2015 Day 26 - Boxing Day

Boxing day was simlar to last year...except I was running late uploading photos to facebook, so I didn't get there until 9:30 (our meeting time).  THANKFULLY, it wasn't as crazy busy this year and I easily found a parking stall close to where I normally park!  I ran in to find my Mom and Jocelynne....both were already there...so NO coffee for me!

We did our regular shopping and when they were trying on clothes near 2nd Cup, I ran down to get a coffee...it was busy getting on the escalator and EB Games was lined up all the way down the mall (strange)

I ended up with a pair of pants, a bracelet from Swarovski and 4 sweaters...I was pleased with my purchases...not too much and not too little.  Jocelynne bought a ton of stuff prior to meeting us at WEM and then proceeded to purchase a ton there...so much that she couldn't bend over otherwise she'd knock over people and displays...hilarious. 

We had our normal lunch and there were actually other people there eating in our secret location...boo

The following day was our annual scrapbooking event...but this year, because Dec 27 was a Sunday, we had to have it at our house.  Miriam, Jocelynne and even Colleen came over...we got nothing accomplished but had a nice visit (since we hadn't seen Colleen since Jan 2015)

2014 Day 26 - Boxing Day

Boxing day = get to mall by 9, have a coffee, meet Jocelynne and my mother, and shop until we drop!

Last year was the first year the mall advertised they would be open at 7 am and this year was the same.  The parking lot was almost full by 9 am when I arrived and some sections of the mall were very busy - but not nearly as busy as last year (which was the busiest I had ever seen it in all those years we've been going there on Boxing day).

I only purchased 5 tops, but my shopping buddies did purchase a ton!  We also had a lovely lunch in our secret spot (beef dip with  tomatoe basil soup).  We were there from 9 am until 6 pm!  WOW!  I had on my new fitbit and we walked 12,294 steps that day!

The following day was our annual scrapbooking day - my only day to scrapbook at a real shop, rather than on my kitchen table.

2013 Day 26 - Boxing Day

We celebrate Boxing Day here in Canada - its like Black Friday - shops open early (5 am), people line up early for door buster deals and most everything that isn't a new arrival is 50% off.  The only thing missing is people being trampled (so far...I'm sure its coming though).

We've gone to the mall every Boxing day for as long as I can remember.  When I was small, however, all that was open was the department stores and card stores...this was because the only thing that was 50% off was Christmas cards, wrap, tags and decorations.  We would pile into the car, go to the mall, watch mom grab wrap and cards while Dad was already in the line-up.  Once we got everything paid for, we'd go back home, all done.

Somewhere in the 80's it changed to be a huge shopping day and Mom and I have been going to shop every boxing day since I've been able to drive (so a long time).  We'd be loaded with bags and take at least 1 trip ( but normally more) to the car to unload our booty!  I'd get at least 2 suits every year and often a new winter coat and lots of other clothing - fantastic!  The good deals we had in the past have diminished - lots of shops now have "50% on clearance" - which is pretty picked over already, so we don't get as many good deals as we used to...but we are LOOKING for them every year!  My friend Jocelynne started joining us about 5 years ago and its great fun to shop, chit chat, have a nice quiet lunch (shhhh....we know the 1 place in our mall that no one know is there) and then laugh at all the university students that are still standing in the line-ups for Abercrombie and Fitch (etc) whilst we head home with all our bags!

This year was particularly crazy at the mall.  We meet every year around 9:30 and I get there around 9 so I can have a leisurely coffee.  Last year I took a photo of the crowds at that time...and there weren't any - which is typical...the crowds usually arrive around 1 pm, when we are done most of our shopping and are having a leisurely lunch.  THIS year, it was hard to find parking at 9 am!  There were even people sitting on the floor around the food courts because there wasn't a place to sit where there were tables - I've never seen it that busy...and makes us even more thankful for our secret eating place!