Online vs. In Store

Holiday Shopping Done Right

Taylor Richard, Chloe Price, and Angela Simmons • November 15, 2024

The Triton Voice travelled to local malls and shopped online to examine which was the better experience.

Triton High School’s students and staff are getting ready for the holidays by brainstorming how they’ll be shopping for their loved ones this year, whether they will be running through the stores or getting cozy on the couch.

A topic of discussion this week has been whether the students prefer holiday gift shopping in store or online.

Throughout the country, stores are filling up, as are the multiplying ‘Amazon’ packages on the doorsteps of many. Triton senior Rowan Cole agrees that online shopping is preferable, “I’d get people [gifts] online shopping or gift cards so they can choose.”

But what attracts the eye of customers and how does that affect consumerism in this generation?

Mr. Scott Maxwell says it’s the deals that catch his eye.

“I like to do a combination of the two,” he said “I like to do in store shopping to get an idea of what I like and then try to find deals online.”

According to a recent study by bussinessdasher.com, almost 70 percent of frequent shoppers prefer online shopping compared to in-store shopping. Triton student Colleen Johnson says she prefers browsing her favorite stores.

“It feels more holiday-y than sitting on my computer,” she said “They got the Christmas music, they got the scents.” Phys’ Ed teacher Ms. Donna Anderson partly agrees, “I do online shopping,” she said “I’m not going to say [it’s] better, about equal.”

Recently, reporters for the Triton Voice walked through Lynnfield Marketplace to review the shopping center. With Starbucks in hand they understood why some would prefer the joys of browsing their favorite stores during the holiday season. It was truly magical. The crisp air blanketed them and the warm lights of the shops invited them to a night of fun. But some beg to differ, Mrs. Megan Martin tells us “I definitely prefer online shopping…I have 3 kids & I do not want to bring any of them to a store,” she said.

Each of the 80+ stores and restaurants were filled with items sure to be found under the Christmas trees of many students at Triton and beyond. It was much different than hopping onto Amazon to fulfill those wishes. Rather, it was an experience full of memories and holiday spirit.

Sophomore Maecy Gay-Killeen elaborates, “I like to shop in stores for holiday shopping because I usually don’t know what I’m getting until I find something…” she said.

For us and many the holidays are a time of stress and the bustle of daily life, and sure, it is definitely easier to shop online, but according to some Triton students, nothing beats experiencing shopping during the Holidays.

About the Contributors

Taylor Richard, Staff Writer & Social Media Editor

Hi! My Name is Taylor Richard, and I am a junior at Triton High School. Outside of school I work at an ice cream shop and play tennis. I also do tons of community service on the weekends and volunteer at my church. My favorite things to do are to travel and go to the beach. I have an older brother and twin sister who I do almost everything with. I don’t think I would carry out a career in Journalism but I do like taking the class. I had heard from older friends of mine that this class was fun and kept them busy, which was something I liked. My favorite part of being in this class is being able to create articles on almost anything I want that interests me and others. It is really cool to see the impact that some articles can have on my peers as well. My goal for this year in journalism is to improve my writing and give people things that they would enjoy in the newspaper. I think that being a journalist for the school newspaper is very important. Surely, it’s not as important as those who write articles about much bigger and better things, but it is equally important in getting students involved and excited about what happens beyond the classroom. Educating them on the importance of knowing what happens around us every day is crucial too. I hope to go to college in the South once I graduate High School and become a Radiology or Ultrasound Technician! You can reach me at @[email protected]

Chloe Price, Staff Writer & Copy Editor

My name is Chloe Price, I am a junior at Triton High School. Some things I enjoy doing outside of my journalism class are going shopping with my friends, doing track, going to the beach, and cozying by the fireplace during Christmas time. I have one older sister and a pet dog. Although I do enjoy living with my family, I am excited to move out and get my dream house, which is a house on the lake. As quarter two started, I realized that although journalism is fun, I don’t think I will pursue it in the future. However, I enjoy going around and interviewing people, creating new ideas for next week's article, and the thrill and excitement that comes with it all. It is important to not only myself but to other people as well. Writing something can change someone’s day, not because they could be having a hard day or anything, but to help them look forward to something each week. Journalism can show you to jump outside the box, and try new things. You can create new friends in the process, but can also help you improve your writing in many ways. Although journalism won't be the job I will do in the future, I do still enjoy it. I have a few jobs in mind that I would love to do. Some being real estate, interior design, or cosmetology. My mom is a hairdresser, so I grew up in that environment of learning to cut hair, being around people, and more. Real estate and interior design both have something in common, one being that they both have to do with houses, but another being having to interact with people. I still have a little while to figure out what I choose to do but that’ll be a decision I make when the time comes.

Angela Simmons, Staff Writer & Social Media Editor

Hey, My name is Angela Simmons and I’m a junior at Triton High School! I’m an active person in the Triton community and outside of the Triton community. See now, I don't do a fall sport with Triton. It's just that nothing appeals to me, but I do run indoor track and I run on the streets of my town to keep myself in shape for my season. My older sister is nothing like me; she doesn't do any sports but now that she is in her first year at CU Boulder she is climbing a lot to keep herself in shape. I also have a much older brother who I don't know very well since we’re only related by my dad. I am very close with my family. Even my extended family. We love to have our traditions of, cookie baking, going to Millinocket, Maine, Sunday River, and my favorite:e we try to go on a crazy blowout trip all together; last time it was Italy. I recently traveled with my best friend Lily D’Andrea. We do everything together. I've known her for about 14 years now and we’ve been pretty much inseparable since. We love to adventure and find new things to do together. But right next to Lily is my boyfriend, Cruz. He's probably my next best friend. We have been together since the middle of summer, and we’ve also been pretty much inseparable since then too. He and I try and find new things together we have so many memories even though we have been together for four months now. That pretty much sums up my life. Journalism is so different from anything I've done in school. I don't think I would take this up for a career, but I do find it fascinating how this writing style works. I do find a lot of joy in interviewing friends on some funny but also not-so-funny topics. I think writing for the school newspaper is important because the school will read it and find out more information about the school itself and what the students love or dislike about our school. I think that media is important for our community because let's be real we would not know anything about what's going on or maybe we would but it would be really difficult. I haven't decided on my career yet. But over the summer and the last couple of months in my sophomore year, I figured out that I find the female and male reproductive system pretty interesting. So I asked my dad who is a doctor what I could do that involves the reproductive systems. So an OB/GYN would be so interesting, which, yes, that is known to be kind of a difficult job. But I think it would fit me so well. I don't have anything else I think is interesting about me. Although I do love to ski and care for my horses. You can reach me at [email protected]

Comments (0)

To All Those Making Comments: Please remember that this is a STUDENT publication. All commentary should be made with idea in mind that the school newspaper is FIRST an educational tool. Those making comments that are offensive or inappropriate, as deemed by the site administrator, will be removed.

Share your thoughts...

All Triton Voice Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest