It’s not a secret that the shops get unbearably full during the month of December, leading up to Christmas. Families are out in full force, irritating slow-walkers appear out of nowhere, and inconsiderate shoppers lose all sense of common decency. If you just can’t face the stress of the festive rush again this year, have a look at these helpful tips to ensure you survive shopping during the Christmas season:
1. Shop in advance
Of course, the easiest way to brave shopping during the festive season is, rather, to avoid it. Try to get all of your Christmas shopping done before the end of November. That way, you’ll escape the throngs of people trying to make last-minute buys (and you may escape the heightened festive season prices too).
2. Shop Online
In the 21st century, shopping malls are redundant. Why go out and risk being flattened in a stampede to the sale items when you can shop leisurely without leaving the house. No fuss. No stress. Amazon, Takealot and Kalahari have some great gifts and fast shipping, where you can get everything from books and electronics to DVDs. Kalahari is offering free delivery during the Christmas season! A lot of shops have their own online stores such as Mr Price and Zando. You can also browse eBay for great deals.
3. Avoid the end/beginning of the month
The worst time to shop is the week after pay-day, as everyone is out in full force. The final week leading up to Christmas is a no-go too! Avoid avoid avoid!
4. Shop during work hours
The busiest time for festive shopping is usually in the evenings during the week (after work) and on the weekends. One way to avoid this shopping disaster is to AVOID weekends and take your lunch hour a little early (not the normal 1 – 2pm shift). You’ll find the shops to be pleasantly emptier.
5. Have a Budget
Heading out to the shops blindly is a recipe for disaster. Decide how much money you want to spend on each person, and keep this in mind when strolling past all the “spency” and glitzy Christmas gifts that catch your eye.
6. Go with friends
If you simply have no other choice but to endure the festive bustle, then make sure you go with a friend or two. This way, you’ll have someone to talk, laugh, and lunch with – hopefully distracting you from the irritations that would surely ensue if you were to shop alone.
7. Make a list
Create a list of all the people you need to buy gifts for. Next, arrange what you need to buy in order (e.g. 5 chocolate boxes, 2 bottles of wine) so that you can get everything you need in one go, without having to return to the same shop a second or third time because you forgot to get your aunt a package of mince pies. Your list should be written under shop headings, and (if you know the layout of the mall), in order of which shop comes first when you enter the mall. Take a pen with you so that you can cross off the list as you buy to avoid duplicating.
8. Make your own gifts
Avoid shopping and create a truly unique, homemade gift. You can get creative and make decoupage coasters or home-made eggnog. Collect pretty glass bottles from markets or thrift stores, fill the bottles with eggnog, a range of pickled preserves, or brightly coloured sweets, and cork them. Wrap the bottles in gift bags or tie a pretty ribbon around them and you have the perfect gift! Another option is baking a batch of festive-shaped cookies and packaging them in colourful bags and boxes from Merrypak. After all, it’s the thought that counts, right?
9. Hire a personal shopper
If you’re really weary of the festive crowds and you don’t mind spending an extra penny, hire a personal shopper to do your dirty work for you. Make a list of everything you want and which shop you can get them from – and send your helpful elf out to endure the Christmas shopping drones.
10. Always check the return policy
You don’t want to be stuck with a gift that isn’t suitable, so make sure you’re aware of the return policy for any gifts you purchase. Make a note of if you will be able to return them, and if so, when you need to return them by. You don’t want to be heading back into the masses for no reason. An interesting side note – Amazon offers a return policy on anything purchased after 1 November that is valid until 31 January.
11. Buy in Bulk
One way of avoiding spending hours faffing through aisle after aisle trying to find the perfect gift for a friend or family member is to buy in bulk. Find a unique item that will work for a lot of people and buy enough for everyone. You can get bottles of wine for men and Christmas goodie bags for women. You can make your own handmade Christmas cards to add a personal flair to each gift.
12. Buy a few extra’s
You don’t want to be left in despair at having forgotten a couple of presents and have to force yourself back into the shops on Christmas Eve. Make sure you have a few spare boxes of chocolates or bottles of wine – after all, they won’t go to waste.
What are your tips for surviving the festive season fanatics?
Main Image by Brett Neilson (Flickr)
