Have you checked your Inbox?

It feels like all I’m seeing in my inbox is one word “SALE”, there is email after email from shop after shop of 40% off this, or up to 50% off something else . . . “Shop Now!” “Take a further 20% off”, “sale starts NOW!” I am not joking when I say as I am writing this I can see my mailbox receiving more. So we all know by now that I love a sale, I mean what girl can resist! And even these days with all these modern guys, what guy can resist a sale! From beauty products, clothes, handbags, stationery, furniture, white goods, BBQ’s, toys, shoes, irresistible smelling candles and body creams, you name it, then google it (or just check your inbox), and you’ll find it! But I’m sure somewhere along the line I made a serious promise to my readers that I wouldn’t shop (at least for myself until next year)! Goody not many sleeps to go now!!!!!! Is that weird? I mean wouldn’t that mean my new years resolution is to start shopping? (Shh don’t tell my hubby that!) Just teasing, I don’t really believe in new years resolutions anyway.

OK Mac back on track please. So these emails inviting me to buy are starting to drive me a little crazy and well almost, (just almost), turning me off shopping. Why? Well it’s like when someone forces you to do something, you kind of want to not do it, if you know what I mean? It is like you get to a point where you say I’m not going to do it because you are pressuring me too much, and well to be honest you’re starting to bug me! Secondly I have to question how much do we really save during these sales? Wouldn’t I save more by not going to the shops? When it comes down to it if you have a list of things you need to buy and you wait until they’re on sale, then yes you are saving, but if you are going and buying random things you had no need for in the first place, then isn’t that costing you money? We all know this is true, it is basic logic, yet we still buy, buy and yes we buy, often to the point of coming home with a lot of things we didn’t really need. Shopping is like a mini (or big) high, it’s exciting buying new things, having fabulous new outfits, or those amazing earrings, but when we see the credit card bill come January, that high kind of ends in a low. I couldn’t resist clicking on a few emails (I am human after all), and I have to tell you it’s kind of disappointing, for all the hype of these great sales when you get to the site you often find that the best stuff is still full price, whilst last seasons fashions are the only things on sale, the things they just can’t get rid of! I saw a handbag on sale that no joke, I saw on sale last January. Then you have sites like Mimco and Oroton that every year after Christmas, and again in July have most of their products 50% off, so why buy anything from those stores full price? If you have been coveting a new Mimco purse then yes just wait and head to the sales., but I do have to question how much these bags, sunglasses and whatever else cost to make in the first place, when they can mark them down so dramatically at least twice a year?

I noticed on Facebook today many friends posting from the shops, their reactions to the sales were mixed, posts ranged from “These shops are Crazy, can’t move!” To “it’s busy, but fun and I’m buying heaps!” Some left after 3 hours empty handed, saying it was a waste of their time and energy, others were loving the chaos and the adrenaline rush. People were complaining about queues and fights over car parks, others were dragging their children out of bed at 5am just to beat the rush. Personally I slept in after a busy Christmas day, we enjoyed a day of playing board games with the kids followed by dinner with all the cousins. If I’m going to shop, I’ll stick to on-line for now. I find the crowds too much, and fighting for a car-park, no thanks. I love a sale, but not that much. For most of us I think we get so much on Christmas day anyway, that I have to question why we need more? I guess for the most part shopping is never really about need is it?

My favourite thing about sales is stocking up on small gifts to give throughout the year, I always make a plan to save during the year so I can shop during the sales and put lots of goodies away for next year, only I kind of forget to save, and then it gets to now and I’m penniless with no money to buy these discounted goodies! At least my intentions are good, do I get some Brownie points for that, please?

ABC News Australia, reports that shoppers are spending more this year than last year, over 2 Billion Dollars! People are camping out over night, some saying they didn’t sit down, they stood in a queue all night, what are you serious?!! I’m sorry but I could never do that! I think I have decided I am not a full blown shopaholic! People were catching trains from country areas for hours, and then staying up all night in these queues, hello, have you not heard of on-line shopping people?! According to BBC news UK, boxing day sales are a huge success with people queueing for hours to bag a bargain at popular shops like Harrods and Marks and Spencer. I guess all these shoppers must just love the thrill, the crowds, the mayhem, because why else would you do that. It’s one thing in Australia where the weather is warm this time of year, but in the USA, Europe, England, it is too cold for standing in queues for hours! I am all for rugging up and getting out, but to stand in a line and freeze, sorry but you’re not going to see me doing that! I know it’s a bit of a party pooper mentality, but I have to wonder if our money could be better spent? (Downer alert!) To go crazy at the pre-Christmas sales, followed by the post-Christmas sales, I just can’t see why we need to buy so much, when there are people with so little out there, animals in shelters who we don’t have enough money to save, and medical equipment needed in hospitals to save people from unnecessary pain. Don’t get me wrong I totally spoiled my hubby and kids with unnecessary gifts just to see their beaming smiles on Christmas morning, and I too will be guilty of buying a few things during these sales, we al deserve some spoiling and pampering, and some good shopping fun, I am just questioning whether we need to go as overboard as we do? It’s nice to support small shops and keep people in business, help the economy, and keep people in jobs etcetera, etcetera, just don’t forget the word moderation.

At the end of the day if you enjoy the buzz of shopping during the holidays, the adrenaline rush of bagging that bargain, the crowds, and the excitement then go for it, enjoy and have fun!

On the flip side if you’d rather be at home in your PJ’s shopping on-line for more PJ’s from Peter Alexander, Saxs Fifth Avenue, or John Lewis with the kids building Lego houses next to you, then I say I’m with you these holidays.

Whatever you decide, Enjoy!

Thanks for joining me, love Mackenzie xx

I would love to here your thoughts, are you a lover of shopping on-line, or do you prefer heading to the shops? And let me know does shopping this time of year make you feel like the woman in the first getty image or the second? If you’re a shopping lover try these blogs Road Trip, proud to be nude? Where’s my handbag? or shoe love!