About Me

I know the frustration of trying to find a gift for somebody who seems to have everything. What finally helped me take the angst out of gift buying was starting to think outside the box. Since then, it seems to be easier to find something that my loved one will like, whatever the occasion. These days, I look in unusual places for gift ideas. Instead of retail shops, I see what is happening at local auction houses. I may look into getting my loved one something they've expressed an interest in recently, like taking guitar lessons. I may even surprise my friend with a visit from a chef who prepares a special meal just for him or her. If you have the gift buying blues, let me help. I'll provide some tips on how to get clues for wonderful presents that will delight and amaze your loved ones.

Gift Buying: Thinking Outside the Box

Three Shopping Center Services To Use During A Long Day Of Shopping

20 October 2020

Peggy Lee

While the design of many shopping centers means that it's easy to quickly run in and grab something that you need, many people enjoy spending long periods at the mall. Whether you're holiday shopping or you're simply getting together with a few friends and browsing a bunch of stores, it's easy to spend several hours at a shopping center. What you might not realize is that many shopping centers have a number of features that can enhance your visit—especially when the visit is lengthy. Here are three services that you should check out the next time you are at a shopping center.

Coat Check

If the weather outside is cool enough that you need to wear a jacket, you might not like the idea of wearing it during the entirety of your mall visit. Doing so can quickly make you feel hot, and large winter jackets can add bulk to your body that can make it challenging to navigate your way around some stores. Leaving the jacket in your vehicle is an option, but doing so requires you to run across the chilly parking lot. Instead, visit your shopping center's guest services office to see if you can check your coat. Many malls offer this service, much like high-end restaurants and theaters.

Cellphone Charging

A lot of people use their cellphones frequently while they're at the mall. You might text back and forth with your friends if you split up for a while, browse the apps of some stores, and check your shopping list. This use can cause your phone's battery to run low, which can be a concern. Many shopping malls have cellphone charging stations. The design of these stations can vary from mall to mall. Sometimes, you'll stand next to your phone while it charges. In other scenarios, you can securely lock your phone in a compartment and return to retrieve it later.

Gift Wrapping

If you're going to spend a long day at the mall in advance of the holidays, you'll likely be buying a lot of gifts for family and friends. It can be daunting to take a carload of gifts home and know that you need to wrap them all. Another service to think about using is the mall's gift-wrapping service. You can drop a handful of gifts off at this kiosk and return later on to pick them up after someone has professionally wrapped them—thus saving you the time and effort at home.

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