Question Of The Day, Friday, Dec 22

[Winchester]

Good morning! And Happy Friday before Christmas!

Our question this morning: Did you do much in the way of holiday shopping? How did you shop, online or at brick-and-mortar stores?

Like other years, I've done most of my shopping online. Our DIL wanted kitchen items and they were easier to get online. I shopped online for our grands, but also did some store shopping, too. Items for our son were primarily online, supplemented with store purchases. Everything I had ordered has come in, so it's just a matter of Rick wrapping the items. We're having Christmas with the grands next Thursday, so we're good for a few extra days.

What about you? Are you a online or store shopper for the holidays? Or both?

 

[LTS3]

I bought all but two of this year's presents in actual stores. I like to do both online shopping and in store shopping.

 

[jcat]

There are few decent stores in the vicinity, so I did most of my shopping online.

 

[Kieka]

I've done almost exclusively online shopping for the last few years. If I buy something in a physical store its usually something I saw and thought of someone OR it was sold out online and I went to a few places hoping to find it. But I do most of my non-food related shopping online most of the year. Even just getting stuff like shampoo is easier online because I don't end up buying a ton of stuff I don't need. I live in the middle of a lot of distribution centers so shipping rarely takes more then 4 days and 2 day shipping usually ends up being next day shipping.

 

[neely]

I guess I'm the odd man out or in my case, odd woman out, i.e. I have drastically cut back on my holiday shopping but do it at brick-and-mortar stores. Call me old fashioned but I like to be able to see what I'm buying in person. Plus after braving the stores I reward myself with a stop for an Espresso or Americano.

 

[di and bob]

This is the first year I shopped almost exclusively online. When I found out I could get the same price online as in the store on Black Friday, I was impressed, NO standing in lines an fighting the crowds! We wanted an X Box 1X and it was not on sale yet anywhere, and I checked all over, it's too new. So I ordered it at Target and at least got 5% off with my card, better than nothing! I loved it, I could compare prices, look at reviews, etc. all the while sitting at my table having coffee!

 

[Winchester]

This is the first year I shopped almost exclusively online. When I found out I could get the same price online as in the store on Black Friday, I was impressed, NO standing in lines an fighting the crowds! We wanted an X Box 1X and it was not on sale yet anywhere, and I checked all over, it's too new. So I ordered it at Target and at least got 5% off with my card, better than nothing! I loved it, I could compare prices, look at reviews, etc. all the while sitting at my table having coffee!

Years ago, I had a terrible bout of sciatica where I couldn't stand or walk around for several weeks. And it was over the holidays. That was the year I started shopping online in earnest. It was like an epiphany; I couldn't get over how easy it was, that I could sit with my coffee or soda and shop on the computer. Had it all shipped to Rick's parents because they were always home (now I have everything shipped to work). I was amazed. It was so better than dealing with the crowd circus and long lines to check out. No trying to find parking spaces in town. And when the bill came in, we just paid it off. I became an online shopper right then and there.

This year, I did most of my online shopping this past Sunday. And everything that I ordered has come in and is ready to be wrapped. It came quickly and everything appears to be in good shape.

Oh sure, there are a few things that we'll still hit the stores for. But overall, I'm glad to shop online. I guess I'm partly to blame for the closing of regular stores. But it's just so easy. Rick and I can sit on the couch and compare prices from store to store. What's not to love?!

 

[betsygee]

I did a combination. Mostly I like to shop online but we have some out of state relatives that I wanted to get local gifts for so I went out to some local shops for those.

 

[MoochNNoodles]

I do a lot of shopping. I've done most online this year; but I do get things in stores too. It just depends on prices and what I'm looking for. Stocking stuffers are easier in store. My kid's things are easier online because I can shop without them knowing what I'm doing.

 

[1CatOverTheLine]

I guess I'm the odd man out or in my case, odd woman out, i.e. I have drastically cut back on my holiday shopping but do it at brick-and-mortar stores. Call me old fashioned but I like to be able to see what I'm buying in person. Plus after braving the stores I reward myself with a stop for an Espresso or Americano.

neely - I suppose I'm the other Odd Woman Out then - all my holiday shopping was done locally. Of course, I've no Humans for whom to shop, and buying catnip mice online just seems like a foreign concept to me.
.

 

[Kieka]

neely - I suppose I'm the other Odd Woman Out then - all my holiday shopping was done locally. Of course, I've no Humans for whom to shop, and buying catnip mice online just seems like a foreign concept to me.
.

Every good cat parent knows that you have to inspect the quality of the toy and strength of the catnip in person. Those fit in the category of in person shopping being the best method.

 

[Columbine]

I do almost all my shopping online (a mix of small town, no transport, and chronic health issues). The only things I bought in store are chocoates from small local specialist shops (we have two handmade chocolate shops in town!) and some extra lights/decorations and a few extra pet/pet themed gifts from a discount store in town. Oh, and gift wrapping stuff, and an impulse buy of a pet blanket for a friend's kitties

 

[denice]

I did almost all of it online. The only thing I bought in a brick and mortar store were some toys for a toy drive at work.

 

[AbbysMom]

It was a mix of both. The majority was online, but there were some that I had ideas for but nothing concrete so I visited some of my favorite small,local shops.

 

[cassiopea]

I like doing both. Pros and cons to either

I like local in order to support local businesses - plus some stuff is simple to get as is, only a few minutes drive away so kind of needless. And can enjoy the Christmas atmosphere, and some products I prefer to see them face to face.

I order online mainly if it is something I can't get nearby, and also it can be nice not having to worry about the wintery roads when shopping online too.

Although this year I exclusively, just by chance, only bought stuff locally in stores this time.

 

[LTS3]

I like local in order to support local businesses

Same here One of the gifts I bought was a handmade glass ornament from a local artist co-op shop.

The only things I bought in store are chocoates from small local specialist shops (we have two handmade chocolate shops in town!)

Chocolate Now I need to go to the local chocolate shop for some peppermint hot chocolate and desserts

 

[micknsnicks2mom]

i really don't have much to buy, as far as Christmas gifts go. it's just gifts for my cats. i do bake some gifts too each year.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

I do a lot of online shopping, because I don't have a car. Luckily, those I buy for are adults, and I can pretty much guage what they're going to enjoy having, so I can buy a bit at a time all through the year. And then Hekitty, who is a tough person to buy for, but Chewy generally gets her set up very well!