Holiday’s Madness
by Logan Steele · Leave a Comment
What is it about the holiday season that drives the general public into such a miserable state of inconsiderateness? Isn’t this the time of year that we are supposed to be kind to our fellow man? So why is it that it seems to have the opposite effect on many? Go into any mall, supermarket outlet or warehouse retailer and see for yourself what a war zone our once civil society has become. The joy of the holidays has officially left the building and has been replaced by, well to be frank, a bunch of dicks. With all the pushing, butting in front of and snatching items from others, and a general disregard for all that is polite and decent, it’s a mystery why November and December doesn’t have a higher holiday-related murder rate. Is this what we have to look forward to, each and every year? At this stage I think we ought to ban the holidays all together and save ourselves the turmoil! Surely I can’t be the only one that feels this way?
I realize that this has been a problem since the dawn of commercialism. And let’s face it, this subject matter has been addressed by many others before myself. But that being said, it still does not provide us with any resolution to this ongoing annual bedlam. People just seem to lose their minds the minute the first strings of decorative lights are placed on our public streets, and the madness doesn’t subside until they are removed again in January. Now, I realize that this is a very stressful time for many and the pressures of the seasonal rush can prove to be overwhelming. So that being the case, allow me to suggest alternatives to physically entering a mall during this chaotic time. Once again, I know that these alternatives are nothing new, but I am hoping that, by reminding you that they do exist, it will, in turn, result in fewer pissed-off customers out there in the battle field.
1. Start your shopping early – It has been an idea kicking around for decades that we should pay serious attention to. Really guys, there is nothing wrong with stockpiling and storing gifts from January (when everything is on sale anyway). With a little good taste your potential recipient should have no suspicion that that gift they have received had been sitting in your closet since the previous Boxing Day Blowout. Just stay away from most gift baskets, edible goods and any trendy holiday “it” items. If it is hot this year, buyer beware. Having said that, this tactic should eliminate most mall outings during the holidays. Remember, there is nothing wrong with all-year holiday shopping.
2. Shop Online – It is out there for a reason. Embrace technology and the convenience of our modern advancements! You literally don’t have to move a muscle besides your wrist and ring finger. And with a little planning you can cover the majority of your list within a week. Many of your favourite department stores and retailers offer this option, so take advantage of it. Just try to start your online shopping a bit earlier so as to guarantee your gift’s arrival before it is needed. You’re going to rack up that credit card balance anyway, so why not do it in the comfort of your own home? And, as an added bonus, online items also qualify for many of the sales that are offered in-store and are sometimes even subject to special online exclusive offers. I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty sweet to me.
3. Purchase Mall-wide Gift Cards – I know, it seems very impersonal giving gift cards as opposed to an actual physical gift, but believe me, it is appreciated more than you might think. In the case of a Mall Gift Card, it allows the recipient to purchase an item from any store within the entire mall, at their convenience. More importantly, it will take you next to no time to purchase it yourself. It can normally be found at any major mall’s Customer Service Desk and takes literally a couple of minutes. You’ll be in and out before you know it. Have I mentioned it is very fast? Just try not to leave it until the last possible minute or its advantages may backfire on you–meaning that gift cards are the alternate choice for almost all Christmas Eve shoppers.
This time of year does not have to be such a traumatic experience. There was once a time when we looked forward to the holidays, as opposed to praying for them to end. Remember, they are just gifts, people, and are intended to bring some degree of happiness to someone deserving of them. If that gift is bringing more trouble than it’s worth, then maybe it’s time that you rethink your decision. We all have our share of issues this time of year so let’s try to be a bit more courteous to one another. And, just to close: get over it and enjoy yourself! It is supposed to a happy time of year; we have the entire winter to be miserable. You’re going to feel horrible when January rolls around and you realize that you missed the good part of this cold season. Happy Holidays!!!
Toronto Eaton Centre – Pro’s and Con’s
by Logan Steele · Leave a Comment
My fellow Torontonians, I pose a question to you:
When did we begin to fall out of love with our beloved Eaton Centre?
Time after time when I bring up or mention having to go into this historic landmark to others, I am often confronted by the response of apprehension, condolence and over all dismissal. Now I realize this opinion is not shared by all, it does seem to be an attitude generally shared by those of us who dwell in and around the city’s core. While the citizen’s of our surrounding areas bare no qualms with frequenting this two block megaplex. The city’s inhabitants seem sooner to embrace dis-association.
For example invite your local trendy Queen St. sinister to the mall’s confines and you can all but guarantee a response of bafflement to why you feel this to be the course of retail therapy. Our Annex and College St. residents would seem sooner fit to go without the convenience of this one-stop centre than to grace its doorstep. And, don’t even think of bringing up the subject to our Bloor and Yorkville elite or face the consequence of banishment and ridicule just by the mere suggestion.
So, I am still left with the question of: Why?
As a first generation Canadian, as I am sure there are a lot of us out there. When did we grow so cold to the notion of the mall and all its hundred plus store inhabitants? Certainly our parents didn’t share this jaded point of view and welcomed the fact that they could buy both a three pack of gym socks and a cassette player all within the same structure. As a child the very mention of visiting Toronto’s capital of consumerism, would bring never-ending joy and excitement. And, would force you to get ready at almost lightning speed in the fear that your outing my get curtailed. So why now have we developed this love – hate relationship? We seem to love the the idea of having it around but, yet hate to go inside.
Have we grown so distant from the very centre we used to frequent as children, adolescents and young adults? What exactly has this mall done to us that has changed our views of it, so dramatically? So, in the effort of preserving this soured connection I propose this; a list of both Pro’s and Con’s for shopping at our world famous Eaton Centre. So that we can once and for all, lay our cards on the table. And, hopefully, finally rekindle or dissolve this life long kinship we have, with the once, largest shopping centre of Canada.
Now, let me start by saying I don’t really hate going to the Eaton Centre. I, like many others, am simply just not a “mall person”. I think that the feeling of reluctance I have towards the T.E.C could be extended to any malls, plaza or strip mall, believe me its nothing personal. However; I don’t think I will ever come upon the proper wording for how I feel, until I investigate further on why this particular mall brings such mixed emotions. For those of you who sympathize with my dilemma, this one is for you.
On with the list:
Pro – It is a one stop destination centre.
Con – It is often overly crowded and provides the ambiance of a herding ranch.
Pro – It is easily accessible by public transit.
Con – It is often frequented by society’s riff-raff and delinquents.
Pro – Being deemed as a tourist attraction, it is opened on holidays.
Con – Being deemed as a tourist attraction, it is opened on holidays. (this is for all the mall’s employees that have to show up to work on New Year’s day after the night of debauchery before, I feel for you.)
Pro – It is located in the heart of the city
Con – It is a point of contention to those who drive
Pro – It hosts a large selection of recognizable retailers.
Con – I really can’t find any problem with this point, let’s skip it.
I think that this is a good start. However; why should I be the only voice on this matter? At this point I would like to invite you, our readers, to contribute your own Pro’s and Con’s to our list. It is, after all, your mall as well. I think in conclusion a large part of our problem with the Eaton Centre is that we view it as a place of burden. And, we dread the moments that we have to go within it to achieve whatever shopping task that faces us. If we can merely start viewing it again as a place of practicality and easy solutions, I feel we may be on the right path of reconciliation. I urge you to not let the love die and remember the good times. Every relationship requires a period of adjustment, just how much are you willing to bend? It may be time to start fresh again.
Toronto Eaton Centre | 220 Yonge St.| (416) 598 – 8560
Hours:Mon-Fri 10– 9, Sat 9:30–7, Sun 12– 6
http://www.torontoeatoncentre.com
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Shopping at Sherway Gardens Toronto
by Logan Steele · Leave a Comment
Let me start by saying that; I am not a mall guy. They are often over-crowded, highly intense and predictable. If you don’t agree, give it about a couple weeks when the Holiday season gets going and see how you feel then. The looks on people’s faces, the poor men being dragged in and out of every major retailer, just waiting for the opportunity to sit down to present itself. The look of sheer warrior instinct as the women position themselves to get that coveted item, by any mean necessary. It haunts me in my sleep. Thank God, It only comes once a year. I’m getting a little off track. My point is that it does not have to be that way and that not all malls are that bad. Take for example Sherway Gardens.
It is as if someone took a small piece of Bloor and Yorkville sprinkled in a touch of Yonge and Eglington and shipped it to the outskirts of the city core. This mall has all your reliable staples; Holt Renfrew, Sporting Life, Harry Rosen etc. It is for those of you who don’t necessarily want to travel downtown, just to get something from Lacoste. Ladies you know what I’m talking about. My only complaint is that the store layout is built like the hedge maze from “The Shining”. I get lost in there, every time! But, it is clean, there is ample seating for our less enthusiastic male shoppers who can take refuge in a leather club chair and it (for the most part) is riff-raff free. This is my type of mall. Oh, and P.S. men, you have to check out a store by the name of Long Island in there, my gift to you. Enjoy your experience!
Sherway Gardens | 25 The West Mall | (416) 621-1070
Hours: Mon – Fri 10–9, Sat 9:30–6, Sun 11-5
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