Option 1: Retail wonderland
“Thanksgiving was early this year, and a lot of the people we saw here, in many cases, were just browsing and seeing what was out there,” Larry Parsons, manager of Meridian Mall, said of the weekend traffic. “We’re confident that they’ll be back buying as the holiday draws closer.”
He called the overall outlook “a little disappointing,” but hopes remain high.
Monday evening shoppers wandered through the corridors and stores at the Meridian Mall, 1982 W. Grand River Ave. in Okemos, some purchasing goods after browsing or avoiding the mall altogether last weekend.
Nursing sophomore Meaghan Reardon browsed goods at the mall over the weekend and returned Monday to make the kill.
The night’s bounty included a coffee pot, Bath & Body Works goods and clothes for friends and family.
“I’m spending a lot less than last year just because I’m unable to find a good job,” she said.
Reardon’s friend and roommate, Amanda Watkins, avoided the mall and post-turkey rush altogether. She accompanied Reardon on Monday to begin perusing, then purchasing, for the holiday season.
“I don’t think people are buying less based on the economy - I’m spending less because I’m trying to pay for it all myself,” said Watkins, a supply chain management junior who bought gifts for her boyfriend, his parents and her brother Monday night.
At Best Buy, 2020 W. Grand River Ave. in Okemos, lines wrapped around the building as early as 6 a.m. Friday as consumers waited to buy up the cheap end of techno gadgets, such as $100 digital cameras.
“Any time they see something like that, that’s a good deal, they flock toward it,” Best Buy sales manager Jon Raborn said.
But good deals don’t end or begin at the mall or big name retail chains.
Option 2: Crafty creations
So you’re too broke for rampant commercialism. There’s rent, there’s Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwich Shop and it all takes its toll.
Luckily it’s not necessary to pump all hard-earned dough into deluxe gift items and state-of-the-art gadgets for the ones we love.
Just ask Lindsey LeMay, a crafty communication junior whose thoughtfulness outweighs most gifts’ monetary value. She crochets scarfs, makes memory books and collages and pieces together inexpensive gift baskets for family and friends.
This year, LeMay’s family opted to draw names and make each other gifts, and she’s full of ideas.
“There are things you can make, even if you’re not super creative, LeMay said. “At Kinko’s and Walgreens, you can have a calendar made up with your pictures. And my roommates were talking about making your own beer at a brewery if you’re old enough.”
LeMay said gift baskets can be pieced together quite cheaply as well.
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
“Actually, I found within the last year that the dollar store is the best place ever to put things together. Usually they have a bath carrier, and then there are different lotions and bubble baths. For $10 you can put baskets together.”
LeMay, the youngest in her family, said a little thought goes a long way.
“My family and my parents are at the point where they have everything. If it’s something they really want they get it themselves, so you run out of ideas. A lot of times they like the home made stuff because it’s something you’ve put thought into, that you know they don’t have.
“It’s a little more exciting to open up and have them know you were thinking of them when you made it.”
