[Danielle G.]

Holiday Shopping​

Do you enjoy holiday shopping? There’s definitely something exhilarating about grabbing an item you once dreamed of having, especially those bought from classic department stores like David Jones and Mark Foy’s. This whimsical photo inspired by the movie Ladies In Black makes me want to head out right now to shop. What’s your fondest memory out shopping? Share them here.

Image Source: Australia Remember When Facebook / Andrew Heslop

 

[Mindygirl12022]

Going to town with my Mother for her once a year visit to the big shops. We'd get the tram to the Valley to look at the shops there. McWhirters was a special place then, so we walked around there, and she shopped for anything she needed. We would get the tram up to Adelaide Street, look in David Jones's beautifully decorated shop where she maywith buy what she wanted. Then it was on to Penney's department store and upstairs to the Cafeteria. This was my special treat (for her also I suspect). You could get sandwiches, pies and veg, all sorts of ordinary meals. Then tired out she would drop me at the Carlton Theatrette in Queen Street where my Aunty Marie was an usher. She would let my Aunty take me down the stairs to a darkened theatrette where they had old black and white detective stories, and Mum would go off for a while on her own for a while and Marie would keep an eye on me till she came back. It usually involved an ice cream in a cone. I would sit happily and lick away enjoying but not really understanding the stories on the screen. With Mum back, she would thank Aunty Marie, and we'd go to Adelaide Street to catch the tram back to Ashgrove and home.

 

[deni67]

Going to town with my Mother for her once a year visit to the big shops. We'd get the tram to the Valley to look at the shops there. McWhirters was a special place then, so we walked around there, and she shopped for anything she needed. We would get the tram up to Adelaide Street, look in David Jones's beautifully decorated shop where she maywith buy what she wanted. Then it was on to Penney's department store and upstairs to the Cafeteria. This was my special treat (for her also I suspect). You could get sandwiches, pies and veg, all sorts of ordinary meals. Then tired out she would drop me at the Carlton Theatrette in Queen Street where my Aunty Marie was an usher. She would let my Aunty take me down the stairs to a darkened theatrette where they had old black and white detective stories, and Mum would go off for a while on her own for a while and Marie would keep an eye on me till she came back. It usually involved an ice cream in a cone. I would sit happily and lick away enjoying but not really understanding the stories on the screen. With Mum back, she would thank Aunty Marie, and we'd go to Adelaide Street to catch the tram back to Ashgrove and home.

What wonderful memories you have.

 

[deni67]

My favourite shopping memories were with my mother as a child, she spent more time fawning over my brothers, as a lot of English mums did back in the day, so getting to spend one on one time with her was wonderful. I loved our Saturday morning shops at the local centre, we would walk there and spend hours window shopping cultimating in a nice lunch at the Myers cafeteria.
She was a constant embarrassment though as she was loud and proud, one day her knicker elastic broke so she calmly picked them up and put them in her bag, another time she started singing at the top of her voice when she saw one of her friends across the pathway, they were both members of an operatic society, I just kept on walking and tried to pretend I wasn't with her.
My most embarrassing moment with her was when I was in hospital having just had my tonsils out at 16.
My stepfather ran into my room to warn me but he didn't need to, I could hear her coming, there were bang crashing noises as something was knocking things to the floor and I instantly knew it was my mother.
She walked into the ward and as I was furthest from the door she politely waved to the other patients there.
Why was this embarrassing you might wonder.
It was because she was on the way to do one of the opera shows and was in full costume, picture Marie Antoinette in full regalia

 

[Still Ebby]

My favourite shopping memories were with my mother as a child, she spent more time fawning over my brothers, as a lot of English mums did back in the day, so getting to spend one on one time with her was wonderful. I loved our Saturday morning shops at the local centre, we would walk there and spend hours window shopping cultimating in a nice lunch at the Myers cafeteria.
She was a constant embarrassment though as she was loud and proud, one day her knicker elastic broke so she calmly picked them up and put them in her bag, another time she started singing at the top of her voice when she saw one of her friends across the pathway, they were both members of an operatic society, I just kept on walking and tried to pretend I wasn't with her.
My most embarrassing moment with her was when I was in hospital having just had my tonsils out at 16.
My stepfather ran into my room to warn me but he didn't need to, I could hear her coming, there were bang crashing noises as something was knocking things to the floor and I instantly knew it was my mother.
She walked into the ward and as I was furthest from the door she politely waved to the other patients there.
Why was this embarrassing you might wonder.
It was because she was on the way to do one of the opera shows and was in full costume, picture Marie Antoinette in full regalia

Your mum sounds a fun person typical English daft as a brush.
My mum couldn't wait to get me on the train fast enough when l went ooh when l felt my first baby drop when l was seven months pregnant l was visiting her in Lincoln
Although l hated the crowds in Leeds UK that was the only option as we had no really big shops in the village l lived in .Marks and Spencers stands was a good place to shop and Lewis's.
Anyone remember those very large books that had everything in and you chose something and paid it off.l ran one and l think it was Drivers but there were several

 

[DLHM]

My favourite shopping memories were with my mother as a child, she spent more time fawning over my brothers, as a lot of English mums did back in the day, so getting to spend one on one time with her was wonderful. I loved our Saturday morning shops at the local centre, we would walk there and spend hours window shopping cultimating in a nice lunch at the Myers cafeteria.
She was a constant embarrassment though as she was loud and proud, one day her knicker elastic broke so she calmly picked them up and put them in her bag, another time she started singing at the top of her voice when she saw one of her friends across the pathway, they were both members of an operatic society, I just kept on walking and tried to pretend I wasn't with her.
My most embarrassing moment with her was when I was in hospital having just had my tonsils out at 16.
My stepfather ran into my room to warn me but he didn't need to, I could hear her coming, there were bang crashing noises as something was knocking things to the floor and I instantly knew it was my mother.
She walked into the ward and as I was furthest from the door she politely waved to the other patients there.
Why was this embarrassing you might wonder.
It was because she was on the way to do one of the opera shows and was in full costume, picture Marie Antoinette in full regalia

Everyday would have been a fun day with a mum like yours! I’ll bet you have so many memories, you could write a book!

 

[Still Ebby]

Everyday would have been a fun day with a mum like yours! I’ll bet you have so many memories, you could write a book!

Would have been fun .l think most English people just act they way they want to and don't hold back and what you see is what you get. l miss the sarcasm where if someone was sarcastic you answered with sarcasm back and no-one took offence. l find in Australia you have to be careful as to what you say

 

[deni67]

Everyday would have been a fun day with a mum like yours! I’ll bet you have so many memories, you could write a book!

I'm sure I could, she was a slip of a woman but didn't suffer fools and would call a spade a spade.
She would have turned 100 10 days ago, as it was she passed away at 93, she had a good "innings"

 

[Still Ebby]

I'm sure I could, she was a slip of a woman but didn't suffer fools and would call a spade a spade.
She would have turned 100 10 days ago, as it was she passed away at 93, she had a good "innings"

Where was your mum born?

 

[DLHM]

I'm sure I could, she was a slip of a woman but didn't suffer fools and would call a spade a spade.
She would have turned 100 10 days ago, as it was she passed away at 93, she had a good "innings"

My mum was so conservative but had odd bursts of fun at times. My mum died last year at the age of 92, so she did well too.

 

[Still Ebby]

My mum was so conservative but had odd bursts of fun at times. My mum died last year at the age of 92, so she did well too.

Sorry to hear she has passed Good age .

 

[DLHM]

Sorry to hear she has passed Good age .

Thank you @Still Ebby. I hope I get to 90!

 

[marrels]

Growing every Christmas my parents would take my brother and l to Melbourne City, to see the Myer Christmas Windows and Santa and go to the Myers Rooftop for rides and of course the Foy's Christmas Santa beckoning you with his finger. We would always also visit Darrel Lea and we would always buy a Bo Peep jar of lollies. These were the best memories.

 

[Reet]

Staying with my grandmother at Christmas in Battersea, London and visiting this old toy shop which had ancient toys for sale which we had never seen before. It was great just walking around looking at everything, although we did get presents bought for us by our family.

 

[Reet]

Thank you @Still Ebby. I hope I get to 90!

I am approaching 90 (in 2025) and feel a bit lonely at times because most of my friends of similar age have already passed away. I find nothing good about getting to 90 although I do have lots of younger friends who still check to make sure I am OK. None of my family have ever lived this long so I think I must have done something wrong and this is my punishment (Joke)

 

[Still Ebby]

Thank you @Still Ebby. I hope I get to 90!

Thanks Debra but l'm nearly there now lol

 

[Still Ebby]

I am approaching 90 (in 2025) and feel a bit lonely at times because most of my friends of similar age have already passed away. I find nothing good about getting to 90 although I do have lots of younger friends who still check to make sure I am OK. None of my family have ever lived this long so I think I must have done something wrong and this is my punishment (Joke)

Sorry to hear you feel lonely and l know how you feel even though l have family around l often feel sad
Try and look forward to something .If your able go outside or take a drive somewhere.Go to the library Go where you can meet people and make new friends in Nearly all my friends are gone too or moved away.l also will be 90 next October Cheer up

 

[Still Ebby]

Staying with my grandmother at Christmas in Battersea, London and visiting this old toy shop which had ancient toys for sale which we had never seen before. It was great just walking around looking at everything, although we did get presents bought for us by our family.

Love Battersea park

 

[Still Ebby]

Thanks Debra but l'm nearly there now lol

Debra l hope you get to 100

 

[deni67]

Where was your mum born?

In England, somewhere in Sussex.