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Hitting the mall at Christmas
by Michelle Minnoch

Every year, the same question is heard around this time - "Can you believe it's less than a month until Christmas?"

And every year, people suddenly feel caught off guard and overwhelmed that it is the end of November and the thought of starting Christmas shopping is one royal pain in the neck. The funny thing is that Christmas falls on the same day every year, yet people often seemed surprised by it.

Now, I like going to the mall to get my Christmas shopping done, or at least I thought I did. I grew up in Mississauga and every other day I hopped on a bus and within minutes I was at Square One and the world was my oyster.

The funny thing now is that the other day, I was in Mississauga and my friend Cathy took me to Square One. It had been about 10 years since I had been there and not only was it overwhelming, but a little annoying as well. Then and there I decided I am not the mall girl I used to be.

I remember when I used to look forward to Christmas shopping - I would grab a bunch of gals, and we would make a day of shopping, eating lunch, then do more shopping, and go to a restaurant for dinner, perhaps a show afterward.

I remember when I was a teen enjoying the time and year and I couldn't understand why so many adults around me dreaded hitting the mall during the holiday season. I would wonder why they had lost their Christmas spirit.

Now that I am older, I totally get it. Actually I think I got it the first time I had to park at a mall during the Christmas season. That is when I discovered road rage (another topic, another time).

Maybe it is because I have not lived in a city for about 10 years, maybe it is because I am older, or maybe I have come to realize that even though you have to buy gifts for your loved ones, it doesn't stop your mortgage or car payment from coming out of your account.

Yes, it is Christmas time, and many people do have to go to stores and the local mall to do their shopping. Georgian Mall in Barrie has undergone a transformation and from what I saw at the grand re-opening, it looks great. That is, if you like going to malls.

So, I will be out there, like some of you, who have not yet started their shopping, but are the first ones to complain about the time it takes to find a parking space and how long it takes to check out one item at the counter.

And the lesson that I am taking away from this for next year; online shopping.