It’s time to shop for Christmas, if you haven’t already!
I’ve been getting out of the cottage regularly once a week for a few weeks now, although my Christmas list is still unfinished. These pictures were taken in my local shopping Mall yesterday and I thought I’d show them to you today. This year’s theme is stars and I think it works very well, don’t you?
I don’t know about you, but I rely a lot on lists at this time of the year. It’s nice to tick things off when done, then finally one gets to the point where there is nothing left to do.
There is always something, sometimes several things, that get forgotten or lost. This year for me it is the gift tags. So far I haven’t found the ones I carefully made using last year’s left over Christmas cards. It’s too late now because I’ve bought some new ones.
There are two levels to my shopping Mall. You can see the layout clearly in the next picture. The balcony shops are at the top and there is a lift to the lower floor. This is very useful for wheelchair users, older people like me and mums and dads with young children and pushchairs.
We have lots and lots of cafes here, but they’re not all in the middle of the Mall like I’ve seen in America. Ours are more spread out around the Mall and in the stores themselves. One is never far away from a cup of tea or coffee over here.
The hanging stars in the next picture look better in real life than in the photo, but you can get the idea. Very pretty.
The triangular shaped piece of furniture in the centre is a rubbish bin, which is emptied regularly throughout the day.
These beautiful reindeer are made out of painted twigs with little fairy lights all through. Just delightful.
Christmas is all about giving and the wishing wells in the next pic. are part of the Mayor’s appeal. You can donate to his appeal and make a wish at the same time.
So as we prepare for Christmas let’s take some time to appreciate all the work that has gone into our lovely decorations. They are enjoyed by so many people, especially the children and really help to put our hearts and minds into the spirit of Christmas
Oma 
I first saw reindeer like this at a hotel we stayed in over the Millenium. Then tried the next year to get some, without success. Until I spotted some unpainted twig reindeer in a garden centre. So I bought some tiny lights and now have a DIY version. They are getting a bit dried and warped now inside the house, but will still look fine for their 12th year I’m sure!
Everywhere looks so festive, lets hope the festive Spirit can also reach into our hearts Oma
love the photos… thank you for sharing Sue
Absolutely gorgeous photos. I very much like the cool stars and sparkly reindeer! 🙂
The star effect is lovely, and the tree especially. What a lot of lights that must have taken. They could have a guess-the-lights competition, maybe supporting a local charity. I am avoiding the city shops this year, the local ones are enough to cope with. The grotto has just opened and the entertainment in the mall is in full force, so it’s nice to go there.
Yes there were lots of oohs and aahs when they first went on. I think they look lovely and the colours are gorgeous.
I absolutely love the Christmas decorations in the malls – so pretty! 😀