Holiday Shopping in Canada

Unlike some of my gender who derives a great deal of pleasure in perusing stores and malls, I find shopping to be a cumbersome and tedious task. Let's just say it's one of my least favorite things to do, right up there with poking out my eye with a hot stick. Internet shopping has been my salvation ever since I discovered how easy, safe and pain-free it truly is. My annoyance with shopping in stores is especially high during the holidays, when fellow customers are stressed and badly trained seasonal employees are unable or unwilling to help you find your way out of the havoc. This time of year, I don't even want to run into a grocery store to grab a gallon of milk, much less go Christmas shopping for friends and relatives.

There are few exceptions to be made on my anti-retail shopping stand. Not long after moving to Michigan, I discovered the joys of shopping in Canada, our usually northern neighbor. Not so from here, however; Windsor, Ontario is only 20 minutes away just south of Detroit, a very short trip down I-75, and accessible by the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel or the Ambassador Bridge. Windsor is a fairly large city with a population of over 200,000, and has many amenities, including beautiful, clean parks, lots of great golf courses, a nice casino, many wonderful restaurants and hotels, lots of other amusements and of course, friendly shops.

If you're more interested in big city excitement and fun, head to Toronto. Toronto, which I think of as Canada's Big Apple, is three and a half hours east, and is much closer to us in southeastern Michigan (and for some in northern Ohio or upstate New York) than Chicago is. It's a big, bustling city with an endless array of things to do. In addition to the kind of conveniences you'll find in Windsor, Toronto also boasts a busy night life, including night clubs, notable stage productions and comedy clubs.

My first exposure to shopping in Canada was during the mid-1990s, when beanie babies first caught fire and my children wanted them. Of course, they were scarce here in the States, and when shipments did arrive, available numbers were few. Through the grapevine, I learned that beanie babies were far more plentiful in Canada-and cheaper. It was all too easy to make a trip to Windsor each weekend, rather than try to fight the crowds here.

A few years later, we decided to do our Christmas shopping in Windsor. The exchange rate was extremely attractive at the time, and my husband and I were ready to try something new. We first stopped at the Devonshire Mall, and the mall experience was like landing on another planet. Sure it's a mall just like the ones here, but salespeople were actually falling all over themselves and each other trying to please us! This kind of customer service was something you don't often find on the US side of the border.

Devonshire Mall has a Sears store for an anchor, but unlike stores here in the US, Sears is actually more upscale in Canada. It reminds me more of a Macy's or the now defunct Marshall Field. Devonshire Mall also contains some pretty unusual gift shops, and it's the only place I'll actually shop at a dollar store. Dollar stores in Canada sell interesting, inexpensive items which are by no means "cheap."

After that, we made our way to the downtown business area, which is easy to navigate on foot. Here you can get Cuban cigars (you can't bring them back, so smoke them up fast!) and furs. There are also first-rate china shops, where I found Noritake crystal to match my set. This crystal was exceptionally rare to find here in Michigan. Chocolates made in Canada are not heavily dosed with waxes like they are here, so their texture and flavor is more like Swiss or French chocolate. I also like to purchase Canadian wine while I'm there, since the selection of Canadian wines in Michigan is pretty nonexistent. The wine country in Canada is southwest of Toronto, near Niagara, and there are many interesting varieties to try, and many of them are reasonably priced. (You must be in Canada for 24 hours in order to bring in two bottles duty free.)

Canadians, especially in a border town like Windsor, are very sensitive to the US tourist dollar. Their livelihood has depended on the trade of US citizens for many years. Even though the exchange rate is not as ample as it was in the past, a shopping trip to Canada still worth the trip.

If you're planning on a shopping trip to Canada, there are a few things to remember:

Don't forget your passport. After the end of this year, you will need one. After all, Canada is a foreign country, even if seems more like another state. Before January 23, 2007, a US state or government issued birth certificate and driver's license should be enough to get you back. I always bring my passport, since it's easier than trying to explain, yes I am a citizen but I was born in a foreign country. Remember that everyone in the car with you will need this kind of identification, even small children.

Try to stay overnight if you can. You're allowed to bring in a larger dollar amount of goods with a 24 hour stay. Believe me, you can find plenty of things to do during that time.

Use a credit card to make your purchases. You'll get a better exchange rate using a bank card. If you do wish to convert US dollars into Canadian, do so sparingly. Most stores, restaurants, hotels, etc. will accept our credit cards. They'll also accept our dollars, but probably not at the same rate as a bank.

Gas up before you leave the states, and try not to buy any gas while you're in Canada, if you can. It's really expensive!

Try to buy merchandise that is distinctly Canadian. Many US branded items are actually more expensive in Canada. Stay away from those.

Don't forget to shop the duty free on the way back. My favorite duty free store is at the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel. I always buy perfume and Lancôme cosmetics there. Other great last minute deals can be found as well.

While you're stopped at the duty free, don't forget to fill out the forms to get the taxes paid in Canada back. It takes a few months, but if you're spending a lot of money, it may be worth it.

Keep your receipts in one place. This makes it easier should you have to stop at Customs and provide them.

Declare all the items you bought. I've found that the worst that could happen is they will charge full duty on your items. However, if you are caught lying about your purchase, they can confiscate your items or detain you. It's definitely not worth the risk.

Maintain a serious manner at the border. Customs agents on both sides have very little sense of humor these days, especially after 9-11. Being a comedian could cost you unnecessary detention or jail time.Even though the exchange rate is now pretty much even, I will still wander over the border this year to make my Christmas purchases

Enjoy your trip, enjoy the experience, enjoy the people you'll meet and enjoy the holidays!

These web sites are especially helpful:
http://www.citywindsor.ca/
http://www.toronto.ca/