"... and You're Done!"

Something incredibly awesome happened this Christmas. I didn't win the lotto, didn't run a marathon and I definitely didn't learn how to make my cat behave. Nope this is even better ... I discovered ... Amazon!

Of course I didn't discover Amazon before anybody else. Come to find out a lot of people actually use Amazon but they don't talk about it much. It's like shop cheating! No walking, no crowds, no trying to find a parking space, no getting ripped-off, no lugging bags back to the car, no lugging bags into the house ... SHOP CHEATING! Not only do you not move from your laptop, but you actually get better deals. Like a whole lot better deals. It all started mid-November. I don't know what gave me the idea to go to the website. But as soon as the homepage for Amazon.com loaded I was hooked. So hooked that an entire afternoon was devoted to 'window' shopping through all the goodies Amazon.com had to offer. I couldn't wait to show my (semi-skeptical) better half. He grudgingly decided to take a look but as soon as he did he was hooked instantly as well. 'Type in this item' he said and we both watched in amazement as our previous gift ideas evaporated into thin air. I don't know why it took me so long to try Amazon.com. I've been on Facebook since March 25th 2007. I am on Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, Twitter etc and I pay my bills online.

I like to think of myself as technology-savvy, but there are some things I wont stop. Christmas Cards for example. And I have a ritual EVERY SINGLE Christmas that I send out Christmas Cards to friends and family around the world and I always send them out December 1st without fail!

And I've bought on-line before so 'shopping on-line' isn't a new thing for me. However as much as I do NOT enjoy the crowds, the finding a parking space, THE GETTING RIPPED OFF, nor the lugging of bags to the car AND into the house, I do enjoy making the effort to shop around to get the perfect gift ... and also 'physical' shopping is a great way to spend a weekday with a friend! Maybe now I can just shop* (go to an actual store, not cheat shopping) for myself from now on?? And I think that's why it's taken me so long to try Amazon.com. When you buy online there's no effort. Also you don't get to touch the item. You weigh up options only based on price or a tiny photo. You press a key on a keyboard and ta-da 'shopping finished'. Which is why I will always send out Christmas Cards. I want people to receive something that I actually wrote in, addressed to them and put a stamp on. I don't feel as guilty shopping online when I actually have to make an effort with my Christmas Cards. So even though Amazon.com had to make me re-evaluate my shopping morals, with immense excitement I am happy to say all of my Christmas shopping is complete! Now back to the Christmas Cards ....