Shopping online, especially at this time of the year makes sense . . . or does it? Isn’t shopping at the malls part of what the holidays are all about? Finding a parking space, bucking the crowds and dragging those shopping bags creates fun experiences and great stories. And oh those last minute deals that add excitement to the mundane task of gift buying. Who doesn’t get a kick out of seeing Santa Clause sitting in his big chair with wide-eyed kids sitting on his lap being surrounded by his helpers. Looking at all the lights and decorations and stopping for a cup of hot chocolate brings back memories of the days when shopping was a fun event.
But I’m torn! Do I just sit in front of my computer and google what the popular gift items are for this year? Do I get the gifts delivered directly from the store without actually wrapping them myself? Or, do I order gift cards and email them. Should I make the holidays easier and less stressful?
E-shopping for the holidays, in my opinion, lacks the holiday spirit. It is worse than sending fruit cakes. It took me a while to get use to Christmas lights on cactus and warm weather in December, but not touching and feeling things before I buy is a hard one. I just don’t think, in my opinion, Christmas is Christmas without really shopping for that special gift at the brick and mortar stores.
Newsflash: If we don’t start patronizing more brick and mortar stores, there won’t be any left. That means no more malls, no spectacular Holiday Decorations, no more easy returns and no more personal service. We have seen 9,000 stores close in 2019 with more expecting to shut down in the next few months. Brick and mortar stores will be in that same column with dial phones and record players.
