BSU students deal with Christmas fever differently

December is a month of
crowded stores

By
Jake Kelly and Zuzka Tomcikova

The smell of fresh trees, the little sparkling lights, and the decorations all around the house bring us a very calm and happy atmosphere. The smell of Christmas cookies, delicious food and the sound of laughter and cheerful music makes Christmas a favorite amongst holidays. Family is most important during this holiday. Presents have become a crucial part in the tradition of christmas and in light of that family members are always searching for the best gifts to give their loved ones.

Buying gifts is a hassle and as December rolls around, the stores change into  jungles. People are walking around malls, in a hurry and with a determined look on their face. The sound of a cash register comes from every store, the  christmas sale signs are put up almost everywhere, Christmas music is playing in the background.

The holiday season is coming around and everybody wants to get the best presents for their family and friends. They don’t want to miss any great gift ideas that the stores provide. Cost and originality is key in the purchasing decision of consumers. In Bemidji the store selection is very limited; the Paul Bunyan mall has a lot of shoppers rushing through. Brittany DeBoer, a worker at J. C. Penney hustles through the store, folding and organizing items in the store. “It gets really busy before Christmas,” DeBoer says. “But I don’t mind; the time passes by much faster at work, and the people are in a good mood when they find something they like, and that puts me in a good mood also.”

Some people think ahead and start the shopping earlier so they don’t feel rushed once it comes close to the holidays, because the shopping rush before Christmas might be stressful. Erika Wheelhouse, a BSU sophomore tries to handle the stress level by starting her Christmas list in November. “I start a list in mid-November, and I work through it as the days roll,” said Wheelhouse. “I try to get some presents early, so I don’t feel that pressured when there is only a week left till Christmas and the stores are full of people.”

There are many ways to brainstorm for Christmas gifts and many retail stores make sure that their deals are stuck in the shoppers head. Advertising signs are everywhere, and the televsion and radios are full of Christmas ads. The stores promote everything you can imagine, from electronics, clothing, jewelry, up to house hold appliances. “We are trying to give good deals to bring shoppers into our store,” said DeBoer. “Even if they come looking for a particular thing, most people purchase more and that’s what we like to see.”

The Internet has made a huge impact on the way shopping is done. It is an easy and comfortable way to purchase gifts with the luxury of being at home. Squeezing through other people to get the gifts you are looking for in the store is out of the picture. All Internet shopping requires is a credit card, and a computer connected to the Internet. Jeff Marin is one of the people who prefer to shop online. “I just turn the computer on and order stuff I want,” said Marin. “Most of the time it’s even cheaper than going to the store, and everything I order comes to me.”

Although shopping online is comfortable and in many cases more affordable, most people still prefer to get their gifts in the stores.  “Christmas shopping has a different atmosphere, the snow is on the ground, the lights are twinkling, and it just feels like you’re in a fairytale,” said BSU junior Alana McElhinney. Some people ignore the stress factor and simply enjoy the fact that they are trying to purchase something that will make their friends and family happy. Walking around stores is also a way to brainstorm. “Sometimes I just go shopping without a clue,” said McElhinney. “I find stuff just walking around, and that makes it more fun.”

No matter if people look for gifts online or in the store, the main idea behind the gifts is to make the loved ones happy with the presents. The smile on the face of the loved ones is always brought by the look under the Christmas tree. Especially children have a sparkle in their eyes running down the stairs Christmas day, seeing that Santa has brought gifts. Seeing the joy of children ripping the wrapping paper, and hearing the excitement makes up for all the hours spend searching for the gift. “Even though I hate Christmas shopping, seeing my little cousins open the presents makes up for it immediately,” said BSU junior, Jeffrey Johnson.