A Christmas tradition worth its weight in gold--and so much more

Our first group shopping weekend December 1999

Dec. 17, 2024 Christmas traditions are just one of the many ways to help keep the holiday spirit bright.

In Chicago, it could be visiting the Walnut Room at Macy’s (To me it’s always going to be the Walnut Room at Marshall Fields), watching some of the well-known Christmas movies set in Chicagoland—like Home Alone, The Santa Clause, and Christmas Vacation, strolling down the Magnificent Mile for the Lights Festival or enjoying the magic at the Lincoln Park Zoolights. It’s also a beloved tradition to take in the city’s huge Christmas tree or go ice skating at Millennium Park with panoramic views of “The Bean.”

And of course, go shopping in and around the city.

Funny thing, even though I was living in the Chicago area, I did my shopping in a neighboring state. It was an annual weekend with a dear friend. We’d do our Christmas shopping and wrapping, enjoy some great meals and a whole lot of laughs. It was a great tradition we had just started. We were looking forward to doing this for many years. But then she got sick.  Some other friends who knew of this tradition and about my friend’s terminal illness offered to go and help continue the shopping tradition.

That first year (it was December 1999) four of us piled into my minivan and headed out to my home in Michigan. That number eventually grew.

Friday nights were reserved for a quick trip to Meijer to get wrapping supplies and pick up a few gifts on our lists. Oh yeah, and for some reason we got a ham. I can’t remember exactly why but I think Meijer was giving away hams with a certain purchase amount. Obviously we spent enough because we got one. And I admit it was good!

Saturday mornings were breakfast at the Stop In right near my home—we had to make sure we had a good meal to give us plenty of energy for the day. Our waitress, Carol, always seemed to be working when we were there and you could tell she loved having our group come in for a meal. She even took group photos of us.  

Entertaining customers at Stop In Carol, our fave server at Stop In Stop In Restaurant, Barron Lake

Once our bellies were full, we were off to University Mall in Mishawaka, Indiana, to fill bags and then the car with those bags. We’d either shop together or split up and meet back at a designated time so we could head out to other stores in the area. There are tons of stores in this area. We had so many laughs and found so many bargains. And the variety of shops made it easy to check gifts off our lists

Dicks Sporting Goods in Mishawaka, Indiana. "There are no Dicks in Chicago." But now there are. :) Taking a sweet break!

Rockin' it out in Mishawaka, Indiana . Does this match my sweater? I shopped till I dropped.

Wigging out at University Mall Meijers in Mishawaka, Indiana Oooh--I like this chair!

 Photos were a must. We’d make sure to stop by the Santa booth to have a picture taken with the jolly man. And we’d take photos of us in the stores with friendly cashiers, alongside other shoppers we met and talked to, outside the stores surrounded by Christmas decorations, at the restaurants with or without our servers, and then of the piles and piles of bags back at the house.

Downtown Niles, Michigan Display at Big Lots in Niles, Michigan Kirklands in Mishawaka, Indiana

By evening, we were ready for dinner. Of course, all that running around during the day built up our appetites. Sometimes we got a burger and milkshake at Steak ‘n Shake, sometimes we were in the mood for Mexican. Wherever we ate, we continued the chatter and the laughter. And we’d often hear comments from other diners who said it looked like we were having so much fun. They were right. We were.

Told the staff it was her birthday. (Oops, my bad. It wasn't) Best burgers and shakes!

Striking a pose at Chili's in Mishawaka, Indiana

Fun with another customer. Loving the voice of the singing bear. Who doesn't want M & M pants?

Then it was back to my house to let the wrapping begin. First, though, we all got into our festive pajamas and emptied our bags in our designated “wrapping spots.” Some of the ladies were meticulous about their wrapping—then there was me who couldn’t do a good, tight corner if my life depended on it. Thank goodness for tissue and gift bags. (And for Pam who loved to wrap and would make sure my packages looked just right.)  We’d spend hours taking on the task of getting everything wrapped. Of course, there were plenty of snacks, wine and then we’d watch Love Actually. (I still watch that movie every year.) More laughs and more photos.  And we’d share with each other the gifts we found complete with “ogling” and “ah-ing” over what great finds they were.

I sure hope he likes this! Wow--we did some serious shopping!

Trying out the new massager Wrapping and watching Love Actually

Sundays were filled with last-minute stops at stores we didn’t get to on Saturday. And always a stop at Big Lots. It’s amazing the great and quirky items we found there. They usually had a large blow-up Santa on display and of course we’d stop to take a photo with him. We’d manage to find an employee gracious enough to get a group shot for us—even after she might have been shaking her head because we could be heard throughout the store laughing up and down the aisles taking photos on the furniture, workout equipment or just holding something interesting in our hands—like risqué-looking clothing!

The number of us attending each year was growing and there were a few years we had seven—Sue, Cheryl, Nancy, Pam, Elise, Sandy and me. Those were the years we had to have two drivers. The tradition continued for many years and each year was so fun—like we were doing it for the first time again. How awesome it was, too, that we came home with gifts all wrapped and ready to be presented on Christmas morning.

As the years went on, many of the “children” we were buying for were married and having families of their own. Other obligations started take priority—as family events should be at the top of the list—and soon we were no longer doing our “Shop ‘til you Drop” weekends.

But it wasn’t just me who cherished those weekends.

“Shopping, laughing, eating, maybe some drinking, shopping, more laughing, all with the best girlfriends!!!  What more can a girl want ?!”  Pam S.

“To me it meant spending time with wonderful friends and creating beautiful lifelong memories. The shopping was fun, but the lasting friendships and fun times meant the most to me.  When I hang my shopping ornaments on our tree it always brings a smile to my face.  Breakfast at the Stop Inn and trips to Big Lots were always a bright spot.  Of course, the wonderful accommodations were outstanding too.”  Nancy B.

“I always looked forward to our shopping trip. From Friday night when we arrived until Sunday when we left we were always laughing. Every minute was a blast, but my favorite time would have to be on Saturday night when we put a movie in and wrapped the presents we had purchased. I will always treasure those times with such a friendly and wonderful group of women.” Cheryl B.

“Truly a break during a busy time for body and soul. Bingeing on chunks of ham and bags of Twizzlers, Stop Inn breakfasts and watching movies in our pjs and wrapping. All this in the comforting environment of good friends sharing time. Priceless!” Elise E.

“Bless you beautiful women! I was happy to be invited and loved being together for the friendship… and of course the food!” Sue A.

“For me……..you were all my life raft. Those early years were so hard for me to get into the holiday spirit. You all got me there. I cannot tell you how much those trips meant to me. The laughter - the binge eating - staying up late wrapping gifts - fun pictures - sharing stories - shopping till our legs (and backs) ached - and our all-time tradition of watching LOVE ACTUALLY. The memories are priceless.”   Sandy O.

Those truly were some of the best weekends. I’ve never forgotten my first trips with my dear friend, Lily, whom we lost way too young. But I hope these other awesome ladies, who are wonderful friends to this day, realize the good it did my heart to continue with that tradition.

All but one (she was a volleyball mom) are ladies I met through our sons’ soccer teams, so we honestly really were “soccer moms.” Then for one weekend a year, I suppose you could say we were “Santa soccer moms.” Or, you could say, “Santa vball/soccer moms.”

I miss those weekends and really hope someday we do it again. I guess then we’d be the

“Senior Santa vball/soccer moms.” 

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the new year!

Take it one day—and one tradition—at a time…..

Read another about Christmas!