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Christmas

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Original poster

What is your Christmas shopping ratio of in store v online?

100 replies

cheeriobye · 12/12/2021 21:27

I've done 80:20 in favour of in store shopping. It's been time consuming though and in hindsight I actually wish I'd done more online.

Traffic, parking, achy feet from lots of walking, busy, queues, not really sure what I'm looking for. Just no fun. Only downside to me for online shopping is all the packaging you then have to get rid of.

What about you?

OP posts:
TuftyMarmoset · 12/12/2021 22:43

I’ve done probably 90% online. I only buy instore for cards and anything where I’m not sure what to get and need to browse. I hate going to busy shops, and don’t drive so I have to schlep it all home on foot - only around 20 minutes but not ideal with lots of bags or icy weather. Plus much cheaper by using the bargain threads on here!

elQuintoConyo · 12/12/2021 22:46

20% online. I live in the town centre and can get everything easily. Online has been a big gift for DS and gifts for those abroad.

I've done well and avoided Amazon this year Smile

batmanladybird · 12/12/2021 22:50

About 85% online

womaninatightspot · 12/12/2021 22:51

Mostly online. A bit at the local independants. I once went shopping in my local city for kids wellies. Tried tesco/ asda/ shoezone type places in October not a welly to be found (in the right size)even clarks and indie shoe shop. Hours traipsing around, came home and ordered online in five minutes. I gave up traipsing into town at that point.

YorkieTheRabbit · 12/12/2021 22:52

100% online, We had our Christmas tree delivered from a place where we buy compost and mulch, I just phone and tell them the type and size of tree we want. Xmas Smile

3cats4poniesandababy · 12/12/2021 22:52

Almost all online but almost all from small independent shops.

Unfortunately I live in a town which has a dire highstreet. I am 30 mins from a small city (one which also has a reputation of nit being the nicest) so almost all the shops left years ago. I do make a point of going to the independent deli ect for treats through the year and the butchers but neither are really present shops.

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 12/12/2021 22:53

How do you feel about potentially the end of high street stores in towns/cities

I feel that they've had it coming for a long time - and they've been given plenty of notice as the decline has been slow enough. Delivery fees are cheaper than bus fares/ parking fees which isn't the shops' fault but someone somewhere in the local councils should be able to join the bloody dots!
I pretty much feel now that anyone who hasn't adapted to online selling yet has only got themselves to blame.

Yes I have done 100% online. I don't like people 😁

Original poster
cheeriobye · 12/12/2021 22:54

@womaninatightspot

Mostly online. A bit at the local independants. I once went shopping in my local city for kids wellies. Tried tesco/ asda/ shoezone type places in October not a welly to be found (in the right size)even clarks and indie shoe shop. Hours traipsing around, came home and ordered online in five minutes. I gave up traipsing into town at that point.

I've had a few similar scenarios where we've had to end up ordering online after having been to the shops and it just felt like such a waste of time.

I think the end is nigh for the high street.

OP posts:
HollyandIvyandAllThingsYule · 12/12/2021 22:55

I feel that they've had it coming for a long time - and they've been given plenty of notice as the decline has been slow enough.

This.

Lots of my shopping has been from small independent shops/one-woman (or man) businesses/artists and artisans. I’d rather support them.

witsendeverytime · 12/12/2021 23:01

90% online. I love shopping in person but haven't had the energy this year and having to wear a mask (I never stopped) makes it unpleasant. Plus my sun was quite specific about what he wanted, and I couldn't get may of my daughters presents in a shop. I'm better shopping for myself in an actual shop.

Haybo26 · 12/12/2021 23:02

99% online.

Apple40 · 12/12/2021 23:06

100% on line for presents this year, My food shop is in person.
Like others said high street has been in decline for years, and at the moment it’s not enjoyable anymore, after car park charges it’s cheaper to just pay delivery plus it feels like no one wants to serve you anymore it’s all self serve tills which error the minute you say yes have own bag.

Pegasussnail · 12/12/2021 23:08

Presents 75 percent online rest in local shops

Groceries I buy locally in store (we have aldi lidl tesco less than 10 min drive)

TurnUpTurnip · 12/12/2021 23:08

Mainly online, if I went shopping
I would have to take my kids with me so...

DaydreamerBetty · 12/12/2021 23:11

Mostly all online including the food shopping.

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 12/12/2021 23:12

90% online but my method is to add stuff to an Amazon wish list throughout the year as I see something I think someone would like. So if aunt sally says how much she likes a cath kidson bag, I add an external link to the wish list with a note saying 'for aunt sally'. I check in on the list every now and again, make sure I have something for everyone. Then one day in mid November I sit down for 5 mins, click 'add to basket on everything and over the course of the next 2 weeks it all arrives 😀

The only thing I tend to get in shops is stocking fillers and bits of seasonal food.

ExquisitelyDecorated · 12/12/2021 23:14

Probably 80% online this year but I have spent afternoons in each of my three nearest cities as well as the local High Street picking up bits and bobs. I prefer in person shopping but it is getting harder to do it all that way. On the plus side its far easier parking in town centres in the run up to Christmas than it used to be.

Houseplantmad · 12/12/2021 23:16

90% online. Did a recce for something's but bought them online later so I could get cashback for the purchases.

justasking111 · 12/12/2021 23:18

Mostly online everything for adults they have hobbies so couldn't buy those items locally. Did buy clothes for OH he tried everything on first. We had fun in Smyth's buying toys for grandchildren

momo63 · 12/12/2021 23:20

This reply has been deleted

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Delphinna · 12/12/2021 23:21

99% online. Most of it was delivered to my house. A few items were ordered online for click and collect, simply because I live right next to a superstore and it was free to click and collect which saved me a fiver on delivery. The 1% of stuff I bought in person was cheap bargains from outlets which aren’t sold online. So basically the only reason I bother to shop in person is if it saves me some money. But online shopping is vastly superior in every way.

MrsSkylerWhite · 12/12/2021 23:22

90/10 online. Would like to shop local but just can’t afford it.

Slowchimes · 12/12/2021 23:23

95% on line. Much better choice. No hassle. You can think about it overnight.

And I'm sorry but department stores and small shops don't always make it a pleasurable experience for the shopper. I find department stores too hot, you have to walk miles through the store to find where you want to go, especially if you are a woman, when you get there there isn't the thing you want in stock, there's no one around to help, queues at the till, they are less than pleasant if something is faulty and you need to take it back. And in small shops you often have people looking at you as if you are a criminal or you touch anything. And there has been so much focus by retailers on immediate sales (as opposed to repeat business) that everything is laid out so you spend the maximum amount, it is not laid out for the convenience of the shopper, and I think it has all back fired tbh.

And I hate crowds and people who saunter along pavements as I like to walk fast. Loathe the strip lighting and the piped music and crowded lifts!

It's so much nicer being able to sit at home in the calm and quiet and browse on line and consider your decisions at leisure and compare prices etc. The only 'real' shops I like now are museum or gallery shops, or specialist food shops or book shops.

Bloodybridget · 13/12/2021 01:45

I only bought one present online (because that was the only way to get it). I don't have many people to buy for, and I much prefer to shop in person.

DukeofEarlGrey · 13/12/2021 02:22

@HalfShrunkMoreToGo

90% online but my method is to add stuff to an Amazon wish list throughout the year as I see something I think someone would like. So if aunt sally says how much she likes a cath kidson bag, I add an external link to the wish list with a note saying 'for aunt sally'. I check in on the list every now and again, make sure I have something for everyone. Then one day in mid November I sit down for 5 mins, click 'add to basket on everything and over the course of the next 2 weeks it all arrives 😀

The only thing I tend to get in shops is stocking fillers and bits of seasonal food.

@HalfShrunkMoreToGo this is genius. I live in awe of people like you!

I’ve done 90% online and the other 10% was buying for my nephew in a local toy shop that was convenient. It was rowdy and crowded but short-lived and I made up for it with a hit chocolate afterwards!