Last year I remember that come January it was all over the news about how “big” online shopping had been in the run up to Christmas, and I’m sure this year it will probably make the news again.

I’m a big believer in online shopping, and have been for quite some time – but I don’t really buy all that much “new stuff”. I’m also pathologically late with my Christmas shopping, and still have nightmares about that Christmas Eve trip to the Trafford Centre, and the hours of parking related shenanigans.

This year I vowed to not make that same mistake, and to trust my fate to the online shopping world… so at the beginning of December I got out my wallet and ordered up pretty much everything I was going to need for Christmas. Ok, so there were a few smaller things I left until last week to order, but two days before Christmas in ridiculous snow, the last of my Christmas deliveries landed on my desk.

Phew. That was easy.

I’ve only made one shopping trip into town this December, and that was to buy one present that I couldn’t have really ordered online and to get Cards for my parents/GF and wrapping paper (which could have easily been bought at the supermarket). That officially makes this the easiest Christmas for me since I was old enough to start giving, rather than just receiving.

The only downside that I can see to all this, is that I don’t feel very “Christmassy” this year. Though I think that’s part of a trend that’s been developing over the years, and nothing to do with ordering online :)

I wonder, come January, how the news will be talking about the 2009 Christmas Shopping Season – if they will indeed still be reeling out the figures of how many people are turning to the internet, or if they will take that as simply part of the norm. I certainly don’t think we will ever gravitate completely away from online shopping – so does that mean that shopping in town is quieter than it has been before? Making the experience perhaps less profitable for high-street retailers, but more pleasant for the consumers? Or are we all just buying more stuff?

I’ve been a fan of Regina Spektor since my flatmate tipped me off to her a few years ago now – when he was running out to see her a small venue here in Manchester. How I wished I’d known about her in time to go to that gig.

Regina is one of the few artists who as far as I’m concerned doesn’t have a single bad song. Each one is truly stunning, with the older material being as good as – if not better than – her later albums. A real talent. I was excited when I was I was given tickets by my girlfriend, but a little worried that her voice wouldn’t sound anywhere near as good as it does on the albums.

I shouldn’t have worried though, she was incredible live… even better than her recordings. She even has a solo a cappella song – not something many artists would be brave enough to do nowadays.

If you’re not familiar with her music then I highly recommend that you check out her albums – not just the latest – of which most (though not all) are available to listen to for free on Spotify.

And if you have the chance, go see her live! You won’t be disappointed.