Chicken Memorials

[Alis girls]

Decided I couldnt face Brent X during the day so OH and I went this evening - wasnt too bad. Parked easily. I know some of you work in retail or have older kids working in shops etc but went into Hennes which had a sale on and was shocked at the mess. I wanted to buy some stuff not in the sale - there was kids chucking stuff on the floor - i felt sorry for the teenagers working in there - no wonder shop assistants get grumpy with all that to clear up. God help them. Frankly I am afraid I've used Amazon way too much this Chrimbo, I do feel guilty as it means the high street doesnt get my custom but the stress and the fact a lot of these shops are just clothes or over expensive jewellery or cosmetics doesnt help the woman in the street on a budget. I miss HMV - several members of family want box sets of DVDs - again got from Amazon - ok if weather stays good. I remember the last few yrs with snow and everyone lamenting re there stuff not arriving. Oh and nearly knocked a womans head off in WHS with a huge roll of wrapping paper Happy shopping everyone.

[Charlottechicken]

I sympathise.

 

I had this week off work and went into Birmingham on Wednesday. I hated it and spent just £1.19 (obviously not including bus fare!). I just don't appear to have the patience or stamina for proper shopping these days, and am glad I bought most presents off ebay this year.

[Cheeky Chooky]

I just don't appear to have the patience or stamina for proper shopping these days

Same here...I just can't do it anymore We went to Bath yesterday (my work organise a coach trip) and we go every year...such a beautiful place but that was our last time as the crowds were hard going and we were shattered by the time we got home Didn't get any pressies either!

[snowberry]

The children & I have agreed to no pressies this year, they'll have money to spend in the sales instead. Though I'm sure to crack & get them stocking stuff!

The thing is, can we be blamed for shopping on the internet, epecially when things are so much cheaper there? Lots of shops display cheaper internet prices to their stores. When I do shop on the High Street, I do favour smaller independent shops though.

[Alis girls]

Glad its not just me, I feel for those like at Comet and other stores which are closing down with job losses - the internet has killed the high street. I think its a sign of getting old with me cant hack it. I make a point of not getting grumpy with the assistants - it could be my son in there. One of his mates (male) of 17 has been put in lingerie in Top shop. How many 17 yr old boys know much about lingerie. Cue for all the 17 yr old males on forum to write in

[Mrs Webmuppet]

I ventured into Ipswich last Saturday morning..............I only went to Wilkos, Poundland, QD's, BHS and my local wool shop, I stayed well away from the more mainstream chain stores. I began to think I was invisible, I nearly got knocked flying several times (Ok so I am a diddy 5ft2 but even so ).

 

Hurrah for the internet. It's the postie I feel sorry for

[Purplemaniacs]

OH and I decided to visit Stamford Christmas Festival, what a mistake, no where to park. In the end we parked on the edge of town and walked in.

 

Too many people, Like Mrs W I think I was invisible I am only just 5 foot on a good day but I was holding OH's hand and he is over 6 foot

 

I don't think we will bother next year.

 

Chrissie

[Lavenders_Blue]

Was any good, Chrissie? Did they have the continental market there? I usually enjoy a mooch round the markets but from what you've said maybe it's as well I didn't go!

[Purplemaniacs]

It was ok L_B, as we left OH said that he felt it was missing sonething, there were some continental food stalls but I was rather disappointed.

 

It did not feel very seasonal, OH thought it was more of a farmers market.

 

Chrissie

[Lavenders_Blue]

Much ado about nothing by the sounds of it - how disappointing.

[patsylabrador]

I was sitting in bed with a cup of coffee at 7am today doing my Christmas shopping. Bliss.

[Charlottechicken]

[chuckmum6]

My poor old postie must be sick of box with the smile on it, 95% of my Christmas stuff comes from the Internet, it takes moments and is sooooo much easier. I now rarely venture out to 'shops' whatever they are??? Although I do miss it occasionally.

[soapdragon]

I too avoid shops near Christmas - too busy, too hot and too expensive! I try and buy stuff over the spring/summer at craft fairs, fetes (theres usually someone with a stall of lovely home/hand made stuff) and generally here and there! E bay is brilliant - this year I did quite a lot this way and, as I sell stuff we no longer need, the contents of the Paypal account covered virtually all of it !

 

TK Maxx was very helpful too, with parking right outside. Managed to get all the 'hard to buy for' men's things there (gadgety bits!) I aim to have everything wrapped and bagged by beg Dec as BIL sometimes calls in on his way to and from Dorset with stuff for us and sometimes FIL makes it too so I can't be caught out!

 

Cards and wrap come from the Oxfam or Cancer UK shops in January so all I have to do with those is remember where I put them - making sure, of course, that FC wraps his gifts for the children in a completely different paper (the little doodahs are SOOOO observant !!)

 

I also try and remember to wrap a couple of 'out of the blue' presents (usually chocs -like the Guylian shells) in case I have forgotten someone or get an unexpected pressie from thoughtful but unboughtfor person!!! I was a PA for 11 years prior to having the boys so love the organising but must admit that doing it all so early does take a bit of the fun out of it !

[The Dogmother]

That takes me back; I used to work in Brent Cross when I was a student! Hate shopping at the best of times... really hate it at Christmas, and don't approve of all the commercialism and money spent either.

[Valkyrie]

Same here - bah humbug, and I really can't get it together this year either. Can't drive for a while either so no shopping centres for me this year. Had a chat with OH's cousin earlier - she has tried so hard to find a boxed set of a series that her hubby used to like - it's something like £23 on the internet but HMV only had the individual series at a cost of £26 each, no boxed sets. The guy in the shop suggested she buy on the internet - which was what she was trying to avoid. Same with a lot of other things she wanted, can't get in the shops so back to the internet.

I suppose it's been a tad easier for me, OH already sorted DD's out. DH wants a suit so I think he will have to go and find them and try them on and we'll give him the money for them. I've seen some lovely ties from Moss Bross online - especially as they are doing a 3 for 2 offer. One will be for DD and the other 2 for the boy. Trouble is when purchasing it for the "shopping basket" it says error so I can't even do the darned thing online. I have sorted out the bokashi which was easy peasy. And not a pressie either! It is the little things I miss though, the supermarket sweep of little goodies and sweety treaties for stocking pressies - seen those lovely big sweeties for Lindt choccies that the kiddiwinkies would love - and friends too. Already did buy another friend stuff from a quilting show but I won't be able to see her for a while either.

As for Christmas cards - I have them but can't get in the mood to write them. Probably goes with OH not bothering to get the decs down from the loft including the tree. It just doesn't feel like Christmas at all.