Friday, December 21, 2018

Holiday Shopping: Some Observations

Holiday shopping is in high gear. The where and how of holiday shopping plagues many of us. Nothing can quite compare with this yearly ritual which theoretically begins on the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday. However, in actuality it begins much earlier--of late right after Halloween. In fact, the way things are going, pretty soon the stores will start putting up tinsel on the 4th of July.


The frenetic pace of mall madness increases unabated throughout December. The shopping itself takes on such dimensions that with many people the material supersedes the spiritual aspect of the holidays.

But before the shopping can even begin, there is the business of finding parking at The Mall. Holiday shoppers know when they are nearing this location because traffic becomes as thick as an ant colony, and jockeying for position starts in earnest. Inevitably, a type "A" personality loses patience and aggressively pulls out on the shoulder of the road, speeds ahead, then forces his/her way into the regular stream of traffic. This individual manages to gain perhaps four or five car lengths to ultimately beat the traffic light, forcing other drivers to slam on their brakes and come to an abrupt halt. A cacophony of horns proceeds to announce the general agitation.

Arriving at the mall, one is treated to a breathtaking sight—an unending sea of automobiles. There is quite literally not a parking spot to spare. And so begins the art of cruising for a space. This can be compared to the choreography of a ballet. Automobiles pirouette and arabesque around the lot.

Inevitably, there is a car waiting in each aisle for someone to pull out. Often there are two vehicles set to swoop down like vultures. The poor driver who must pull out of the spot has a serious dilemma: which way to go? One or the other of the waiting drivers must be disappointed, only to drive off angrily, perhaps offering the middle finger salute. Definitely not showing proper holiday spirit! (More like the gunfight at Okay Corral)
Drivers keep cruising, ready to dive like kamikaze pilots when they find a likely target--barely avoiding fender benders--a holiday miracle in itself. No matter how many spaces exist, there are never enough.

Another technique involves following those who are leaving. Sometimes these shoppers are merely putting away their packages and return to the Mall for further exploration. Then there is the individual, fully aware someone is waiting for his/her parking spot, who decides this is a good time to sit and light up a cigarette, fiddle with the car radio, or begin a philosophical discussion on the meaning of life with someone they've conjured on a cell phone.

Most amazing of all are those who decide to grab the closest parking spot. I'm talking here about nabbing the spaces set aside for the handicapped. These artists fall into several categories. First are those who have no physical impediment whatsoever but park illegally because they don't want to continue cruising. We have no trouble spotting them as they run out when the police start ticketing. The second category: those who somehow obtained handicapped stickers yet can move like gazelles, either had some impediment but are over it and kept their stickers, or obtained them illegally in the first place. There seem to be a growing number of these talented artists who we may refer to as prima donnas.

With so many people claiming the right to place handicapped stickers in their automobiles, I am waiting for the time when non-handicapped signs will be issued instead.

After managing to obtain a parking spot and reaching the Promised Land of the Mall, we are greeted by a chorus of Hallelujah from the sound system. Unfortunately, by this time, we are almost too weary to shop.


When Hannukah and Christmas come and all the gifts are finally handed out, matters are not in the least resolved, as a good portion of those gifts will end up being returned soon after. (The heaviest shopping day of the entire year is December 26th) So just when we think our holiday shopping is finally done, it's only just begun!

Then there's the matter of re-gifting. That's the most bizarre ritual of all. This refers to presents that don't come with any clue as to where they were purchased. Even Sherlock Holmes would scratch his head in perplexity.

These are gifts that no one in their right mind would want to keep: purple plaid socks, perfume that would make a skunk turn up its tail in disgust. Well, you get the picture! So what does one do with such odious presents? Naturally, we save them and give them to those who have given us their re-gifts. You know you've gone full cycle when one of your re-gifts is gifted back to you.

So how do we avoid mall madness? More people than ever are turning to online shopping. A good friend told me the other day that she has neither the time nor the health to shop other than via the internet. So what are good gifts that won’t put you in hock for the rest of the year and can be purchased conveniently?

I would like to suggest that books are excellent gifts to give. You don’t have to run around. You can make your selections in comfort. And you don’t have to spend your life savings. There’s a perfect book for everyone, whether a bestseller or something from an unknown author. There are a multitude of useful nonfiction titles: perhaps a cookbook, a book on home repairs, or history. Fiction provides many choices such as romance, mystery, or adventure. Children’s books are more appealing than ever.

Naturally I’m going to recommend some of my recent books. If you find climate change disturbing, you might want to read the faction novella THE BURNING:

If you’re into mysteries, have a go at my latest thriller
DEATH PROMISE:

For teens, try my newest release WITCH WISH:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DRB3VVH
 
Finally, my holiday gift to you is a humorous mystery story published online for free by Sunlit Stories, to listen to and/or read:

What are your feelings regarding holiday shopping? Do you shop online or prefer to shop in person?  Do you give books as gifts? Do you consider books good gifts? What books would you like to recommend, either your own or those of others? Thoughts and comments most welcome!



18 comments:

  1. I've always hated shopping, so online shopping is great for me. Also, since all my kin and friends live in other states, I can just have stuff delivered to them, and I have a great excuse for doing it! That's how I shop. Shopping didn't used to be so easy :-) And books are a FABULOUS gift! Any books (any good books, I mean).

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  2. Hi Alice,

    So glad you dropped by and commented as well! Happy holidays to you and your entire family.

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  3. I am NOT a shopper at all and try to get everything in 1 or 2 trips (max) what I don't purchase online that is. Another is to let my daughter buy for my grandkids - she knows what they want/need and IS a shopper LOL!

    Great post Jacquie.

    I wish YOU and Yours a Blessed and Merry Christmas and most prosperous New Year!
    PamT

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  4. Wishing you all good things in the coming year as well, Pam! We do the same for our grandkids--give monetary gifts to the children so they can buy what's right.

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  5. I do most of my shopping online and have for years. Reading your article makes me remember why, especially those Type A people, of which I'm one, but I don't care about parking. I always park on the outskirts and walk. It's better than driving around in circles forever. And love the people who have that philosophical conversation while you're waiting for their space. Also, a good idea about giving books! Happy Holidays!

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    1. Paul,

      Happy holidays to you as well. And I truly enjoy reading your blogs.

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  6. Having worked in retail for many, many years, I never shop on Black Friday - don't even leave the house - and I avoid the mall at all costs the closer it gets to Christmas. While I prefer to shop locally whenever possible, I do order online, usually when I can't find an item in the stores. And books? Oh, yes. By all means books make wonderful Christmas gifts for readers on my - or your - shopping list. Merry Christmas, Jacquie!

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  7. Pat,

    Happy holidays to you as well. I agree with you about mall shopping. Glad you enjoyed my article.

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  8. As I read through your story about parking I was expecting the perfect act of revenge, but alas no. Perhaps another time. I too prefer online shopping, but if I have to go into a story I stick with local places that have handmade or artisanal goods. I find malls overwhelming and disappointing, so I avoid them. But you truly captured the spirit of holiday shopping. No one seems to like it, so why do so many people still do it?

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    1. Hi Susan,

      I agree that shopping at smaller stores is a good alternative.

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  9. I love your description of holiday shopping--the arabesques and pirhouettes still have me chuckling. I agree about books being the best gifts, and not because I've written some--I also love to receive them. They provide hours of entertainment, learning, travel, and wisdom, and they can also be shared. Wishing you the happiest holiday season and a new year that is full of sweetness.

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    1. Hi Saralyn,

      I'm glad you enjoyed my blog. I do enjoy giving and receiving books as gifts.

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  10. I'm an online shopper and my goal is to have everything ordered before December 1. There are a few small, non-chain stores I'll visit because I like to support small business owners and they often have unique merchandise.

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    1. I agree with you in that it's important for us to support small local businesses. It makes a difference.

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  11. Good post, Jacqueline! I've started giving gifts of short story anthologies to friends. I can always find a themed one that fits different interests. Y'all have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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    1. Happy holidays, Bobbi! I'm very fond of short story anthologies because you get the benefit of many talented writers in brief. So those are good choices.

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  12. "Holiday shoppers know when they are nearing this location because traffic becomes as thick as an ant colony, and jockeying for position starts in earnest. Inevitably, a type "A" personality loses patience..." How true. I ordered online this year for the first time. The gift I ordered early will get here when it gets here. The one I thought I'd ordered but hadn't because I got confused comparing brands and so ordered Friday will arrive tomorrow (guaranteed). The third is here, thank goodness. The renewed subscription is okay but doesn't seem very gifty. So we're postponing Christmas until everything gets here. I ordered cat gifts yesterday but they don't care when they get them. Next year I may opt for the mall. (I can't enter a book store because I become the chief recipient. But after Christmas, I can buy books, so thank you for the recommendations.)























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    1. M. K.,

      Thanks for dropping by and commenting. Hope your gifts arrive soon!

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