A Little Bit About a Lot of Things

This holiday season has me feeling a little nostalgic. I was asked to participate in a campaign for Macy’s this year and it got me thinking back (WAY back) to when I was a kid and what shopping was like then. First, there was no Natick Collection. The Shopper’s World isn’t the one that you know now, although the old one was an outdoor mall too. I remember the OLD Natick Mall: getting our photos taken at Sears and having them made into necklaces, buying red pistachios from large barrels, going to the buffet (I can’t recall the name) with my grandparents and looking forward to the spinning dessert case. There was a store that pressed pictures onto t-shirts, I think my dad may still have one of them, and we always bought him one for his birthday or for the holidays (thanks for wearing the green rainbow sparkle shirt that I picked out dad!).

The OLD Shopper’s World was an outdoor mall with a cinema attached. Do you remember 5,7,9? Yup that was there. There was this stationary store on the top level in the corner near the theater where I would buy those troll dolls. At the holiday time the mall had these huge wooden toy soldiers (which you can still see around Framingham) and live reindeers. But maybe the most memorable thing about that mall was Jordan Marsh. Oh those blueberry muffins! Everyone claims to have the original recipe, but every time we try and make them, they just aren’t quite right, close but not the same. The store itself looked like a big flying saucer or a dome – I can remember when those hyper color shirts were in and I just HAD to have one. By the time we got there they only had one that was pink that changed to a darker shade of pink…so not cool, but I bought it anyway, just to have one.

Let’s fast forward. Jordan Marsh was converted into Macy’s and the Natick Collection is a sight to be seen. While I love to support local shops and makers whenever I can, sometimes (especially now that I have small children) it is just easier to go to a department store and do some one stop shopping. While holiday shopping I have good intentions of buying gifts for friends and family but usually end up seeing things I love and getting myself things instead.

I headed into Macy’s this past weekend and literally knocked off half of my holiday gift list. There is literally something for everyone:

For you: pick up that cute outfit you’ve been eyeing for your company holiday party (and don’t forget the shoes and something sparkly!)

For your bestie: grab her a Coach purse (that she will totally let you borrow)

For your coworker: some Godiva chocolates are always a crowd pleaser

For the techie in your life: a fashionable smart watch or those adorable cat headphones

For your mother in law: something Kate Spade for the home

For your mom: a Kitchenaid mini mixer in a cute color to match her kitchen

For your tween niece: MAC makeup is always a hit

For your siblings: some cozy pajamas (it’s supposed to be a COLD winter!!)

What are you buying at Macy’s this holiday season?

Disclaimer: I was invited to be a part of a blogger campaign for Macy’s. I was given a gift card in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own.

Tags: holiday, hosted, shopping