From the Completely Unofficial Christmas Shopping Archives, circa 1990: Two women spend the day Christmas shopping. Witnesses report laughter, lunch, several unexpected purchases, and absolutely no concern about next-day delivery.
Remember when Christmas shopping was something you actually looked forward to?
Not just the gifts or the excitement of finding a good deal, but the whole day of it. Getting dressed, heading out with someone you enjoyed spending time with, wandering through stores, stopping for lunch, and coming home tired but happy, with shopping bags scattered across the back seat.
Somewhere along the way, Christmas shopping became another task on an already overwhelming list of things to do.
And I think we've lost a little something because of it.
When Shopping Was an Occasion
I remember when people dressed up to go Christmas shopping. Maybe not in their Sunday best, but they put a little thought into what they wore. The stores were decorated, Christmas music played, and even the busiest shopping days had a certain excitement about them.
There was anticipation in finding just the right gift. Sometimes you knew exactly what you were looking for. Other times, you didn't have a clue until something caught your eye.
And there was something satisfying about walking out of a store knowing you'd found it.
I have wonderful memories of Christmas shopping with my mother. With fifteen children, fourteen in-laws, and more than sixty grandchildren and great-grandchildren eventually on her list, Christmas shopping was no small undertaking.
It wasn't unusual for her to make several shopping trips, each one easily becoming a twelve-hour marathon.
She was determined to find something for everyone, and she had an incredible ability to keep track of it all. She also believed in being fair, which could make shopping interesting when one person's perfect gift cost a little more than another's.
I still smile thinking about the lengths she would go to make everything come out right.
We traveled from mall to mall, talking, laughing, occasionally getting a little irritated with one another, and stopping for lunch somewhere along the way.
Going out to eat was a rare treat when I was growing up in such a large family, and even as an adult, I loved sharing that experience with her.
Sometimes we'd spend hours searching through the big malls, only to stop in a quaint downtown on the way home and discover something we hadn't seen anywhere else. Often it was even better than what we'd spent the day hunting for.
Those little discoveries were part of the fun.
It Was Never Just About the Shopping
When my own four children were growing up, I wanted them to experience some of that excitement too.
There was something special about taking them shopping, watching them think about what someone else might like, and seeing how proud they were when they found a gift they couldn't wait to give.
Of course, not every outing was magical.
There were tired feet, hungry kids, crowded stores, and moments when everyone had probably had enough of one another.
But looking back, those aren't the things that stand out.
I remember the conversations, the laughter, the excitement, and the time spent together.
I remember the experience of getting ready for Christmas.
Somewhere Along the Way, Things Changed
I understand why so much shopping happens online now. Life is busy. It's convenient, and sometimes it's simply the easiest way to get things done.
I've certainly done my share of it.
And for a while, chasing Black Friday bargains was an adventure of its own. There was something entertaining about getting up ridiculously early, making a plan, and seeing what kind of deal you could find.
But after a while, the excitement of the bargain seemed to replace some of the enjoyment of the day.
Shopping became faster, more efficient, and perhaps a little less personal.
We could check more names off our lists without ever leaving the house, but we weren't necessarily making any memories along the way.
Maybe There's Room for Both
Owning Her Happy Place in historic downtown St. Peter, Minnesota, has given me an interesting perspective on all of this.
We're part of a walkable downtown where people can wander from shop to shop, stop for lunch or coffee, and discover things they weren't necessarily looking for.
I get to see what happens when people slow down enough to enjoy themselves.
Friends come in together, try things on, ask each other's opinions, laugh about something completely unrelated to shopping, and sometimes leave with something they never expected to find.
I talk with other downtown business owners, and I know they enjoy those moments too.
There's something wonderful about being part of a day that people have chosen to spend together. Sometimes the conversations are every bit as enjoyable as the shopping.
And I think that's what I miss most about the Christmas shopping days I remember.
Not the crowded malls or the long hours. Not even the excitement of finding the perfect gift.
It's the time spent with people I loved, doing something together.
Maybe It's Time to Bring Back the Day
Maybe this Christmas, we could make a little room for that again.
Call a friend. Take your daughter, your mother, your sister, or someone you haven't spent enough time with lately.
Better yet, make it a tradition. Pick a day every year when the shopping isn't something to rush through, but something to look forward to.
Get dressed, head out, wander through a few shops, stop somewhere for lunch, and give yourselves permission to enjoy the day.
You don't have to finish your entire Christmas list. You don't even have to buy anything.
You might discover a gift you hadn't thought of, find something that makes you laugh, or simply enjoy a conversation you wouldn't have had otherwise.
And years from now, you may not remember exactly what you bought.
But you just might remember the day.
Because the best part of Christmas shopping was never just checking names off a list.
It was everything that happened along the way.
Make a Christmas Shopping Day of It
If you're looking for somewhere to spend a little time together this Christmas, we'd love to welcome you to historic downtown St. Peter, Minnesota.
Our walkable downtown has independent shops, places to enjoy lunch or coffee, free parking, and plenty of opportunities to discover something unexpected.
At Her Happy Place, you'll find thoughtfully selected women's clothing, jewelry, accessories, and gifts. We're especially excited to welcome shoppers during our holiday season, with Candlelight Thursday evenings, Sunday shopping, and our Holiday Open House.
Whether you're visiting from Mankato, the Twin Cities, or somewhere in between, consider making a day of it.
Plan Your Holiday Shopping Day in St. Peter
Visit experiencestpeter.com for shopping, dining, parking, and holiday information.
Explore Our Holiday Gift Guide
Visit herhappyplaceshop.com for gift inspiration, holiday fashion, jewelry, and more.
Lisa Eide is the owner of Her Happy Place, a women's clothing and gift boutique at 217 South Minnesota Avenue in historic downtown St. Peter, Minnesota. She writes about personal style, visual balance, and the everyday experiences that make life a little more enjoyable.
