Last weekend I told you it was shopping weekend! As I said then, my sisters and I go on a Christmas shopping trip every year in the beginning of November. We've been doing this for at least 30 years. When our kids were little the packages were bigger with purchases like Fisher Price toys. As they got older the packages got smaller and now with the ability to shop online we don't spend as much time in the stores. However, we've always enjoyed this time together and it's good to get lots done before the Christmas rush begins so we want to keep it up.
We shop in our own area so if anything needs to be returned, it's easy.
I have two sisters; Terri and Cheri. This year Terri was in Hawaii so it was just Cheri and I shopping.
(On a side notes, several of you asked about our rhyming names; Mari, Terri, Cheri. Yes, they do rhyme. However, our parents didn't set out to do that. Our real names are Maribeth, Terri and Cheryl. We also have a brother named Duane, so he really doesn't rhyme!)
We started off visiting several stores that were closest to us, and then it was time for lunch.
We had a few more stops to make and then it was time to head to the hotel. By this time, we were tired with sore legs!
Here's the back of my car at the hotel - quite a few bags!
We checked into the hotel and those lists came back out. So did our computers where we ordered the things we were getting online.
The next morning we went to a big craft show and then to a town about 45 minutes from us. It's always a fun place to visit, especially this time of year, plus it has some really great shops.
A charming town - reminds me of a Hallmark movie!
By 1:30 we were back home, unloading the car and getting everything put away. Soon it'll be time to wrap things. I think I have all my shopping done!
Hi Mari! What a wonderful and fun weekend with your sister! I love that you are all so close. Yes, it is good to have Christmas shopping done. Thanks for the email you sent me last week. I appreciate your kind words! Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteDear Mari, you and Cheri both look great! I love the hardwood floors in that store! Your lasagna looks great! Your photos are beautiful and I love the train! Thank you so much for sharing, dear friend!
ReplyDeleteYour last photo with the little train and fall trees is stunning! Like a fairy tale town. You two look alike. The stores here have been unusually busy as well. And now I know the rhyming mystery!
ReplyDeleteYou are so blessed to have a sister to do all this fun with. I am happy for you.
ReplyDeleteHi Mari, that nice how you have a shopping tradition with your sisters. I haven't seen my family since August. We will meet up at a baby shower next Sunday. Your salads look good. I like Panera. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI love to see photos of your country, thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou shopping trip was a success once again. Good food, fun and sisterly love. Which town were you in? Janice
ReplyDeleteYou did a good job! And it’s nice for you to be with one of your sisters.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a fun time, as well as a wonderful tradition. We have three more small gifts to purchase and we will be finished with our shopping as well. I'm hoping to do the wrapping this week and start writing out our Christmas cards.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great trip, Mari. Wondering, are you getting any of that snow? Wishing you a lovely day my friend.
ReplyDeleteYour sister's shopping trip sound like so much fun! What a great tradition! I love that your names rhyme accidentally.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely! 🎄✨ That town truly sounds like something straight out of a Hallmark movie — cozy, festive, and full of charm. It must’ve felt so nice to get everything done and head home to relax. Now comes the fun part — wrapping gifts and soaking in that holiday spirit! 🎁💖
ReplyDeletenanajee.com
For flights and hotel search
I know the 3rd sister missed being there with you, and I would love to do this if I had a sister.. you are blessed to have your sisters..
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun weekend! It's great that you have your shopping done. I usually do all my shopping online these days and my goal is to have everything ordered before Halloween - I made it again this year. That little town definitely looks like something out of a Hallmark movie, it's so cute! Thanks for sharing your shopping weekend with us. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteWow !!!! You amaze me...your shopping is all done... you go girl!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun time you had with your sister. Love that you had a plan and got so many things done in a short amount of time.
That town really does look like a Hallmark movie. Love the cute little train.
Sue
What a fun weekend and your shopping is done. I love cute Hallmark towns, especially this time of year.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun you had! I envy your relationship with your sisters. I have 2 but we have no relationship at all. We are so very different.
ReplyDeleteCathy
Hi Mari, it's been awhile so you may not remember me, but you and I used to comment to each other back when I had a blog, I used to "date" my grandchildren before yours were born! :) My grandchildren are all between 16-23 years of age now, so most of our dates are over now! But...I wanted to comment that I used to go on a shopping trip out of town too, very fun to do! I also took all my wrapping paper, bows, etc. and we would put on a Christmas movie in the hotel and wrap all our gifts there so we brought everything home in finished form!
ReplyDeleteSo nice that you all get together each year and go shopping together.
ReplyDeleteGreat that you have all your shopping done. We don't really buy any Christmas gifts. I usually just make a little something or bake.
I am always amazed at how organized you are with your shopping! I know how good it feels to be finished with the shopping. I don't do that much shopping anymore. I do miss it. My biggest holiday project is to get my cards done and in the mail. Thanks for sharing the fun with us! Those shops look amazing! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteOh, that looks like such a fun time together! What a wonderful tradition! It's too bad your other sister couldn't be with you, but I guess a trip to Hawaii is pretty special too! I love that you actually go and stay in a hotel and get lots of shopping and visiting done. That little town with the little train looks like such a neat place! Thank you for sharing this with us. That would really be such a fun time. I might even enjoy shopping more if I could do something like that! LOL.
ReplyDeleteSounds a very successful trip and well done on getting all your shopping done.
ReplyDeleteI do like that cute little train :)
All the best Jan
This is a wonderful tradition with your sisters. I have become a terrible shopper as I age. I do a lot online.
ReplyDeleteThis tradition is so awesome! Quality time with your sisters and so productive too. I've been ahead the game this year too - always a wonderful feeling. I love that your names happen to rhyme. I think thats so cute. :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Sounds like a fun day you had. I think that going shopping in person is a tradition that needs to be brought back. Human connection shouldn't be so rare nowadays.
ReplyDeleteYou're so smart to do your Christmas shopping in time. I don't like the rush at the last moment. And such a lovely tradition you have with your sisters, to do you christmas shopping together.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I saw the apples I knew where you were eating. LOVE that little train that rides through and how cool that you girls do this each year. Very, very fun. Hope your other sister gets to join in next year. Bonus points that you're done with gift buying. So nice to have that done and dusted.
ReplyDeleteHow fun! I am envious of you having your shopping done already! I can't think past Thanksgiving for the moment! What little town were you talking about?
ReplyDeleteLove that little train. Can people ride on it?
ReplyDeleteI love your traditions with your sister(s). You girls have Christmas shopping down to an art!
ReplyDeleteYou are so good! My girls haven't even given me a list yet this year. It was so much easier when Santa brought the gifts. Those lists were sent to him in August!! Haha! I was wondering about your names just about the time you popped up to explain. So funny! Glad you had fun!
ReplyDeleteYou got it done! Yay! I am almost there, gaining ground every day. I am determined to have the tree up and everything wrapped by Thanksgiving, so that I can enjoy the shortish Christmas season by making treats to give to neighbors and friends, and just being calm. That little town with the train is so precious! My little grandsons would love that! You and Cheri know how to take care of business and have a good time too! xoxo 🏴☠️
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun thing to do with a sister! I love your tradition! I must say I remember pictures of a much fuller car, hahaha!
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