Christmas shopping made comfortable

The Christmas tree had been already set-up and decorated. Holiday movies were playing on the television. And a fresh pot of coffee had been brewed.

Now with a cup of coffee, and my laptop, I sat down on the living room couch to spend my Sunday morning Christmas shopping via the Internet. But this would not be a typical on-line shopping excursion because I was going to start at the Connecticut Opera website and visit the E-Plaza.

The E-Plaza is an exciting collection of major retailers who, if you visit their website via the E-Plaza, will make a contribution to the participating E-Plaza charity that you select. And best of all, the prices and specials at the E-Plaza are the same as if you went directly to the retailer’s website.

Now back to my holiday shopping experience. When I began yesterday morning I still had a number of Christmas gifts to purchase this holiday season. After searching around the Toys-R-Us website, I selected some fun, age-appropriate, items for my niece (2 ½) and nephew (almost 7) in Wisconsin. Since they will not be able to come east next week to visit Uncle Dave for Christmas, I had their presents shipped to their mother’s attention. My sister will help me by wrapping the presents and placing them under their tree.

After leaving Toys-R-Us, I went to Staples and Ritz Camera to get some techno items for other family members. Those items were also being shipped, but this time to my home. I also made a purchase at Best Buy, which I decided to pick-up at the store. The Merchandise Pick-up line at Best Buy was shorter and faster than if I had completed the purchase at the store.

So in a couple of comfortable hours at my home, I was able to complete much of my remaining Christmas shopping without leaving my fresh pot of coffee or my holiday movies. And best of all, my Christmas is happier knowing that I helped Connecticut Opera raise some much needed funding in this tough economy.

Go ahead, pour your favorite beverage and do some shopping at the E-Plaza.