After the initial shock of missing "black Friday" shopping this year, I think I can say that I like this lower-key holiday season. It's kind of interesting that people I talk to who have lived in the lower 48 (as they call the "contiguous" U.S.) talk nostalgically of the shopping opportunities that they left behind to move to the Land of Santa Claus. Really, when you think about it, what
can't you buy at Walmart? And, if Fred Meyer has a coupon, you can buy it there cheaper. No need to "price check". Granted, that sweater you have your eye on only comes in blue and you had better pick up the XL when you have a chance - almost all the advertisements have the words "limited to stock on hand" for almost all sale items. However, Freddies (as we "locals" call it!) offers a 10% discount on Tuesdays in December for those 55+, and I have taken advantage of that (even though you actually have to ASK for it - how loudly can you say "I am OLD - give me my discount!"). I do miss Walgreens - I thought a fun game show would be to give someone $100 on Christmas Eve at 5:00 p.m. and challenge them to purchase a complete "Christmas" in one hour. You could do it - complete with presents, food, even wine at some stores! We Meier's actually had to do it one time many years ago, when Millie was ill and there wasn't going to be a Christmas - until she "rallied" and Grandpa Ed sent us to Walgreens for all the fixins' of a fine Christmas dinner! Alas, there isn't a Walgreens and I'm getting a bit tired of
the Walmart. I have shopped (shhh - don't tell the grandkids!) online and had the gifts shipped (for free!) to Milwaukee where Uncle Brian will transport them to Louisville. Ad's come with the Sunday paper - five sheets for Freddie alone! One for toys, one for groceries, one for electronics, one for "fine" jewelry and one for seasonal specials. The local Walmart ad comes in Thursday's paper, and that is it! There is a Radio Shack and a Joanne Fabrics in the Nugget Mall along with a Hallmark Cards and an Alaskan Outfitter (like an REI). Since this is all we have here in Juneau, it is plenty. My Pastor's wife used to live in St. Louis when her husband was in the seminary and she said she misses Kohl's. Of course, you can find anything you'd ever want online, but you can't try on the jeans or see if your shirt sleeves are long enough or if the brown curtain panels are really brown, not taupe.
Of course, shopping isn't all one can do around Christmas time. Bill and I bought our tree from the Juneau High School Swim Team ( a fundraiser) for $40 and we went to the beautiful Chapel By the Lake (at Univ. of Alaska - Southeast) for a community choir Christmas Concert. On Christmas Eve afternoon, we have tickets for a performance of "A Christmas Carol" that has gotten terrific reviews in the paper ("Scrooge" was flown in from Anchorage!) and we were invited to share a "cup" of Christmas Cheer on Christmas Eve with someone we met last weekend at the Juneau Electric Christmas Party (the Meier's didn't hit the hay until 2 A.M.!). That is what the holiday is about - new friends and familiar Christmas tree ornaments, skyping with family just before the Packer game, and sharing my vast selection of cookies with neighbors (I'll leave them with the morning paper!)
the Walmart. I have shopped (shhh - don't tell the grandkids!) online and had the gifts shipped (for free!) to Milwaukee where Uncle Brian will transport them to Louisville. Ad's come with the Sunday paper - five sheets for Freddie alone! One for toys, one for groceries, one for electronics, one for "fine" jewelry and one for seasonal specials. The local Walmart ad comes in Thursday's paper, and that is it! There is a Radio Shack and a Joanne Fabrics in the Nugget Mall along with a Hallmark Cards and an Alaskan Outfitter (like an REI). Since this is all we have here in Juneau, it is plenty. My Pastor's wife used to live in St. Louis when her husband was in the seminary and she said she misses Kohl's. Of course, you can find anything you'd ever want online, but you can't try on the jeans or see if your shirt sleeves are long enough or if the brown curtain panels are really brown, not taupe. 
Of course, shopping isn't all one can do around Christmas time. Bill and I bought our tree from the Juneau High School Swim Team ( a fundraiser) for $40 and we went to the beautiful Chapel By the Lake (at Univ. of Alaska - Southeast) for a community choir Christmas Concert. On Christmas Eve afternoon, we have tickets for a performance of "A Christmas Carol" that has gotten terrific reviews in the paper ("Scrooge" was flown in from Anchorage!) and we were invited to share a "cup" of Christmas Cheer on Christmas Eve with someone we met last weekend at the Juneau Electric Christmas Party (the Meier's didn't hit the hay until 2 A.M.!). That is what the holiday is about - new friends and familiar Christmas tree ornaments, skyping with family just before the Packer game, and sharing my vast selection of cookies with neighbors (I'll leave them with the morning paper!)
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