my 3 for 2 toiletries had all gone through.  Wrapping paper and tags next, no problem....or so I thought “Ooh” she says, (whimper) “You’ve only got two tag packs”.....”You know you’ll....” “leave it, leave it, don’t worry about it, it’s 90p really don’t worry about it”.   I took a deep breath and thanked her nicely for her help and turned round and wished everyone in the queue a Merry Christmas and left the shop with my nose in the air.  Thought I was pretty cool doing that and then ruined it all as I nearly concussed a small child with my roles of wrapping paper in my rush to get out of the store!

My next place was another biggie – was I brave enough I worried.  Go for it I thought it can’t be any worse.  I knew what I was getting so this should be a doddle.  I ventured into a big department store, went straight to the items and picked out the one I wanted and then straight to the till.   Hardly a queue here, brilliant! Handed over my item and with hand raised with my debit card at the ready to insert into the machine I get.......”Oh dear, oh dear”, thinking if I carry on looking at the card machine events might change, the twitch that has suddenly started in my eye would be less noticeable, I wait with baited breath.   “This doesn’t have the right code on it”, in desperation I replied ”I believe it was £15 as the others were all priced the same”....”Well that may be but it’s not the right code, don’t you worry none I’ll just go off and find out what it is” – I stood there for over 10 minutes waiting for her return.  Meanwhile a queue has now formed and there are only 2 other tills.   The only words I kept hearing through the never-ending 10 minutes were “Sorry to keep you waiting” from the other tellers.  By this point I have completely lost the will to live, the lady returns with “I couldn’t find the code but this is the only one there is and look can you see it has a fault.  Really shouldn’t have been out on display in the first place”!!!

Dazed and completely beaten I returned home after visiting only 2 shops.  Noting the time, I sat recovering with just a coffee (sincerely wishing it was a huge glass of wine) and gazed at my purchases I realise with a sense of hysteria that that dear dear lady of the 3 for 2 saga has very kindly charged me for the first product!

Online shopping doesn’t seem such a bad thing afterall.

Oh Kezmo ... to heck with the coffee, or indeed a large glass of wine. Open a bottle and don't move until it is empty!!!

I am still crying with laughter (sorry). I hope your "cooking fat" has been forgiven, and I hope your nephews' girlfriends appreciate your efforts!

Brilliant story.