Topic: Christmas Shopping

Before you shop, note 2007 ‘Worst Toys’

By Christine Anne Piesyk | November 21, 2007 |

With the annual march down the toy aisle about to begin, it’s time to think about the kinds of gifts we are about to purchase for children, and the messages some of those gifts send.

The Worst Toy list of 2007, issued by W.A.T.C.H. (World Against Toys Causing Harm) includes a special additional warning about Aqua Dots, a craft kits that retails for $17-$30 dollars but which has toxic components that if swallowed can induced serious illness and coma. Four million sets of Aqua Dots were recalled on November 7. The “dangerous toy” list includes the following items:

• Go Diego Go Rescue Boat (excessive lead content; no warning label)
• Sticky Stones (magnetic stones are a choking hazard but also can cause internal digestive track blockage; if more than one is swallowed, the can stick together internally and do serious damage
• Jack Sparrow’s Spinning Dagger (choking hazards and potential for eye injuries)

«Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Issues, News | No Comments

Black Friday: Consumed by consumerism

By Christine Anne Piesyk | November 19, 2007 |

“Black Friday” has traditionally been the start of the holiday retail season, a ghastly exercise in consumerism that has reached epic proportions, taking the focus off the Thanksgiving holiday and instead thrusting the spear of hefty ads sections to be perused during the Turkey day half-time shows.

All week I have been reading about stores launching pre-Thanksgiving Day sales, and “news” stories of 4 a.m. openings and expected lines of customers, steaming coffee in hand, snaking around buildings in long lines, queued up to vie for the best of the best bargains ASAP.

Sorry, folks. I don’t buy it. Or I should say, I already bought it, back in January, when the end of season sales happened. I shopped heartily and at my leisure, picking up great deals for as much as 80% off the lowest ticket price. I keep a covered bin handy in the back of my closet for such purchases; I find, buy, fold or package carefully and store. Comes in handy for occasional birthdays, “just because” gifts, extras for the grandchildren, and of course, Christmas giving. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Business, Opinion | No Comments

Downtown shops host “Open House”

November 18, 2007 |

Holiday shoppers can jumpstart the season with an afternoon of leisurely shopping in Historic Downtown Clarksville today, opting not to wait until the traditional post-Thanksgiving Day start of the Christmas shopping season.

Antique shops, clothing stores, jewelers, and numerous specialty shops will open their doors Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

The downtown shopping district offers a distinctly different shopping environment that the city’s malls and box stores, with exceptional personalized services and merchandise that is generally unique to the individual shops. Shoppers can also choose to break from shopping with refreshing stops at several local eateries in the downtown district.

Submitted by Paige King on behalf of the downtown merchants. 

Sections: Business, Events | No Comments