By MADDY VITALE
There are a few requirements for holiday shopping: a list so that you have an idea of what you will get your family and friends, and a plan showing you where you will likely find the best deals on those perfect gifts.
And if you headed to Ocean City on Saturday for “Earlier than the Bird,” from 8 a.m. to noon, like hundreds of other shoppers, you also needed your pajamas.
With temperatures in the mid-40s, no one was complaining about being dressed in their night clothes for the popular annual shopping extravaganza. It seemed the holiday-themed robes and fluffy socks were enough to take shoppers from shop to shop.
Michele Gillian, executive director of the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce, said of the event, “We are so excited to see so many shoppers enjoying the downtown before Thanksgiving. It is really wonderful.”
The event is eight years old and grows bigger and better every year, Gillian pointed out.
“What a wonderful way to start the holiday season,” she said.
Adding to the festive downtown atmosphere were wreaths adorned with red bows that hung over top Asbury Avenue and garland and ribbons wrapped around old-fashioned style lamp posts.
There were even free horse and carriage rides from noon to 3 p.m., which added to the holiday spirit. Carriage rides continue at the same time Sunday.
Shoppers strolled around in fluffy slippers and robes decorated with Christmas motifs. There were even people dressed as elves.
Like previous years, people attended “Earlier than the Bird” to enjoy the holiday shopping excitement and be a part of the festive spirit. The lucky ones could win prizes for best-dressed.
Aside from discounts on merchandise were free cups of coffee and donuts at participating locations.
“There is no other place like it. No one does something quite like this,” Nicole Zaccarelli, of Philadelphia, summed up the atmosphere. “Even though I’m from Philly, there really is nothing else like it.”
And the sales didn’t hurt the happy mood.
“There are lots of sales,” Nicole’s sister, Melissa Zaccarelli, of Blackwood, N.J., noted.
The Zaccarelli sisters were joined by their mother, Gail, of Delaware County, Pa., who has a vacation home in Marmora.
The family wore red robes decorated with a pattern of Christmas lights.
Gail Zaccarelli said a bit about what she thought of the resort.
“It is like being in a Hallmark movie. Ocean City is special. It has a small-town feel and is really homey,” she noted.
The Zaccarelli family had just begun their shopping journey down Asbury Avenue, but had already purchased ornaments and gifts for family. Gail even treated herself to a craft.
One mother-daughter duo from Ocean City spent some time deciding what type of pajamas to wear.
“They are supposed to be bears, but they don’t really look like them,” joked Lizzie Peteraf of the fluffy slippers she and her mom, Lisa Peteraf, selected.
The two also wore flannel pajamas with an outdoor holiday theme. Bundled in hats, they said the weather really was perfect, especially because it was sunny.
“It’s a lot of fun today. We are getting some good deals,” Lizzie said. “It’s a great way to start the holiday season.”
“We enjoy Earlier than the Bird every year,” Lisa noted. “We get a jumpstart on gifts and it’s a lot of fun.”
While some people walked along the avenue in search of bargains, Laura Baisas, of Ocean City, and her family decided to plop down in the lifeguard boat in Mark Soifer Park, where a radio personality was announcing winners of raffles.
Baisas said, “It’s an amazing way to kick off the holiday season and support local businesses.”
For information about the Chamber of Commerce and Ocean City events visit www.oceancityvacation.com or call 1-800-BeachNJ.
