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Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Christmas Shopping at the Mall
Saturday, December 7th, 2024

I used to be one of those shoppers who waited until the last dang minute to do all her shopping in one marathon of a day—even sometimes on Christmas Eve. I’d head to the mall with a list and hope there were still treasures to find. It was stressful as hell. My daughter broke me of that habit.

She begins in summertime, a few gifts at a time, with a more and more refined list until she pretty much has everything on her list purchased well before Thanksgiving. As soon as she starts talking about it, I follow her lead and begin purchasing gifts one at a time in a leisurely fashion until I’m done. I have all the gifts bought for folks in the house. The only things left to buy are gift cards to mail or email, and I’ll be done.

Another thing my daughter does very, very well is keeping track of when sales happen at her favorite stores. Like yesterday’s… She headed to the city to hit Bath & Bodyworks annual candle sale. She stocked up on candles for her house and a few to gift. She brought me one home that’s gorgeous—a Bridgerton-themed one with a pretty glass topper. Candles that usually go for over $25 apiece, she was able to purchase for $9. And we use those candles. I have one burning on my desk right now. She even wrangled her hubby into going with her. He was a good sport to pose for this picture…

He’ll kill me if he sees me posting this! LOL

Anyway, I thought about Christmas shopping and my old mall days. You wouldn’t catch me dead in the mall these days. I love to roam the online sites and like it even better when I can find gifts from local artists or crafters. For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, solve the puzzle, then tell me whether you’re braving the mall this year, whether this was or is a thing you like to do…

26 comments to “Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Christmas Shopping at the Mall”

  1. Deb Brown
    Comment
    1
    · December 7th, 2024 at 11:47 am · Link

    Used to like going out to shop. However due to a lot of things it’s mostly on line shopping now.



  2. Eileen McCall
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    2
    · December 7th, 2024 at 11:53 am · Link

    I’ll brave the mall if I need to, but I don’t like the crowds so much anymore. But, I did go get candles yesterday for BBW Candle Day!



  3. cindy
    Comment
    3
    · December 7th, 2024 at 12:02 pm · Link

    I don’t drive, so unless I need a ride for a dr appt or something of a similar nature, I hate to ask for rides. I realize people’s time is important and I don’t want to infringe on it. To get to a mall involves 2 buses and a trolley not the mention from the stop to the mall.
    Not worth it anymore.
    I prefer the slow pace of online shopping.



  4. Terra Oenning
    Comment
    4
    · December 7th, 2024 at 12:05 pm · Link

    We don’t have a mall anymore so I braved Walmart and mainly online shopping. Its lets stressful lol Merry Christmas to you and your family ❤️ 🎅🎄



  5. Jaclynn Lett
    Comment
    5
    · December 7th, 2024 at 12:14 pm · Link

    I hate shopping in holiday crowds. These days I buy most of my gifts online, unless I happen across a perfect item in person.



  6. Charlene Whitehouse
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    6
    · December 7th, 2024 at 12:17 pm · Link

    32:49 only because I was on the phone with my daughter. I never go to the mall. It’s too hectic.



  7. Beth
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    7
    · December 7th, 2024 at 12:22 pm · Link

    No mall for me. Haven’t gone near one for any reason for since 2019, and that time was for a craft show I was a vendor at, no shopping myself.



  8. Anna Taylor Sweringen
    Comment
    8
    · December 7th, 2024 at 12:25 pm · Link

    Never did Christmas Mall shopping. My MO was head into B&N and not come out until I had a book for everyone. I’d also go to smaller independent bookstores too



  9. Theresa Privette
    Comment
    9
    · December 7th, 2024 at 12:32 pm · Link

    No, thank you to the mall. I tend to buy everything online during Black Friday sales the week of Thanksgiving. I used to shop all year long starting with day after Christmas sales but then I ended up with so much that Christmas looked like a wrapped department store than Christmas because I forgot what I had already gotten for whom. Tried to make a list as well the few years I did that was worse (I love bargains and great sales plus the gifts had to be even for all 3 sons so I just kept adding more) now I limit to buying that one week and it ends up better for everyone and allows me to be able to get it all wrapped ahead of time instead of 2 entire days of wrapping on 23rd and 24th.



  10. Colleen C.
    Comment
    10
    · December 7th, 2024 at 12:38 pm · Link

    I do most of my shopping online… once in a while I will go to a store or two.



  11. Elaine Swinney
    Comment
    11
    · December 7th, 2024 at 1:14 pm · Link

    I won’t do the mall if I don’t have to. It isn’t safe but sometimes that is the only place to get what I need.



  12. BN
    Comment
    12
    · December 7th, 2024 at 1:20 pm · Link

    yes



  13. Kerry jo
    Comment
    13
    · December 7th, 2024 at 2:42 pm · Link

    I like to shop online anymore for Christmas. I used to like to shop for Christmas deals but they start in October anymore



  14. Diane Sallans
    Comment
    14
    · December 7th, 2024 at 2:46 pm · Link

    I used to like going to one of the malls around me, but not anymore – especially at this time of the year -betwee the parking & the crowds I’d rather not



  15. Steph
    Comment
    15
    · December 7th, 2024 at 3:22 pm · Link

    I used to shop at the mall all the time but our malls are starting to close so I usually buy local before I go to box stores or online. I like to keep our small business in business 😁



  16. Ani
    Comment
    16
    · December 7th, 2024 at 4:27 pm · Link

    Avoiding malls, but hitting markets in small towns



  17. AMY FENDLEY
    Comment
    17
    · December 7th, 2024 at 4:59 pm · Link

    I used to go do the black friday shopping. The mall in Hot Springs is so dead, so many empty places, it just isn’t worth the hassle. I do a lot of my shopping online. This year I am just being a bah humbug this year. This is the first year that my daughter is not going to be here. She got married and she is going to South Carolina this year for Christmas.



  18. Linda Rhoden
    Comment
    18
    · December 7th, 2024 at 5:10 pm · Link

    I don’t buy any gifts. I only buy gift cards. That way they can get what they want



  19. Delilah
    Comment
    19
    · December 7th, 2024 at 5:33 pm · Link

    7:14 — took me forever. Way too small elements.



  20. Amy Beck
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    20
    · December 7th, 2024 at 6:11 pm · Link

    Occasionally



  21. Courtney Kinder
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    21
    · December 7th, 2024 at 6:30 pm · Link

    No, I’m doing the rest of my shopping online. I used to go mall shopping with friends but we usually shop online now.



  22. Pansy Petal
    Comment
    22
    · December 7th, 2024 at 7:09 pm · Link

    The last time I went to a mall was about 2006 or 7, and then it was a dying mall with few customers. Haven’t cared for mall shopping for a very long time. These days, online is my go to for any shopping.



  23. Mary Preston
    Comment
    23
    · December 7th, 2024 at 7:11 pm · Link

    4:47 – I go shopping first thing in the morning. No crowds.



  24. Jennifer Beyer
    Comment
    24
    · December 7th, 2024 at 8:55 pm · Link

    I don’t plan to go to the mall this holiday season. I’ve talked to people who have gone to the mall recently and they have all reported back that the mall isn’t particularly busy at this point.



  25. Debra Guyette
    Comment
    25
    · December 7th, 2024 at 10:58 pm · Link

    I try to avoid the malls between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I cannot burn candles due to allergies. I feel bad for others who have top out out their candles when I am there.



  26. Beckie
    Comment
    26
    · December 8th, 2024 at 4:03 am · Link

    Not braving any malls this year at all. Recovery from ankle surgery. I like playing elf or shopping with needy kids. Otherwise I don’t due much at all.



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