Gapers Block has ceased publication.

Gapers Block published from April 22, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2016. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
 Thank you for your readership and contributions. 

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Friday, March 29

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Fuel

Andrew / November 30, 2005 11:01 AM

...Other than "Don't do it!" and other such hum-bugginess?

Lori / November 30, 2005 11:30 AM

three words:

Cut Rate Toys

Just west of Central on Devon.


Josh / November 30, 2005 11:51 AM

I like to wait until December 24. It's easier 'cause there is less stuff to pick from.

steven / November 30, 2005 12:37 PM

buy the bulk of your gifts early...then you can spend the rest of the remaining weeks worry and hassle free, picking up small thngs here and there...actually enjoying the christmas season...

Naz / November 30, 2005 1:09 PM

Do it online. Seriously.

Also, support local artisans if you can. They too, have online offerings.

My shopping this year will not require me to step inside a real store this year.

Thank goodness.

amyc / November 30, 2005 1:11 PM

If you can't make your gifts yourself, buy handmade things from local artists and crafters. Fuck the malls, man.

Hey, by the way, there's another DEPART-ment show this weekend!

normal / November 30, 2005 1:13 PM

buy at department stores with great deals because then you save money.

the Horseman / November 30, 2005 1:18 PM

Mega and local businesses alike often have much lower prices online than in-store for the same items. And online often means no sales tax and/or free shipping.

Mike / November 30, 2005 1:39 PM

- Amazon
- Delilah's Art Show
- Church Craft fairs
- Christkindlmarket
- Waxman
- Ebay

Most importantly, an agreement with your family only to buy a few gifts for each other.

MikeH / November 30, 2005 1:51 PM

Online shopping is the best thing to happen to Christmas since the invention of egg nog...

- especially helpful if you don't own a car
- many online retailers offer free shipping during the holiday season
- depending upon the type and location of the online retailer, you may not have to pay state sales tax
- better for the environment
- and much quicker and less stressful without the hassle of looking for parking, waiting in long lines, etc.

It's not even December 1st yet, and I've already nearly completed my Christmas shopping, all online...

slb / November 30, 2005 1:57 PM

Don't get trampled!!!

Kevin / November 30, 2005 2:15 PM

Other than "Don't do it!" and other such hum-bugginess?

Well I guess that counts me out.

Wendy / November 30, 2005 2:20 PM

Online retail makes things easier, yes, but it also has its unique problems, one of which is that it's hard to resist shopping EVERY SPARE MOMENT YOU GET, especially when you have the impulse to start early. So my tip is: give yourself a deadline or a stopping point. Decide that if you need to do more shopping after a certain date you'll only go to one store or give gift certificates.

Also, know when to drink. Don't do it while you're surfing Amazon. Do it after a day at Woodfield.

jen / November 30, 2005 2:52 PM

a little online shopping and lots of gift certificates, and supplement both with some homemade flare (if you're artsy like that).

the gift certificate portion may sound cheesy and overdone, but it takes out a lot of headache for me when it comes to shopping for my parents.

Katie Scully / November 30, 2005 3:16 PM

Support artists and crafters! I'm a loyal fan of etsy.com, and plan to do a lot of my shopping there (it doesn't hurt that I sell my own stuff at etsy, either).

Sarah / November 30, 2005 3:25 PM

One of my friends just told me that books at Left of Center bookstore on Granville are 25% off this week.

Brittany / November 30, 2005 3:50 PM

Go during the middle of the week. I have worked at Marshall Field's and know that the middle of the week is the slowest time, especially on Mondays and Tuesdays. Go early, before the lunch time shoppers.

Matt / November 30, 2005 4:12 PM

Blow it all on rent.

robin / November 30, 2005 6:21 PM

mightygoods.com
buyolympia.com
motelgallery.com

buy a print from my friend Daniel:

urbanhonking.com/kill

C-Note / November 30, 2005 7:15 PM

Fuck shopping. Just. Say. No. I don't "shop" unless I'm in Victoria's Secret with my girlfriend. If you shop, you're a loser. What? You're going to buy a bunch of shit just because everybody else is? Do yourself a favor and donate your brain to somebody who could use it. All you need is your spinal cord if you're not gonna use your fuckin' reason.

printdude / November 30, 2005 7:24 PM

I actually enjoy strolling the malls; this is, in fact, the time of year that I go the malls. I have no real gift ideas in mind and I like to have a nice little lunch, a coupla coktails, and the mall seems much brighter and far more fun. Especially when you go with your buds and you can shop for your wife in peace.
But oh yeah online rocks, too, I just really like to "see" something to buy it.

Trance / November 30, 2005 7:51 PM

Online for me! No lines, no crabby people, you can generally always find the sizes/colors you need, easy to find sales/coupons, and stuff comes in a box, ready to wrap. It doesn't get any better than that. I like giving gift certificates, too, though. I think everyone likes them.

nico / November 30, 2005 10:49 PM

definitely threadless...$10 shirts for everyone!

Brian / December 1, 2005 6:54 AM

"Just say no."

paul / December 1, 2005 8:32 AM

I ain't buying nothing for nobody this year, and it's got nothing to do with being a Scrooge.

Want a present? Meet me in the bar, and I'll buy you some Christmas cheer.

Pete / December 1, 2005 9:47 AM

My mantra: online, gift cards, charitable donations.

misty / December 1, 2005 10:27 AM

Holidays are better without present shopping. My family has been going present free for three years now, it's a huge relief.

Brandy / December 4, 2005 2:39 PM

Uh, I *make* my gifts. Thankfully, I've got the skills. So, no awkward uh-sweetie-thanks-for-the-sentiment -but-what am-I-going-to-do-with-a-lumpy crafted-thing moments.

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