Small Macys? What about the local Bloomingdales?

No Bloomie's here, our "city" is too small for that. I think the Macy's is probably small for some areas but it's a decent size for here and 2 stories plus they bought out the store next door and use that also.

everything that fits well and looks good is expensive,

I'm with you there. I have been on a weight loss journey this last year and have lost so much weight that nothing from last year fits. I'm restocking my wardrobe entirely about every 3-4 months. I have 22 pounds to get to my goal weight. I can't afford to buy the really nice stuff since I'm still losing. Thank goodness I know how to crochet and knit because I can buy yarn at Hobby Lobby and Joann and make a really nice sweater for about $10-$15, which is equivalent in looks and design to sweaters at the mall that run $80 and up.

I thought about TJ Maxx and Marshalls. Our Marshalls is kinda gross though and I just went there the other day for a yoga mat and didn't notice anything that caught my eye just cruising through. TJ Maxx is a good idea when I'm on the hunt in 3-6 months again. Our TJ Maxx (and Marshalls) are super small though so it's not too often that I see anything I like. I mean these stores are so small, they are about the size of Joann, if not smaller. And we don't even have a very big Joann.

Ummmmm......I am finished, going to wrap packages this weekend.

I don't buy much for Christmas anymore. Hubby's family doesn't exchange gifts with us so we don't have to worry about them. My family is so huge that we just do a single gift gift exchange and the rule is that it either has to be $25 (or less) or you are allowed to spend $25 on supplies to make something... and my family would rather have something handmade than a $25 store bought gift. There are so many kids in my family that as moms we all decide on a specific store each year and everyone buys $5 gift cards for each kid so they can put all their cards together and get themselves what they want. My son is an adult and he'd rather just have money so that's easy. I really only shop for one gift for my husband and a few for my daughter... she is at the age that she'd rather have a few really nice gifts than a slew of less expensive things. We are buying her a laptop this year so I'm waiting to see what's on Black Friday. I should be able to do all of my Christmas shopping in a day.