Christmas shopping madness [Archive]

who45

11-28-2003, 02:54 PM

Just got back from going to the local mall to do Christmas shopping. Yes, every year me, my mother, my grandmother and my aunt brave the mad rush. It never ceases to amaze me at how people can be so rude. I did meet a fellow Scaper. I was in a book store and my phone rang, which rings to the 1812 overture...anyway this guy was standing beside me, he leaned over and asked "Farscape fan?" I told him yes and he asked me had I heard about the miniseries. He said that his wife and his family and friends think he is nuts to like Farscape and they just don't understand it. I told him about FMD, so if Jim is lurking....:hi:

I did have fun and it did kind of put me in the Christmas spirit, but boy am I glad to be back home sitting down after 6 hours of shopping.:( If any of you are out there in the madness...good luck and God speed.:lol Now I think I need a drink. :D

Johnsgirl727

11-28-2003, 02:57 PM

Six hours of holiday shopping!? Girl, you need a hug!:hug: And you told a fellow Scaper about FMD? Awesome.:)

As for me, I did absolutely nothing productive today! It's been great!:rollin: I'm braving the crowds tomorrow.......:fear:

generic_screenname

11-28-2003, 03:00 PM

I'm doing my shopping online. Screw you outdoors!

who45

11-28-2003, 03:00 PM

Originally posted by Johnsgirl727
Six hours of holiday shopping!? Girl, you need a hug!:hug: And you told a fellow Scaper about FMD? Awesome.:)

As for me, I did absolutely nothing productive today! It's been great!:rollin: I'm braving the crowds tomorrow.......:fear:

I will be thinking about you...will even say a prayer or two.:lol I did find some great sales so that was worth it as well.

who45

11-28-2003, 03:01 PM

Originally posted by generic_screenname
I'm doing my shopping online. Screw you outdoors!

I did do some online, but somethings I couldn't.

Johnsgirl727

11-28-2003, 03:03 PM

Originally posted by who45
I will be thinking about you...will even say a prayer or two.:lol I did find some great sales so that was worth it as well.
Thanks, I'll need it. It's times like this that I always remember: Ibuprofin is my friend.......:aok:

vikingscaper

11-28-2003, 03:04 PM

Unfortunately, I had to deal with all the rush today as I work at a large retailer but luckily I got to work outside part of the day getting TVs out for customers and I missed the really busy part of the day. I then spent the rest of the day carrying out TVs and computers for customers. The only real bad thing about today was that I had to be to work at 6 am.

JadedLegend3

11-28-2003, 03:29 PM

Originally posted by vikingscaper
Unfortunately, I had to deal with all the rush today as I work at a large retailer but luckily I got to work outside part of the day getting TVs out for customers and I missed the really busy part of the day. I then spent the rest of the day carrying out TVs and computers for customers. The only real bad thing about today was that I had to be to work at 6 am.

I work at a mall, too. The only good thing about being sick is that I was sent home today before I even started working! So I didn't have to deal with all the holiday shoppers.

Jacqui :love:

who45

11-28-2003, 05:06 PM

Originally posted by JadedLegend3
I work at a mall, too. The only good thing about being sick is that I was sent home today before I even started working! So I didn't have to deal with all the holiday shoppers.

Jacqui :love:

Hope you're feeling better.:)

BlackThorn

11-28-2003, 05:09 PM

Ugh, holiday shopping. No thanks. I'll get mine done either online or at 24 hour stores at 4AM. Only way to go, if you ask me.

grinner

11-28-2003, 06:09 PM

Or... you can do like I do and say that since I don't have a wife/girlfriend... I forgot to shop. It was great when my brothers were all single... but since 2 of them are married now... it really sucks... women. They send cards and gifts... and make us single brothers... embarrassed.

That said... I usually buy gifts for the children of my friends and family... but nothing to anyone else.
I don't know why... but I have never gotten into the whole gift giving thing about Christmas. Maybe because my parents didn't put any emphasis on it... just like birthdays... there was a cake... but that is it.

Johnsgirl727

11-28-2003, 06:12 PM

Originally posted by grinner
Or... you can do like I do and say that since I don't have a wife/girlfriend... I forgot to shop. It was great when my brothers were all single... but since 2 of them are married now... it really sucks... women. They send cards and gifts... and make us single brothers... embarrassed.

That said... I usually buy gifts for the children of my friends and family... but nothing to anyone else.
I don't know why... but I have never gotten into the whole gift giving thing about Christmas. Maybe because my parents didn't put any emphasis on it... just like birthdays... there was a cake... but that is it.
What about when you were engaged?

grinner

11-28-2003, 06:15 PM

well... that was the exception... and I just went out and bought jewelry or something cheesy.

I really got embaressed when she got me a bunch of stuff... I really didn't know what to do... I felt like I didn't deserve it...

Johnsgirl727

11-28-2003, 06:16 PM

Originally posted by grinner
well... that was the exception... and I just went out and bought jewelry or something cheesy.

I really got embaressed when she got me a bunch of stuff... I really didn't know what to do... I felt like I didn't deserve it...
You're just not into gifts very much?

grinner

11-28-2003, 06:20 PM

I don't know if it is that... I would rather get a gift that I wasn't expecting... unlike at Christmas or Birthdays that everyone thinks gifts are OWED them. There is too much comercialism with regards to both Christmas and Birthdays... and Sweetest Day, Valentines Day(don't get me started on this one... it is my frelling birthday... and I have to get something expensive for someone else... whatever)

Johnsgirl727

11-28-2003, 06:48 PM

Originally posted by grinner
I don't know if it is that... I would rather get a gift that I wasn't expecting... unlike at Christmas or Birthdays that everyone thinks gifts are OWED them. There is too much comercialism with regards to both Christmas and Birthdays... and Sweetest Day, Valentines Day(don't get me started on this one... it is my frelling birthday... and I have to get something expensive for someone else... whatever)
I completely agree with you about the commercialism in regards to Christmas. It's gotten out of hand. I despise Valentines Day. It has nothing to do about celebrating love. I felt this way even when I was with someone. It's a corny, superficial, expensive day.

Special note: My feelings about Valentine's Day in no way reflects my feelings about how awesomely cool and fun I think grinner is!:D

grinner

11-28-2003, 06:52 PM

jayelsee

11-28-2003, 06:53 PM

Now I think I need a drink. I just had mine.....an apple martini....or two.....and a half......

Although I had absolutely planned NOT to go shopping today, I did, and I actually had a great time. I bought nothing. I live on the coast, and it was unseasonably warm today --- 74 degrees, beautiful day. My daughter & I took a picnic lunch to the beach, and then went "window shopping". We went to some surf shops and she showed me some things for gift ideas.

Then we went to a local department store and selected an "Angel Tree" card (in my community, we have a holiday program where you can be a "secret Santa" for children--and now also for "seniors"--who may not be getting gifts). I decided I wanted to shop for a senior in memory of my grandparents, and my daughter spotted an 83 year-old woman whose wish list included "VHS TAPES - TYPE: SCI FI! My daughter said, "Look, Mom, let's take this one....you can get her Farscape tapes". So now I need to go on-line and order some eps from season 1. I may get her the "best of" but I'll have to make her a tape of "Mind the Baby", too, so she won't be left with the cliff-hanger.

Scaping librairies, the military, and now.....nursing homes...

Third EYe

11-28-2003, 07:34 PM

I don't shop at xmas. If I am to purchase gifts, I will have done so by now. If not, then it don't happen.

Johnsgirl727

11-28-2003, 07:38 PM

Originally posted by Third EYe
I don't shop at xmas. If I am to purchase gifts, I will have done so by now. If not, then it don't happen.
How do you decide if you will or not? Do you shop for Christmas gifts throughout the year?

vikingscaper

11-28-2003, 07:40 PM

Since I live in the boondocks, I usually do my gift shopping via the internet or if I am on vacation, I will do my shopping then.

BrowderChick

11-28-2003, 08:02 PM

Originally posted by grinner
I don't know if it is that... I would rather get a gift that I wasn't expecting... unlike at Christmas or Birthdays that everyone thinks gifts are OWED them. There is too much comercialism with regards to both Christmas and Birthdays... and Sweetest Day, Valentines Day(don't get me started on this one... it is my frelling birthday... and I have to get something expensive for someone else... whatever)

Your birthday is Valentines Day? Oh I feel sorry for you. But as you said before about giving to the kids. I have 17 neices and 5 nephews. Its just the kids and mom and dad that get the goods. Sorry, I am not made of cash. But my shopping is DONE! I just buy for the younger kids and the older ones get GC's or cash. But i did go out today to the craft store for a few items because I put my tree up today.

farscape1211

11-28-2003, 08:20 PM

I worked 3-11 PM last night came home at 12:30 AM went throught the flyers and made my list. Didn't go to sleep because I was afraid I would not wake up for the alarm. At 5AM I fell in the parking lot and banged up my knee but did not want to go home and loose my place in line. Stood in line for over 1 hr before the first store on my list even opened then went in bought what was on my list ( and not too many extras) and went to the next store. Got everything on my list except 1 thing ( no big deal they sold out before I got there) Came home wrapped gifts and opened my gift to myself a new digital camera and started playing with it. My shopping and wrapping are 90% done, and now I can relax for a while and try to get in the holiday spirit and get SOME SLEEP.

LOL

1211

who45

11-28-2003, 08:33 PM

Originally posted by grinner
I don't know if it is that... I would rather get a gift that I wasn't expecting... unlike at Christmas or Birthdays that everyone thinks gifts are OWED them. There is too much comercialism with regards to both Christmas and Birthdays... and Sweetest Day, Valentines Day(don't get me started on this one... it is my frelling birthday... and I have to get something expensive for someone else... whatever)

I also agree with you that there is too much comercialism during Christmas. I don't go all out and spend way beyond my budget, but I do like to get my family a little something. I like to get them a gift that means something. I like to buy for others and would be more than ok if I didn't get anything at all. I know some would say that is a crock, but it's true. Sure it's nice to get a gift and I'm very appreciative, but I enjoy giving than getting. As for Valentine's Day, I've always hated it, it's just a very depressing day for me.

vikingscaper

11-28-2003, 08:48 PM

The only time that I ever waited for something at a store before it opened was when the Playstation 2 launched. I can't remember what time I got in line but it was well before the store opened. Unfortunately, I did not end up with a PS2 and was let down because I was only 2 people away from getting one. From that experience, I have learned that I will never wait in line early in the morning just to buy something. Instead, I will stay in my warm bed while others are out there freezing in the cold and hopefully at this time next year, I won't be working at a retailer.

littulkittons

11-28-2003, 09:09 PM

Grinner,

I know what you mean about a birthday on Valentine's Day. Mine isn't any better. December 29 gets lost in the Christmas haze. And I have a brother who was born on December 31. We always felt cheated growing up.

I went to work today and avoided the rabid crush. It was a very quiet day.