Christmas Sales

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

All shopped out. There's nothing I really want to buy. Need to buy a new ceramic hob at some stage but don't think they're too expensive, certainly not enough of a discount to get me to the shops today

RayM

No football, no hangover and no racing. I'm having a "watching Back to the Future, while making two selection boxes disappear" kinda day.

bee06

Wasn't planning on it but had a panic attack about my outfit for going out tonight so had to buy something new.

Discodog

I need to get a Sony camera in the next couple of weeks. It's in the Harvey Norman big sale Over €100 more that on Amazon & that isn't even a sale price :rolleyes:

mariaalice

RayM wrote: »

No football, no hangover and no racing. I'm having a "watching Back to the Future, while making two selection boxes disappear" kinda day.

Trow in a good walk as well you will fell better for it.

Clonmel1000

So it seems we've all got pity for the poor retail staff and use their plight as some defence for not doing shopping meanwhile no such pity exists for the pub/bookie employee cause we all want to go there and either gamble or piss our money away on a hangover. Makes sense....

murpho999

In all fairness you have to plan ahead as there only 364 days left till next Christmas.

KERSPLAT!

Clonmel1000 wrote: »

So it seems we've all got pity for the poor retail staff and use their plight as some defence for not doing shopping meanwhile no such pity exists for the pub/bookie employee cause we all want to go there and either gamble or piss our money away on a hangover. Makes sense....

Well the thread is about Christmas sales not the pub, I don't go shopping in pubs on Stephens Day either

dublinman1990

No; I would never shop on St Stephen's Day. Pure waste of time and money. I'm at home watching movies and some sports for today.

I read this little gem on Facebook via thejournal.ie comments section in an article about the Stephen's Day sales.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1492342234111132&id=161092283902807

Right Price Tiles & Wood Flooring are closed from the 20th of December right through to January 2nd. Great news for the staff getting time off for Christmas.

Lucyfur

I don't get the mad dash to go shopping today. Today is for cheese and sandwiches and wine and movies and pyjamas. Not for shopping.

Mint Sauce

A sleep in, the first in over a week, catch up with family, now watching James Bond and following the football. Pub and gig later.

Very last place I want to be is going around the shops.

Clonmel1000

KERSPLAT! wrote: »

Well the thread is about Christmas sales not the pub, I don't go shopping in pubs on Stephens Day either

I know but one of the reasons being put forward not to go shopping is to think of the staff in retail who have to work. In the same breath people are saying it's a day for the pub and bookies yet there's no faux outrage at them having to work.

KERSPLAT!

Clonmel1000 wrote: »

I know but one of the reasons being put forward not to go shopping is to think of the staff in retail who have to work. In the same breath people are saying it's a day for the pub and bookies yet there's no faux outrage at them having to work.

Fair enough. I'm in work too so to be honest, I wish everyone was off!

Clonmel1000

Clonmel1000 wrote: »

I know but one of the reasons being put forward not to go shopping is to think of the staff in retail who have to work. In the same breath people are saying it's a day for the pub and bookies yet there's no faux outrage at them having to work.

Shopping is not necessary and there is no need for shops to be opening today but betting and drinking are required with it being one of the biggest racing days of the year and a big night out also.

whoopsadoodles

Clonmel1000 wrote: »

I know but one of the reasons being put forward not to go shopping is to think of the staff in retail who have to work. In the same breath people are saying it's a day for the pub and bookies yet there's no faux outrage at them having to work.

As pointed out, some Next branches opened at 5am. That means that staff working in those shops couldn't even enjoy their Christmas night because they'd have to be in work at 4. That's not right, whatever way anyone tries to paint it.

Clonmel1000

whoopsadoodles wrote: »

As pointed out, some Next branches opened at 5am. That means that staff working in those shops couldn't even enjoy their Christmas night because they'd have to be in work at 4. That's not right, whatever way anyone tries to paint it.

I'm not trying to paint it as right I'm just pointing out the hypocrisy

learn_more

Wanderer78 wrote: »

More to life than buying crap

And what about pre christmas?

feardeas wrote: »

Don't know how anyone could face shops again on Stephen's Day. Also think it's very unfair on the staff, they've been ran off their feet and then back after one day.

I didn't do any shopping before Christmas and was glad to get out for an hour today to shake off the claustrophobia of yesterday.

Wanderer78 wrote: »

id have to agree with noam chomsky on this one, i.e. we are being told we live unfulfilled lives unless we consume. what a load of crap! spend some time with your families and friends instead. its far more important and worthwhile.

Don't get why people think that one must spend time with family and friends specifically on this day. Even so, wouldn't an evening be long enough to do such instead of the whole day.

fryup wrote: »

^^^^^^^^^^^

its the staff i feel sorry for, do they have any choice in the matter??

People who work in retail as in hospitality are well accustomed to working unsociable hours. Why should St. Stephens day be any different?
Additionally ppl who work in retail don't get paid very much and I'm sure a fair few of them would be glad of the extra pay.

mariaalice wrote: »

Trow in a good walk as well you will fell better for it.

I enjoyed my good walk around the shops today. About an hour and half. Which isn't much of a chunk out of the day, is it ?

Lucyfur wrote: »

I don't get the mad dash to go shopping today. Today is for cheese and sandwiches and wine and movies and pyjamas. Not for shopping.

A whole day indoors yesterday is quite enough of that sorta thing for a lot people, including myself.

Daisy78

Tis a day for reading/wine/open fire/heading out with the wren/racing.

Not shopping.

Clonmel1000

Daisy78 wrote: »

Tis a day for reading/wine/open fire/heading out with the wren/racing.

Not shopping.

Does anyone actually do any of the above today seriously?

Daisy78

Clonmel1000 wrote: »

Does anyone actually do any of the above today seriously?

Im doing the wine/fire/reading bit right now!

Im just home from working in a bookies all day.

I would love to go out tonight but I'm working again in the morning. Couldn't risk being over the limit. Only had a couple of drinks yesterday for exact same reason.

I'm also exhausted.

Olishi4

No I've never been shopping on Stephen's day.

Usually Stephen's day here is like a more relaxed version of Christmas Day. Not that Christmas day is a pressure but you know, you don't have to cook the turkey and ham and stuff.

Broken Hearted Road

For me St.Stephens day is an extension of Christmas day. A day to lounge about and do sweet fcuk all. It won't be long before things go back to normal being busy and running around from one end of the week to the next. I don't to disrupt this lazy/fun time. Getting loads of things done today - game playing, reading, and other hobbies.

About these St Stephens day sales, the majority of the comments here from people says they would be keeping away from the sales for today. Something came up on Facebook on the liberal.ie or some place about St. Stephen's day sales and the majority of the comments there has been on the same line as here. So who are these people who go out to the sales?

nice_guy80

Everything is about consumerism nowadays

Every day a chance to sell more stuff

Alf Veedersane

learn_more wrote: »

I didn't do any shopping before Christmas and was glad to get out for an hour today to shake off the claustrophobia of yesterday.

Don't get why people think that one must spend time with family and friends specifically on this day. Even so, wouldn't an evening be long enough to do such instead of the whole day.

By the same extension, you don't have to go to the shops to get out and have some time to yourself.

Tec Diver

Won't be going shopping myself. I find the older I get the less of a consumerist I am, and the more I can do without.
Like a previous poster said, there's a whole lot more to life.

Eoin

Clonmel1000

Broken Hearted Road wrote: »

For me St.Stephens day is an extension of Christmas day. A day to lounge about and do sweet fcuk all. It won't be long before things go back to normal being busy and running around from one end of the week to the next. I don't to disrupt this lazy/fun time. Getting loads of things done today - game playing, reading, and other hobbies.

About these St Stephens day sales, the majority of the comments here from people says they would be keeping away from the sales for today. Something came up on Facebook on the liberal.ie or some place about St. Stephen's day sales and the majority of the comments there has been on the same line as here. So who are these people who go out to the sales?

Well if people are posting about it on Facebook it's game over.

Widdershins

My kettle's just gone poof! so the fact that the same model's on sale is handy.

Alf Veedersane

Widdershins wrote: »

My kettle's just gone poof!

Did it decide it was a teapot?

learn_more

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

By the same extension, you don't have to go to the shops to get out and have some time to yourself.

Sure, I could have gone out walking in the gloomy weather, or gone bungee jumping maybe.

Widdershins

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Did it decide it was a teapot?

It decided it was a selfish bas***d when I needed tea.

MadYaker

I go clothes shopping once a year in the after christmas sales. Not on St Stephens Day tho becuase I like to relax a bit. It's like an extension of christmas day for me.

Alf Veedersane

learn_more wrote: »

Sure, I could have gone out walking in the gloomy weather, or gone bungee jumping maybe.

Or anything else.

Also, it wasn't that gloomy. Not even west of the Shannon.

Potential Underachiever

Work in retail myself, I was asked if I would work today, we had a choice, I'm glad of the extra cash, it wasn't actually that busy! I do appreciate all the sympathy in the thread though but it was cool so no need for it! Cheers.

hairyprincess

Broken Hearted Road wrote: »

For me St.Stephens day is an extension of Christmas day. A day to lounge about and do sweet fcuk all. It won't be long before things go back to normal being busy and running around from one end of the week to the next. I don't to disrupt this lazy/fun time. Getting loads of things done today - game playing, reading, and other hobbies.

About these St Stephens day sales, the majority of the comments here from people says they would be keeping away from the sales for today. Something came up on Facebook on the liberal.ie or some place about St. Stephen's day sales and the majority of the comments there has been on the same line as here. So who are these people who go out to the sales?

One of these people is me!

I was in the queue for the 6am opening of Next. It is a fantastic sale with bargains far too good to miss out. I can't afford to walk away from a 50% discount on kids clothing. And before anyone dives in and says that it's last seasons tat that nobody wants; it's not. It was the clothes that were full price in the lead up.

I was chatting up one staff member who told me that they started at 5.30, and that early morning shift of staff were finishing at midday. He was a young fella so delighted with the extra money. And they still had the full day ahead of them to laze around or spend time with family.

Personally speaking, I was home in bed at 8.30, up again at 11.30, spent a few hours with siblings, nieces and nephews and have been lazing and eating in front of the fire since. Oh and I took the dog for a walk. So pretty much the same day as the rest of ye, except with bargains!

Hopeful2016

dublinman1990 wrote: »

Right Price Tiles & Wood Flooring are closed from the 20th of December right through to January 2nd. Great news for the staff getting time off for Christmas.

What if the staff don't want all that time off but are forced to take it? That's a lot of annual leave or unpaid time off. What if you don't celebrate Christmas?

Not everyone wants all the days off that people here are insisting that they should be getting.

learn_more

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Or anything else.

Also, it wasn't that gloomy. Not even west of the Shannon.

Oh, I didn't realise you lived where I do. I've been caught out lying. How embarrassing. This day next year, if we have similar weather, I'll forgo a jaunt around the shops, and do a round on the golf course. Just to keep people happy safe in the knowledge that the shops are shut

Potential Underachiever wrote: »

Work in retail myself, I was asked if I would work today, we had a choice, I'm glad of the extra cash, it wasn't actually that busy! I do appreciate all the sympathy in the thread though but it was cool so no need for it! Cheers.

Do you realise your spoiling everyone's dreamy eyed idea of xmas lol

Cartouche

Whats Christmas without a dirty rush for the designer handbag sales in BT !!

RollieFingers

Next would have to pay me to queue outside their shop at 6am on Stephen's Day! You'd want your head checked!

Alf Veedersane

learn_more wrote: »

Oh, I didn't realise you lived where I do. I've been caught out lying. How embarrassing. This day next year, if we have similar weather, I'll forgo a jaunt around the shops, and do a round on the golf course.

Hurray. It might be better for escaping the claustrophobia of being indoors by being in the shops.

But it also may be a good walk spoiled.

learn_more

I live in a smallish town and I went down to the local petrol station at 9pm to get some milk. Beside the petrol station there is a drive through McDonalds. There was a tail back of about 15 cars. I laughed out loud. Very Christmasy.

AMKC

learn_more wrote: »

Sure, I could have gone out walking in the gloomy weather, or gone bungee jumping maybe.

Today was a beautiful winter spring day out it certainly was not gloomy. Was a lovely day for a walk.

As for the shopping today I did not go anywhere near the shops as every shop in the town I am in was closed and to go to the city would be a whole day gone. I will go check out the sales at some stage and hopefully get a few nice bargains but am in no hurry.

FizzleSticks

This post has been deleted.

Widdershins

hairyprincess wrote: »

One of these people is me!

I was in the queue for the 6am opening of Next. It is a fantastic sale with bargains far too good to miss out. I can't afford to walk away from a 50% discount on kids clothing. And before anyone dives in and says that it's last seasons tat that nobody wants; it's not. It was the clothes that were full price in the lead up.

I was chatting up one staff member who told me that they started at 5.30, and that early morning shift of staff were finishing at midday. He was a young fella so delighted with the extra money. And they still had the full day ahead of them to laze around or spend time with family.

Personally speaking, I was home in bed at 8.30, up again at 11.30, spent a few hours with siblings, nieces and nephews and have been lazing and eating in front of the fire since. Oh and I took the dog for a walk. So pretty much the same day as the rest of ye, except with bargains!

If it's something you need then it is a bargain.

Do kids clothes really have seasons and go out of fashion?

Cork Lass

hairyprincess wrote: »

One of these people is me!

I was in the queue for the 6am opening of Next. It is a fantastic sale with bargains far too good to miss out. I can't afford to walk away from a 50% discount on kids clothing. And before anyone dives in and says that it's last seasons tat that nobody wants; it's not. It was the clothes that were full price in the lead up.

I was chatting up one staff member who told me that they started at 5.30, and that early morning shift of staff were finishing at midday. He was a young fella so delighted with the extra money. And they still had the full day ahead of them to laze around or spend time with family.

Personally speaking, I was home in bed at 8.30, up again at 11.30, spent a few hours with siblings, nieces and nephews and have been lazing and eating in front of the fire since. Oh and I took the dog for a walk. So pretty much the same day as the rest of ye, except with bargains!

My daughter got a days work at the Next sale. She's 16 and was delighted to do it for the money but it did mean that I had to get up to drive her there for 5.45 am. Big queues at that time but to be fair Next do have a really good sale.

meeeeh

Last couple of years we went to panto in Gaiety with kids on St. Stephen's and I like that more than just being lazy around the house. Especially because Christmas eve tends to be very relaxed too. Anyway there were plenty of people out and while I can understand people shopping in sales I still find it utterly pathetic to queue in front of a shop to have first pick of stuff on sale.

With exception of grocery shopping and some unexpected stuff that's needed we do almost all shopping online. I find shopping centres especially depressing and avoid them most of time.

Cork Lass

Cork Lass wrote: »

My daughter got a days work at the Next sale. She's 16 and was delighted to do it for the money but it did mean that I had to get up to drive her there for 5.45 am. Big queues at that time but to be fair Next do have a really good sale.

Been there, done that 30 min drive @ 4.30am and I feel your pain! Lol

Pinch Flat

My own view is that if you're queueing at 5am on a st Stephens morning you've probably got to ask yourself what you're really doing there.

Can understand people looking for clothes, especially kids clothes, but is it really necessary? With other outlets to get clothes - sales are on virtually all year round, discounters like tk max and online, is it really necessary?

average_runner

Hopeful2016 wrote: »

What if the staff don't want all that time off but are forced to take it? That's a lot of annual leave or unpaid time off. What if you don't celebrate Christmas?

Not everyone wants all the days off that people here are insisting that they should be getting.

Get a different job so. Why should a business open where it won't have much business.

MilesMorales1

Nah. I used to go when I was a young un and we used to get gift vouchers and cash off various relatives, but these days I can't be arsed.