Holiday Shopping in Denver
Credits: Photo - Anonymous, Styling - Sarah G. Schmidt, Location - Denver Christkindlmarket, Civic Center Park
Preparing for a holiday away from home is a feat all in its own. Thankfully I have had lots of practice. My recommendations include shipping all gifts not going to that location by December 01, personally packing really light, and wrapping the final gifts once you get there.
My in-laws are great, too, at reducing what we give physically to one another. Come Christmas morning there are very little gifts as we’ve agreed that travelling to meet up together is a gift in itself. That works out super well because it’s hella expensive to fly across North America in the first place.
Speaking of flying, I was super nervous to go near any airport. My last flight was in January 2020, 45 days before the first case of Covid-19 virus was reported in Calgary. It had been more than a haute couture minute. The idea of being enclosed with a 100 other people during a pandemic was less than desirable to me. But with all the PPE precautions and vaccination verification checks I got on, sat down, sat still, and got on with the show.
Once landed in Denver, CO, we got our bags and went straight outside before touching our KN95 masks. Talking that sucker off was like ripping a good Band-Aid off. Thankful for the protection; relieved to have some fresh air. As we drove away from the city to the rural area where my sister-in-law lives, I got to thinking, “Well I’m in ‘Merica now, how much can I shop?” The answer to that is a lot. Now I don’t shop all day every day and I don’t always buy - that’s my job at home, silly - but I do find little ways to indulge in the mega capitalist nation that is the USA.
“Sarah, you want to run to Target to pick up a few things?”
Yes, yes I do.
“Sarah, I’m wanting some wool base layer. Let’s head to the outlets on the way back from skiing today?”
Yes, yes we could.
“While we wait for our take out order do you want to pop into that Vintage Store?”
Yes, yes I would.
“There’s an outdoor German-style Christmas Market in Downtown Denver this week, wanna check it out?”
Yes, yes we should. Danke.
More specifically, there are some stores and brands in a city of nearly four million people that Calgary just doesn’t have. Or if Calgary does have it, it’s a stockist at another store with a few things and not its own, massive stand-alone store. Department stores like Kohls, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, and Bloomingdales, and lifestyle stores including Madewell, Stance, and Free People come quick to mind.
And it’s not just the stores. It’s the size of the stores. I offer you this example to mull over: have you had the joy of walking through all 4 levels that is Restoration Hardware at Cherry Creek Mall? This behemoth has its own dedicated wing and roof top patio. Another comparison is this: Nordstrom Denver makes Nordstrom Calgary look like the October 31 candy aisle: sparse, picked over, and too much empty space for the size of the place.
As my partner tried on some jeans, I chatted with the sales fellow. As we blabbered on about my styling work and his aspirations to design, he was curious what it was like shopping in Canada. I tried to explain that we are 1/10th of the population and sadly our shopping reflects that percentage, too. After a beat, it looked to me as if he was fine to stay put. Gotta love a stylish land-of-the-plenty M.O.
Simply put, there are more malls, more big boxes, more independents, more outlets, more brands, and more lines within the brands that what I am used to. Yes, one can get a lot online, but for me, seeing it and touching it in person elevates the shopping experience.
One thing that isn’t different is the prices. Turns out the price for things is not as cheap as I remember. It’s about the same price as Canada. But there’s more to factor in. I shudder to think that my VISA statement will have calculated the real, post USD to CAD exchange price for this fast-swiping Canuck before I get back home.
Oh, gotta go. We’re heading to the other outlets and I’ve got my eye on an orange sweater. But before I do I want to wish you and yours a warm and fuzzy happy holidays. I hope you get what you want but not more than what we all really need: love and support from each of our beloved people.
