Post-Christmas Ornament Sales

One of my favorite things to shop for after Christmas are really nice ornaments for my tree that are typically 50-60% off. I always feel I am getting a great deal on something I feel is overpriced anyway....so in my mind, I am actually paying regular price.

The last 3 years, I have been in Neiman Marcus right after New Year's when they are having serious clearance sales on their Christmas ornaments and have walked away really happy with what I found as well as the price I paid for each one. This year, my sister and I did find a few in Key West at Fast Buck Freddies but these folks must have caught on to this little game since there were signs everywhere saying "All ornaments are STILL full price!!!!" I asked the guy as to why they were not on sale yet and I did get a little snooty answer of "They are NOT mass produced and are sold as works of art to those who love this artist. If they are not sold this year, the artist will just have more to sell next year!" I didn't point out that yet again, we were on Duval Street facing a drag-show theater just to bring things into perspective but, didn't anyone ever explain to the artist that wheeling and dealing is actually part of how the price of art is really established? Isn't it about how much a buyer is willing to spend? Not to mention, we are in a rotten economy and I would think that there is a small target demographic for those who are willing to by high end Christmas Ornaments in the first place and on Duval Street?

Regardless, I did play stupid tourist (not hard, the stupid part) and Molly and I bought some really pretty peacock themed ornaments....I guess I am not too good to pay full price (I mean the inflated, pre-Christmas price) when I fall in love with colors and shapes of the glass ornaments even in a bad economy. I am pretty sure I don't do that with anything else I buy....silence from the peanut gallery!

Either way, if anyone is in Neiman's in the next few weeks, take a look! You may be able to enhance your tree next year with something very nice and reasonable! Also, if you do find something online, they are having free shipping right now on ANYTHING....just type in SHOPNM when you are checking out. No shipping is a beautiful thing that can be a savings in and of itself!

Have a wonderful first week back at work....for those of you shopping during work, let us know if there is something we should all be aware of!