Holiday shopping just isn't my bag

Everyone reaches a point in life where they recognize that life has simply passed them by. For me, that point arrived a few years back when I came across the top 20 songs in the nation and did not recognize even one.

The point struck home again this week when a major credit card company predicted that 75 percent of Christmas shopping will be done online this year through Internet purchases. Needless to say, I am not one of those 75 percent.

Here's the truth. I tried ordering online just one single time and that was last Christmas. To make a long story short, the gift - though ordered on Nov. 15 - arrived sometime in late January despite repeated phone calls, e-mails and frantic messages. Granted, it was my first foray into the world of Internet shopping but chances are, it will also be my last.

I normally despise large crowds but - just like my father - I do enjoy at least one trip to a mall just prior to Christmas to take part in the hustle and bustle of the season. But I'm easy. I am not a shopper, I am a buyer. Which is probably why many of my purchases are returned. If I wanted to shop, I would visit the store when the crowds are not present. Instead, I see something I like, I buy it. That's the reason I also stay away from clothing because you have to know size and color, etc. It's much easier with some electronic gizmo - one size fits all.

This Friday - known as "Black Friday" - is traditionally one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Not so this year because experts all agree that the Saturday just before Christmas will top the list.

But the crowds will still be bustling come Friday morning as shoppers either start or end their holiday shopping. It makes me wonder exactly what would happen if those other 75 percent of Internet shoppers hit the stores at the same time. It would be chaos!

But when all else fails and your imagination runs dry, there's always the handy-dandy gift card. Yes, it's a cop out. But it works!