It's been reported that the October through December quarter of any year is the one in which many types of retail businesses hope to make their most profit. The way we shop and the way retailers earn their profits are definitely changing; this has been going on for years and will continue.

In the early part of the 19th Century and for several years thereafter many stores were mom-and-pop, family-owned stores with one physical location. For the early part of those years, the customer was not much involved in the purchase except to tell the clerk what he wanted and the clerk would get it for the customer. That changed when Frank Woolworth, founder of the F. W. Woolworth Company, had the idea to take products out from behind the counter and display products on the shelves. With that little change, customers became more involved in the shopping process. Shopping changed in many ways throughout the 20th Century and, as we approach 2020, the changes just keep coming.

In the 1950s as people depended on their automobiles more and more, huge enclosed shopping malls began to appear. The first huge climate-controlled mall with many stores inside was Southdale Shopping Center which opened in Edna, Michigan in 1956. For many years, shopping malls were the preferred way to shop for many people. However, 2007 was the first year that no new shopping malls were built in the United States. Last year in USA Today  an article of the top shopping malls in the United States said that the North Park Shopping Center in Dallas was the top shopping mall in Texas.

Many nice shopping malls still exist throughout the country, however today the newer shopping centers still have many stores but are built more as strip centers rather than fully enclosed malls. The Town North Shopping Center in Sherman is an example of this new trend in shopping centers.

Personally I prefer the fully enclosed shopping centers rather than the strip centers that are built today. One reason is convenience, in bad weather you can shop at all the stores without having to be out in the weather each time you change stores. Most people I've talked with will now just go in the store they need to rather than going in and out of many stores and being in and out of the weather each time. It seems to me that the stores would benefit from being in an enclosed mall. Exercise is great, but how many of us want to get out in bad weather and shop at several stores that are not enclosed.

In Sherman's Town Center, it's a little over a half mile from the movie theater to J. C. Penney's; it would seem longer than that carrying some shopping bags, too.

In the last quarter-century, or maybe just a little more, computers and technology have further changed the way we shop. Many customers are now shopping online at home, and on the go, no matter where they might live in the world. The convenience plus quick delivery and maybe ordering online and being able to pick up your order in the store is too great for some people to ignore. I do some online shopping, however I still prefer the old fashioned way of going into a brick and mortar store and seeing and checking out the actual merchandise before I buy.

As kids we tend to associate Christmas with the excitement of seeing what's in our stocking on Christmas morning, lots of presents, etc. As we grow into an adult we tend to or certainly should reflect much more on the true meaning of Christmas, that is something we must never forget. There will also be many opportunities in December to get together with family and friends, that can be a good thing.

Leaving shopping aside we must never forget that the most important part of every December is not shopping; it's to observe and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It's been said that Jesus is the reason for the season. In reality he's the reason for any season. While there will be lots of sales and bargains galore this month, but those things should be way down the list from the real reason we celebrate December 25 every year. A few years ago a friend sent me an e-mail wishing me a Merry CHRISTmas, written that way we surely shouldn't forget the true meaning of what CHRISTmas is all about.

People seem to be friendlier around CHRISTmas, I've heard people comment about someone having the CHRISTmas Spirit. It would not hurt any one of us if we would just remember to keep that CHRISTmas Spirit all year long, not just in December.

I wrote in two earlier columns about the very worthwhile "Wreaths Across America" movement; this December 14 would be a great way to honor the memory of a loved one or maybe just someone you knew who lost their life while serving in one of our country's military services.

Remember CHRISTmas is much more about giving than receiving.

For more information go to Learn about Wreaths Across America's Mission to Remember, Honor and Teach.