I broke one of my firm-rules-to-live-life-by this morning. I went to a large shopping centre - Southland - to do some commando Christmas shopping. You know the sort; plan your attack, get in, get out, don't get distracted, return home for a cold compress and a nice cup of tea (or gin, if it's been really bad).Several years ago, I made a pledge to myself to stay far far away from overgrown shopping malls in December, as they are basically HELL. Much better to stick to strip shopping - far less crowded, more interesting things to choose from, and not as likely to bring on a headache.
But this weekend I had to return something to K-Mart, which meant that I had to brace myself and visit a mall. Thankfully, I made it easy on myself, arriving there at 9.30am (no problem finding a park), and getting out of there by 11am. I had to hang around a bit, as the shops didn't open until 10am; I was not alone though, as there were already dozens of other people milling about, waiting to hit the cash registers. Overall the expedition was bearable - but only just.
God knows what it's like right now (just after 2pm). There were plenty of people there this morning with a crazed look in their eye as they wandered apparently aimlessly from one shop to another, pushing others out of their way. Southland is the sort of place that can make a grown woman cry on a good day, let alone on a weekend a couple of weeks before Christmas. No wonder that Kath & Kim chose it as the setting for their favourite mall Fountain Lakes.Now I can return to my scheduled Christmas shopping, most of which is done, and avoid the crowds as much as possible.
3 comments:
I haven't even started yet (gulp)... What with a funeral, keeping the house nice ALL THE DAMN TIME and the usual end-of-year concerts, parties and school events that Sapphire (and therefore me, being a parent who is required to make costumes, paint sets, pack up chairs, pick up rubbish and help cook) is involved in...
....maybe vouchers and a big smile will do this year????
Actually, I think vouchers are a wonderful pressie (as are a winning smile, and chocolate of course)!
There's always online shopping, and finding that small shopping centre that has a Target and is open to midnight every night before Christmas, but no one else has discovered. No kidding - there's one near me, and it is deserted on week nights in the Christmas run up. Very handy for picking up the latest Veronicas album, a Leapster game, Crayola kits, and Jelly Bellies at 10.30pm two days before Christmas, gathered together with a only-slightly-crazed look in your eye...
I'm with you...I hate big shopping centres at the best of times and spend as little time as possible in them, but at Christmas they are my biggest nightmare. This year I've done some shopping by catalogues, and the rest by strip shopping.
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