Last-minute shoppers flock to Titles
[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Titles.jpg” caption=”Pictured holding some of the items for sale in Titles Bookstore, top row from left: Stacie Mestre and Cheryl Sinclair. In the bottom row are Bev Boschman, Sandra Mihalides and Robin Tancredi. Photo credit: Eileen Liu”]Behind on your Christmas shopping? Still looking for that perfect gift? Not enough time to wander the malls?
Titles Bookstore, located in the basement of Gilmour Hall, is a popular place for last-minute McMaster shoppers.
“We're going to be busy right up to Christmas,” says Barry Petrie, interim director of the bookstore. And it's no wonder, considering its convenient location at the heart of the McMaster campus and wide selection of merchandise. “We still have plenty of items in stock,” says Petrie. “Shoppers can still find everything they'll need to finish their Christmas shopping.”
To some, Titles may simply be the place to buy textbooks for classes but the campus bookstore offers more than just books. With everything from a computer and electronics department, to a post office and a gift shop, Titles offers more variety than one might think.
For a glimpse into what you can find at Titles, here are some gift ideas from Titles' staff:
“Our McMaster hoodie ($57.95) is one of the hottest items in the store,” says Sandra Mihalides, general merchandise and clothing buyer. With an assortment of colours, lettering and styles, the hoodies are so popular that new stock is shipped almost every day. Mom and Dad sweatshirts ($47.95) are also another popular item, especially for students headed home for the holidays, she says.
This may come as a surprise to many, but Titles also stocks various household appliances. “Sometimes its hard for people to get to a Walmart to buy these basic appliances,” says Cheryl Sinclair, stationary buyer. “We have everything from cordless phones ($59.95) to DVD players ($69.95). It's much easier for people to buy these things here since they're on campus and might be too busy to go somewhere else.”
Poker has become one of the most popular past-times in the last year and Titles has followed the trend. Available in both small ($33.95) and large ($49.95) sizes, the poker kits come with a complete set of chips and cards for the avid poker player.
For those looking for jobs after school, Titles offers professional looking portfolios ($20.95-$24.99) to carry resumes and cover letters. “Students may have interviews lined up for next term,” says Sinclair, “and portfolios help them look prepared and organized.”
Another item that has taken off is the latest Apple ipod nano. “We have a hard time keeping these in stock,” says Bev Boschman, administrative assistant of the Microcomputer Centre. “All Apple products have done very well; everyone loves them.” With 2 gigabyte ($235) and 4-gigabyte ($285) models, these portable mp3 players can store up to 1000 songs. The ipod nano comes in black or white and both offer free laser engraving to customize your own ipod.
The Microcomputer Centre offers a huge range of laptops for all kinds of needs. The Acer 3003 WLCI Laptop ($830) is a brand new addition to store and “it's great for students who like to bring their work to campus,” says Boschman. The centre carries an array of laptops from all the major companies, including the increasingly popular Apple.
While the school year may be filled with textbook reading, Christmas is perfect for some light-hearted reads. “Everyone knows we have lots of serious books,” says Ann Smith, general book buyer, “but we have lots of fun books, too.”
The Mammoth Book of Sudoku by Nathan Haselbauer ($16.95) is a collection of the addicting numbers game that can keep you occupied for hours. The Book of Lists by David Wallechinsky ($25) has endless lists about interesting facts you never knew.
Ever wonder what to do if your camel runs away from you? Or if you get buried alive? The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht ($19.95) provides short articles on how to survive life's strangest moments.
The holidays are always a prime time for cooking nightmares. But reading about other people's disasters is much more amusing than living through one of your own. Dave Cooks The Turkey by Stuart McLean ($15) is a hilarious story about how apparently simple Christmas dinners can go horrible wrong. Luckily, cooking disasters aren't only for amateurs. Don't Try This At Home, ed. Kimberly Witherspoon and Andrew Friedman ($32.95), is a compilation of cooking horror stories by famous chefs, showing that everyone can have a bad day in the kitchen.
March of the Penguins is a sweet documentary that has won the hearts of many. The matching movie guide, March of the Penguins by Luc Jacquet and Jerome Maison ($37) is filled with glossy photos of adorable penguins from the film. “Its a wonderful coffee table book,” says Smith. “Anyone who has seen the movie and liked the penguins will love this book.”
Most computer electronics from the Microcentre are not kept in stock. All items can be ordered at the counter and are delivered within three to five business days.
To serve the shopping needs of those on campus, Titles will be open everyday this week from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with free gift-wrapping from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Contact Titles at bookstr@mcmaster.ca for specific inquires or visit http://titles.mcmaster.ca for more information.
