Saturday, December 18, 2010

Talk me out of this thought

It's the Saturday before Christmas, and while I've completed 90% of my knitting that I hadn't planned to do in the first place, and most of my shopping is done, I've got the idea in my head that I need to go to Target. Apparently, I'm having a moment of hope that's likely to end with me being annoyed.

I need a few items that one store, like Target, is apt to have under one roof. Things like Swiffer spray for hardwood floors, toilet bowl cleaner, tape, gift wrap, videos, books, pajamas and laundry detergent. It's one stop shopping, but will probably be a madhouse. It won't be like yesterday's foray into commerce.

My best friend and I weather the crowds each year by choosing the coldest day of the year and then shopping our way through an outdoor mall. It's a brilliant way to shop if you don't like ill mannered throngs of humans and long lines. It takes advance planning and clever attire like shearling lined boots, cashmere sweaters, down vests, mittens, hats and because your arms may be chilled, an alpaca poncho to wear like a blanket (and yes, I mixed my hand knits--so sue me). Of course, once we were in the stores for awhile, it was easy to become a little overheated and forced to pare it all back, but this was still worthwhile. All of this dressing and undressing takes a little time, but it's a small price to pay for avoiding crowds.

We love this little outdoor mall. There is no Macy's or Penney's, but the anchor stores, Nordstrom and Parisian are there along with every other smaller store one would expect to find in a mall. The other sites we see are plenty of park benches (though snow covered), an outdoor giant fireplace and dogs--lots and lots of dogs that are welcomed into all of the stores and the dog bakery down by Nordies.

What's not to love?

I wish that mall had a Target.




13 comments:

Unknown said...

Happy shopping gal. I am not getting my lazy ass out there. Excuse me but I wear purple now and I can say that. Love ya. Blessings to you and yours.
QMM

Amy said...

Can you go to Target tonight, after dinner or even later? My understanding is that it's not nearly so bad then, especially on a weekend.

Stephanie V said...

Yikes! I wouldn't even venture into my local grocery store today. But anyone who doesn't mind wrapping and unwrapping her handknit swaddlings has way more guts than I have. Good luck! Let us know when you get home...we may have to send in a rescue team.

Anonymous said...

Target sounds like a fabulous shop. I don't go shopping much, do most of it online. The last time I went to a shopping mall was in November and I had a big winter coat on because it was so cold outside. I ended up carrying it round with me!

CJ xx

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

our target has not been very busy. that's scary!

smiles, bee
xxoxoxooxoxox

Rose said...

Ooh, if I have to shop at a mall, that's the kind I enjoy. Richmond has one like that and it's really lovely. Target should be okay, good luck if you go! And later is better, just like Amy said.

NCmountainwoman said...

By the time you read this, you will be home from Target. I just knew you were going to go.

Finding Pam said...

I will have to venture out to the grocery store one last time before Christmas.

Unlike other stores, I do like target,and just pretend that I am have all the time in the world.

I am glad that I have done what shopping I needed to do for gifts and such. I can't stand the crowds of rude people.

Brenda said...

I went out today to two stores...one was going to be Target, but I went to TJ Maxx instead. None of them were crowded. Hope you lucked out as well. Probably this week will be crowded though. I don't like malls even when it isn't a big shopping day. So the outside shopping sounds like something I would like. Cheers!

Ruth said...

My Christmas Shoping on Friday night with daughter in law and grand baby was to venture into the city which does have a Target. The street all decorated with lights and Christmas decorations and the choir singing carols. We ate dinner outside in my favourite city cafe that is perfect for people watching - in our shorts and t shirts. I enjoy the city ( Perth) at night during Christmas - the lights the crowds the weather (hot). Had a lovely evening and even managed to make a hole in the Christmas Shopping list.

SkippyMom said...

I dragged Pooldad out of bed at 5 am this morning to go shopping [who knew stuff opened so early!]

It was amazing! The mall was empty. Great parking spaces, polite, no harried clerks. Wonderful.

I love the new look of your blog - very pretty. Hope all has been well with you this past month. I missed the heck out of you. I will try and catch up soon on everything that is going on.

Target is pretty good about having EVERY register open when it is busy, so they are so hard to handle.

Hugs and love Rudee. Nice to see you.

Catherine said...

I'm feeling smug but will prob. get my comeuppance when I realise I've forgotten something crucial! Thanks to Amazon the pain of shopping's been diminished and to offset my guilt at not getting everything locally by knowing I only got what couldn't be got locally - fancy design books for graphicy son, sportwear not easily got here, etc. So the rest could be got in a 20 mile radius. Stick to local shops for the essentials if possible your head'll be wrecked otherwise!
Happy Christmas and new year!
Catherine xxxx

Unknown said...

I went to Target yesterday and it wasn't that bad. Wal-mart today was like night of the living stupid zombies.

No holiday shopping, I just needed regular stuff. :-(