Anyone who knows me would be shocked to find out the following about me: I do not go to any mall between Thanksgiving and New Years. Even when my children were much younger, and holiday shopping was more complex, I would finish all of my holiday shopping before Thanksgiving. My dislike of crowds is stronger than my love of shopping.

Last week my husband asked me to accompany him to the mall as he had to return something to the Apple Store. Being the good wife that I am, I very begrudgingly agreed. I was surprised that, when we arrived at the mall, the prime parking spots right near Nordstrom’s were available. As I was dragged past the Nordstrom’s shoe department I began to notice something strange; the mall was eerily quiet. As we walked through the mall I noticed that the only stores that appeared to have any noticeable crowds in them were the Apple Store (of course) and the Pandora Store. Even the food court was unnervingly empty.

As I waited for my husband in the Apple Store I wondered about the cause of this phenomena. I realized that this year, even though Hanukah fell Thanksgiving and I could have done my holiday shopping in the mall, I did all of my holiday shopping on line. It was much easier-and is some instances cheaper-to do my shopping while sitting in bedroom wearing my sweat pants.

How are you shopping this year?