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Friday, Nov. 06, 2009

Let the Christmas shopping begin

It’s that time of year.

Retailers are waiting, children are wishing and I’m making the same false promise to myself I make every year: I will get my shopping done early.

It blows my mind that there are people who already have finished their Christmas shopping. Some probably finished months ago.

That, to me, is almost as much of a miracle as the day itself.

Well, not really, but it’s quite impressive.

I should have learned how to do this from my mother. We’d be in a department store in June or July and something would catch her eye. The price had to be right and she’d pick it up and say, “This would be the perfect Christmas gift for... .”

She’d buy it and I’d be mystified at how someone could even be thinking about Christmas shopping in the summertime.

In a family with eight children, I guess she had to start early.

One of my issues with shopping so early is I always get so excited about the gift I buy for someone and I want to give it to them as soon as possible.

Is it true that some people actually start Christmas shopping the day after Christmas?

That’s amazing.

Anyone who does that has it all figured out. For them, every day really is Christmas.

This year, I’m going to try something different. I’m going to commit to do most of my shopping in downtown Macon. I think I can do it.

Strolling in downtown might be a little more pleasant than strolling in a big box parking lot.

And I’m sure I’ll drop some coin at The Shoppes at River Crossing, as well. It should be a pleasant shopping experience there with the Bose speakers placed throughout the center playing holiday music.

And Santa, if you are out there, I’ve been good. Please buy me some clothes from my new favorite store — Jack & Coat Men’s Clothiers on downtown Macon’s Cherry Street. If you haven’t been to this store and you’re a fan of men’s fashion, you have to check this place out.

From the clothes to the design of the store to its friendly service, this is the type of business downtown Macon needs more of. Ladies, you want to see your boyfriend or hubby happy on Christmas and have him looking smooth for the family gathering? Check this store out. Thank me later.

Most of the clothes are trendy, but I don’t mind that.

Which brings me to another of my favorite shops, Bowen Brothers Clothiers on the bottom floor of the Wachovia Bank building downtown.

There’s nothing trendy about the inventory in this store. Just timeless classics. Quality, intelligent clothing.

I’m in the spirit already. Let the shopping begin.

Harold Goodridge is the business editor at The Telegraph. To contact him, call 744-4382 or e-mail him at hgoodridge@macon.com.