I became hooked on Sears catalogues when I was a little girl. Not just the Wish Book, like most kids – I liked all of them. I would go through each catalogue many times, sometimes just to enjoy the pictures, and other times pretending that I had to choose one item from each page, or playing some other game that I made up for myself. And to this day, I still get excited when a new catalogue comes out – even though they seem to come out earlier and earlier (who orders a winter coat in June, anyway?) and despite the fact that I can’t remember the last time I actually ordered anything.
When I deliver an organizing seminar (like the one I’ll be doing for the IEEE Toronto Women in Engineering Affinity Group next week), I frequently mention that with so much up-to-date information available online, there’s really no need to keep most paper catalogues. Despite that, I have a special spot in my home where I keep all my catalogues until they reach their expiry date. Sometimes I even look at them! However, I think it’s time for me to take my own advice. The next time I’m at the UPS Store (which is also my Sears catalogue pickup location) and I see those shiny new books, I will smile, with fond memories of my childhood, and walk on by. And when a sales catalogue is delivered to me, after browsing it, I’ll place it in my recycling along with all the other flyers.
If more people stop taking those catalogues, Sears (and other companies) won’t have to print as many – and think how many trees that will save!
Hmm, I wonder what I can put in the space I’ll free up in my living room?
Hey Janet,
I too used to love looking at catalogues and have fond memories of Consumers Distrbuting. I still get very excited when the new Ikea catalogue arrives. I make a point of sitting down with a nice cup of tea and “reading” it from cover to cover. I also keep one or two current Sears catalogues. I don’t pick them up, but they do still sometimes drop them off at my house.
I am all for saving trees, but there are some things that will just never be the same in digital format. I like to read books (a lot of them) and I don’t like sitting at the computer to do that. A book or newspaper is portable, and let’s face it – it’s nice to “unplug” to enjoy some down time. I have eliminated all magazine subscriptions and visit the library on a regular basis now. That way I still get to read what I enjoy, but the library gets to house all the “clutter”. LOL
Tina – I agree with you whole-heartedly that there’s nothing like curling up with a book or newspaper, or the occasional magazine. We spend enough time at our computers! And I can’t even imagine sitting at my computer to enjoy a novel!
I even keep office supply catalogues on hand because it’s easier for me to find the products I want in the printed book than it is on some of the suppliers’ websites.
I agree with you Janet. There is so much stuff on-line you really don’t need magazines. All you need to do is set up a wireless network in your house. Just be careful you don’t drop your laptop in the toilet (Where else do you read the Reader’s Digest?)
Jacki – I’m know you’re joking (at least I hope you are) but check this out!