I went to two different malls today. One mall had a tree in the centre and nothing else, and the other mall had no decorations at all. A few days ago I was at another mall and only one section was decorated with those white lights hanging from the ceiling that look like vines. The art of Christmas mall decorations seems to be dying. What gives?
shareThe aisles of the main walkways at our mall used to be filled with Christmas displays, some of them even animatronic. I was mesmerized by them as a kid. All of that is gone now. Probably figured it took up too much space that they wanted to fill with shoppers spending money. I think money is behind pretty much every retail related decision.
share51% of people in Toronto weren't born in the country, so I'm guessing people not celebrating has become a factor over the years.
shareThere are still functioning malls mear you? The ones in my closest big city are all ghost towns. It's shocking to remember how vibrant they were back in the 80's.
shareAmazon says you're welcome.
I remember having a two story slide in the mall when I went to see Santa - I've never seen that type of set up ever again.
Functioning*
*They're still standing but at times very empty.
Christmastime and the holiday season in general is becoming less of a special time of year. It's all about profit and materialism, not the holiday. I'm guessing it wasn't "cost-effective" for the mall to put up the decorations.
All of the hype and oversaturation have ruined it. Some places begin promoting "Christmas" as early as October. I've heard people in December remark that they are "sick of Christmas" and will be glad when it's over. So sad.
Save the holiday season.
They say they want Christmas to be over but then when January hits, the rest of the year until October feels the same to them.
shareLike it or not, for some time Christmas has been a secular holiday, at least in the US: although this year I have noticed more traditional, Christmas carols being played on radio stations that normally don't play them.
shareChristmas has always had both religious and secular aspects. Regardless of how one observes it, it should be a special time of year. This is being lost due to oversaturation, which makes the season routine rather than something unique. The old adage "too much of a good thing" applies here.
Save the holiday season.
I think you and I have discussed this before. It only becomes oversaturated if you let it. It's not necessary to listen to holiday music before Thanksgiving is over unless you want to. I'm not a big shopper, so I don't get blasted with Christmas right after Halloween. The few times I've been in Macys, I don't recall holiday overload.
I see Christmas decorations being sold early in places like Home Depot but that is understandable for those people who want to put decorations up outside.
Bottom line - keep Christmas the way you want to and don't worry what others do.
"It's all about profit and materialism"
But we're talking about commercial enterprises, places where people go solely to spend money. They're entirely about profit and materialism! There's a widespread sentiment that playing Christmas music increases sales, so it's reasonable to assume that Christmas decorations have a similar effect.
I can't see how playing "Christmas" music in November increases sales. Especially when it's the same limited songs played ad nauseum. By the time Christmas actually arrives, people are so sick of it that they wish the holidays were over.
Shoppers usually have a specific list of family members and friends for whom they will be buying gifts. They will make these purchases regardless of the store decor or background music.
Save the holiday season.
Do you live in Kuwait?
shareLaugh it up, Andrew. "Muhammad" was the most popular name for boys in England in 2023. If Canadia goes down, Engerland is going down too.
https://en.mehrnews.com/amp/225326/
There are three malls within "driving distance" from us, and two of them are dying. One was expected even when it was built because they put it in a depressed area of the city (dumb - and I think some politician got greased). The second was always one that you had to circle the parking lot two or three times before you could find a parking spot, and that one is now dying which I would never have thought would happen.
I haven't been to any of them yet, but I suspect only the one in Hartford will be well decorated.
First the decorations are disappearing, then entire malls will.
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I just saw a TV news program that malls are starting to convert into efficiency apartments - not entirely (not yet maybe), just like the top floor keeping the stores below. Makes sense.
Better than tearing it down. These malls are nostalgic for people and don't want to see them go.
shareThe mall in my town has apartments in the parking lot. I thought that was weird.
Signed, million man.
I saw a report of a mall that was converted to a campus for the local community college. This seems like a good re-use, too.
shareWhat gives??
Probably $$$$$. Or lack there of. I can't remember the last time I actually shopped at the local mall. I suppose it was a few months ago, and that was only to return something from an online order. One of these days I should take a walk through there to see what's what. I know one of my favorite stores that used to be there has moved to online only. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I'm not a mall aficionado, but it's sad seeing them in the state they are. It's becoming a lost experience just like the video store.
shareWe have a couple of malls that are still thriving. The Apple store is located in one of them and I have to go there Monday so I'll find out if its decorated or not.
I don't like to shop just for the heck of it and I much prefer open air shopping centers where I can just pull up to the store where I want shop, get what I want, and then be on my way.
Anchor stores like the Apple store is what always keeps malls running. We need the big ones to stay or else malls will die off quickly.
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