The Cozy Chicks | Cozy Up To Some Killer Books

City Sidewalk, Busy Sidewalks

I almost feel like I’m cheating to admit this, but I do almost all my Christmas shopping online. No Black Fridays for me. No Black Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and especially no PITCH-BLACK-HEART-OF-DARKNESS-ARE-YOU-INSANE? Christmas Eves.

Granted…been there, done that…and I ain’t going back no more, no more.

It started a few years ago — I would receive all these terrific glossy catalogs in the mail, and they were filled with weird and wonderful stuff that you just couldn’t find in my remote (then remote) corner of the world, so I started ordering special and unique gifts. It was very pleasant. I’d spend a couple of evenings curled in front of the fireplace surrounded by stacks of catalogs, and I’d sip my Pimms cup and browse and shop. And by the end of November I usually had all my Christmas shopping done.

So maybe it was a very natural progression to the Internet. My SO kids me that I get everything on the net, including my husbands, and there is some truth to that. (But that’s a post for another day.)

Anyway, like everyone else I pride myself on finding that perfect gift for the special someone. And all my someones are special, so finding that perfect gift usually entails more than slogging through the mall, dragging my shopping bags behind me. I discovered Ebay a few years ago and that has been the source of some amazing, nostalgic-rich presents like the Chrysler Christmas album I found my sister — an exact duplicate (minus the scratches) of the one we had growing up that we played almost non-stop during the week of Christmas.

And then there’s the website where I find little Canadian treats for Mr. Thrilling — Laura Secord candies, etc. He does get rather misty over that almond bark stuff they make. Oh, and the Sees candies I ship off to my publishers, and the super-duper English toffee I order for the family. (Oh, my gosh! To die for!)

I seem to be fixated on candy, don’t I?

But there’s so much you can find online if you know where to look — art prints and old books, antique crystal, hard to find movies and CDs…

And all without leaving the comfort of your own home. True, there isn’t quite the feeling of triumph when you drag home exhausted and half-frozen with horror stories to tell of nearly getting run over in the parking lot and rude sales people yet still managing to snag the very last pair of fuzzy purple sock boots from under the noses of your fellow vict–shoppers!

I do sort of miss the challenge. But it’s so nice during the last week of Christmas to stroll through the packed malls and just listen to carolers and have lunch and see a movie while you watch your fellow mankind toiling and troubling to finish up their shopping.

Yep, I almost get nostalgic for the mayhem and madness.

Almost.

So? How’s the Christmas and/or holiday shopping coming? Are you making that list and checking it twice?

22 Responses to “City Sidewalk, Busy Sidewalks”

I do all my shopping online too. It’s the way to go! I hate crowds, and I’m still not fully recovered from the broken ankle, so getting out and battling said crowds really holds no appeal for me at all.

Not that I’m finished with my shopping, of course. My family is soooo hard to shop for.

by Tori Lennox on November 28th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
I shop online too! I absolutely dread going to the mall, and I never find what I want if I go. I even buy most of my clothes online.

Talking about not leaving your house, has anyone heard of the AmazonKindle? You can download your books anywhere you can make a phone call. Will all of your books be available on it? I am wondering how good of a Xmas present it is?

by Thea on November 28th, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Oh my gosh - that toffee! Thanks for sharing that delicious site. I’m going online a lot this year too. A lot of folks are getting Penzey’s Spices.

by JB on November 28th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
I got the cyber sales done Sunday evening. That list gets longer every year. What would we do without the Web?

by Maggie on November 29th, 2007 at 1:31 am
Hey, JB, I discovered that toffee at a highland games a few years ago, and now I am addicted to it — and my whole family is addicted to it. It is truly divine.

by Diana on November 29th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Maggie, you are so relentlessly organized! I doff my santa hat to you! Seriously. I need to let my fingers start doing the walking because I’m running behind this year, and there’s really no excuse for being late with the cyber shopping!

by Diana on November 29th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Oh, Tory, believe me, I understand. It’s not just the crowds, it’s the very unholiday-like spirit of the crowds. People get so RUDE this time of year.

Well, some people. I think it stands out more this time of year. Maybe that’s it. Because if you’re listening at all, it’s hard to miss the message of the season. I guess some people are tone deaf.

by Diana on November 29th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Thea, I’m madly curious about the Kindle. If you indulge, you’re going to have to tell us all about it. In theory it sounds terrific, and I’m thinking it will be a huge hit with younger readers.

by Diana on November 29th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Hi, Diana

I’m with you when it comes to shopping online. If I don’t have to go out to a mall, especially in the winter, I’m a happy woman. Thanks for sharing your fave shopping links.

Diana

by Diana Celesky on November 29th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Same here, I do most of my shopping from the comforts of home. Can’t stand the crazy crowds.

Ooooh, vintage crystal on ebay….Diana, what have you done to me?! Be still my heart!

by Lynn in TX on November 30th, 2007 at 1:49 am
Hi from a British “Cosy Chick”! Stumbled across the blog this morning and couldn’t resist posting. I’ve been Christmas shopping online for several years now, but still have to admit a fondness for a REAL Christmas card. Too late to use any of your lovely sites, but I’ll find a few nice British ones and post them. (Oh, and my latest, Murder in Midwinter, would make a terrific present!)

Great site, ladies.

by Lesley Cookman on November 30th, 2007 at 5:19 am
So far most of my shopping has been online. You just can’t beat how easy it is!

My editors usually get Sees chocolates. Mmmm!

by Heather on November 30th, 2007 at 11:02 am
My editors usually get Sees chocolates. Mmmm!

Great chicks think alike!

by Diana on December 3rd, 2007 at 2:05 pm
(Oh, and my latest, Murder in Midwinter, would make a terrific present!)

Now how did I know that was coming?

Good luck with the book, Leslie.

by Diana on December 3rd, 2007 at 2:06 pm
Hey, Diana, hope you find the links useful — and amusing. Of course the danger of online shopping is that it’s awfully easy to find waaaay too many wonderful things for yourself as well!

by Diana on December 3rd, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Oh, Lynn, Ebay should come with the same fine print warnings you get with new credit cards. That place is DEADLY.

by Diana on December 3rd, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Old books?! Where? Where? I’ve been looking for one my mom accidentally sold at a garage sale when I was younger. I can remember some of what it was about and am almost sure I know the title, but every time I look for it online using the title I have, nothing comes up. I did manage to get lucky several years ago and found an out of print book that a favorite movie was based on (Don’t even ask how much I payed for the video…you may faint).

And while we’re on the subject of old stuff….Out of print records…..Vinyl….remember vinyl? A mall I used to go to used to have an out of print record stand. I could spend hours there and would love it if someone would buy me an out of print album/45 I’m looking for.

Our local news story just did a story about great holiday gifts. One was a bunch of lavender products (petals, sugar, etc.). I even got the name of the store. Do you think I can find them online? Of course not.

by Traci on December 4th, 2007 at 2:06 am
Traci, you have to go to the Advanced Book Exchange.

http://www.abebooks.com/

They also have a “community section” where you can throw out clues to books that you’re trying to remember, and the members will come up with suggestions — very knowledgable bunch of people. They helped me find some old mysteries I was looking for a while back. Believe me, you can spend many a happy hour on ABE!

by Diana on December 4th, 2007 at 11:14 pm
Diana,

OOH! OOH! Sound like a good site! Thanks for the link. I’ll have to try it. I’ll try anything since I’ve been looking for this book for years. I’ll let you know if I find what I’m looking for. BTW, still waiting for that e-mail. Ahem….:)

by Traci on December 5th, 2007 at 4:33 am
BTW, still waiting for that e-mail. Ahem….:)

I’m actually beginning to catch up on my email, so it’s becoming a real possibility! ;-D

by Diana on December 5th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
OH DIANA! I am so loving you right now! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Yesterday, I went to the Advanced Book Exchange website you suggested and posted the descriptions of two books I’ve been looking for. I just checked to see if there were any replies. Lo and behold, three people knew exactly what I was looking for! It’s so nice to find out after 20+ years that you’re not insane and didn’t dream these books existed. The funny thing is that now I can find both of them all over the internet. Now if only they could help me find an old movie (or maybe it was part of a PBS series) that I’m looking for. *sigh*

by Traci on December 7th, 2007 at 12:56 am
OH DIANA! I am so loving you right now! Thank you, thank you,

I’m so PLEASED. Isn’t it great when you’re able to find something you’ve been looking for forever? I’m the same way about old books; I’m always hunting for something!

And ABE is such a wonderful site for finding what you need.

by Diana on December 8th, 2007 at 4:04 pm

City Sidewalk, Busy Sidewalks

22 Responses to “City Sidewalk, Busy Sidewalks”

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