Many of us, particularly those going steady, entertain the occasional shopping date together to the mall or plaza. For those who have become financially and mobility-challenged due to world economic woes and local weather conditions, a new trend has been developing: monitor-shopping. Similar to window-shopping, this trend trades going out for being in. Though it may not be as glamorous and typical as a trip to the mall. Snuggling next to your significant other while browsing internet shopping sites has its benefits. There is not so much pressure to dress up, there are no traffic delays or parking frustrations, and it is as easy to compare prices by having two windows open at once.

Aside from eliminating the hassle of venturing out in what could be bad weather and/or bad company, going on an e-tail shopping trip with your loved once can be a serious money saver. There are no pushy salespeople, rude patrons, or shrill holiday music piped into your skull. Being in a private home also allows for more intimacy. Having snacks at home eliminates expensive and typically unhealthy food court fare. The ability to comparison shop with the click of a mouse saves time and money. Some websites out there will even collect data for an item from different stores and give the best prices. Most stores lower or eliminate outright shipping costs to attract holiday shoppers. And in these days of FedEx and UPS, an order can even be delivered within a few days of purchase.

To further enhance the lure of forsaking the mall for the home, many e-tailers are offering coupon codes and promotional codes for the season. Some kind souls have even taken it upon themselves to compile these codes/deals, keep them updated, and post them by category or website. One example of this is www.shoebuycoupon.net that collects and posts up-to-date and valid free coupons for Shoebuy.com a big online shoe and luggage retailer. There are many other similar sites that cover coupons, promotions, sales, rebates, and other deals for every conceivable product out there. To use them, just click on the link, and follow the instructions, entering the given code where applicable.

With benefits such as these, more and more couples are looking to turn a trip to the mall into one to the computer, particularly in this economic and seasonal climate.

Are you between the ages of 15 and 29, and are you interested in a more cultural date than your standard “dinner-and-a-movie” package deal? There are some great programs if you live in the Toronto area. Here is a list of three cultural treats that cost $20 or less per ticket!

Dance Break

Dance Break is a membership program that allows you to buy tickets to the National Ballet for $20. It is accessible to 16 to 29 year olds, and completely free to join. As long as you are one of the ticket holders, you can also purchase an additional ticket at the same price for your date, regardless of his or her age.

Extra bonus: you get the best seats in the theatre, excluding the Grand Ring. Regularly, you would have to pay over $100 for some of the seats you can access at only $20.

The catch: you can only purchase tickets on the day of the performance, so they are subject to availability. But really… there’s always some extra room!

For an overview of the 2008-2009 program from the National Ballet, go here.

T-Soundcheck

The Toronto Symphony (TSO) has organized a program called T-Soundcheck. If you’re between 15 and 29 years of age, you can sign up to buy tickets to the TSO for only $12! Sometimes there are even special promotions that are cheaper. Right now, you can buy tickets to Mendelssohn & Haydn at $6 a piece!

In addition, there is also an option called Tsoundcheck plus. These are ticket packages where you get to choose four concerts to go to. These packages are available if you are between 15 and 34 years of age. You get to pick between main floor, mezzanine, or balcony seating for the concerts, and you are automatically assigned the best possible seats.

Dating someone older than 29? Not to worry; as long as you are below the age of 29 you can purchase an extra ticket, at the same low price, for anyone else accompanying you. Regardless of your date’s age! If you can’t find a date, you can even take your mother instead, and just pay $12 for the ticket.

You can find an overview of the 08-09 concert season here.

New Age: Canadian Opera Company

Although at the Canadian Opera Company everyone under the age of 30 can purchase $20 tickets as well, it appears from their website that each ticket holder has to be under the age of 30. This is a considerable difference between the other two programs mentioned before.

Nonetheless, it is still a great deal and if you must take someone who is older, you might be able to get a rush ticket on the day of the performance for the same price.

Benefit: You can buy your ticket a week before opening night. For each performance about 150 seats are reserved for the New Age program. The seats are in sections 3D, 4C, and 5B.
The Catch: If you are on a date, both of you have to be under the age of 30 and bring valid photo ID.
Because the seats available are restricted to certain sections, you have a better chance at getting a great seat with the t-soundcheck, or Dance Break, programs.

Opera for a New Age tickets are available in person at the Four Seasons Centre, 145 Queen St. W., Toronto, or through COC Online using the Promo Code “DEAL.” Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m.

Have You Attended?

Have you gotten cheap tickets through any of these programs? Where you happy with your seats, and which one is your favorite?

Here’s a last minute date idea! If you’re up bright and early and reading this post, it’s not too late to wake up your partner, or your favourite pal, and head on over to Casa Loma for their “Royal Thanksgiving Brunch.”

Served in the Conservatory and Library, you’ll certainly feel like royalty as you savour your meal in the most elegant of surroundings. And, when you’re done, you can walk it off with a tour of this magnificent castle and a stroll through its fabulous gardens!

Seating times are Sunday, October 7, 2007 at: 10:30 am, 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, and 1:00 pm. Cost is $41.50 for adults; $20.75 for children between the ages of 4 and 12; and $11.00 for kids ages 1 to 3. Gratuities (but not taxes) are included.

For more information call: 416-923-117.

Casa Loma is located at 1 Austin Terrace, at Davenport Road and Spadina Avenue, in Toronto.

Visit their website at: www.casaloma.org.

Pikto Gallery is showcasing work by Yuriko Kubota, with the opening reception on August 30th, from 6-9pm.

Image by Yuriko Kutoba, courtesy: Pikto Gallery website

Where?
The Distillery District
55 Mill Street
Bldg. 59 – 103
Toronto, ON M5A 3C4
Canada
t: 416.203.3443
e: info@pikto.ca

When?
Reception: August 30th, 6-9pm