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Tips:
Get
an idea of how many people you will be buying gifts for,
make a list if necessary and do it as early as possible
(preferably before Thanksgiving).
Plan
a budget based on how many gifts you will need to purchase,
and set a price limit for each. For example, $20 for a gift
for a friend and $30 for a gift for Mom.
If
you have a hard time knowing what to buy for the people
in your life, ask them to give you a list of 3 things they
would like.
Once
you know what you are going to get your family and friends,
it is time to hit the stores! But be choosey about the days
and times you will be going shopping. Try to avoid the stores
during “peak times” such as Black Friday (the
day after Thanksgiving also known as the busiest shopping
day of the year), weekends and Christmas Eve. If you decide
to go during these times, you risk: long lines, limited
parking spaces and large crowds of shoppers. Holiday sales
are typically extended throughout the season, so you won’t
miss out on any good buys.
To
beat the craziness of the holiday rush altogether, learn
to shop on line using the Internet. This is simple and can
help you to learn a new skill, while shopping at your leisure.
Since this is becoming a very popular way to shop, you are
bound to know someone who can show you the ropes. The key
with online shopping is to do it early, this way you can
allow enough time for shipping.
Be
sure to dress comfortably for shopping outings. Wear sneakers
or any flat shoes that are good for walking long distances
and for standing on hard surfaces. Dress in layers so that
you may remove clothing and tie it around your shoulders
or waist if you become warm while in the mall.
Reward
yourself during your shopping excursion by taking a break
and having a hot chocolate or coffee at the mall’s
food court. You will need a short reprieve for your achy
feet, and time to regroup. Use this time to check off your
list of gifts purchased, and circle presents yet to buy.
Another bonus you can give yourself is to shop with a friend.
This can help make your shopping experience more pleasant.
If you decide to make an afternoon or evening out of it,
have a meal out and relax with that shopping companion.
Now that you have done your shopping, it’s time to
wrap! Remember, this should be an enjoyable part of the
holidays, so don’t save all the wrapping to do at once.
And do not leave your wrapping to the last minute, such
as on Christmas Eve or the day before Hanukkah begins. Wrap
a handful of gifts a night and do it while listening to
holiday music, watching a holiday special or in full view
of your Christmas tree or Menorah.
To
successfully write out your holiday cards without getting
writer’s cramp, do a few at a time. Start out by making
a list of the people you would like to send Season’s
Greetings. Check your address book to make sure you have
everyone’s complete address. Keep in mind, cards for friends
at school or work can be hand delivered. This is a good
way to save money on postage expenses. Be sure to start
writing your cards as early as possible, people enjoy receiving
and displaying cards before the holidays. Even though the
holidays can be difficult at times, by following these simple
tips, you are sure to survive them. You may even find that
you have enjoyed the holiday activities, possibly learned
a new skill, and decreased your stress level. These are
valuable hints in reminding ourselves not to lose sight
of the true meaning of the holiday season.
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