The Holiday Shopping Experience - Rewarding or Traumatic?

Home
>
Holiday
>
The Holiday Shopping Experience - Rewarding or Traumatic?

The Holiday Shopping Experience - Rewarding or Traumatic?

Picture this scenario! It's December 24th, the day of Christmas Eve. On this day you should be relaxing, enjoying time with family and thinking of all the precious memories you have created throughout the year.

No, wait! It's the last day of shopping before Christmas and you haven't even started to do your gift shopping.

You get into your car and fight traffic all the way to the local mall, only to spend an hour trying to find a parking spot. That is if you find one at all. You enter the mall in search of the perfect gifts and there is a stampede of people. Looks like everyone else is doing last minute shopping too!

You dodge the nudging elbows and stomping feet of the crowds. You're starting to feel claustrophobic, your stress level is starting to increase and you haven't even begun shopping yet!

Sound familiar? To top it all off, you browse through the stores only to find that meager offerings remain. The shelves are practically empty. What happens then? You spend too much money on something that your gift recipient neither needs or wants. Their gift wasn't chosen for them...it was chosen out of desperation.

Once again, you remind yourself that you will prepare far in advance for Christmas next year. The next Holiday Season arrives and you repeat the same traumatic shopping experience.

How many of us have waited until the very last moment to buy a gift for a loved one, friend or business associate? There is only three months left until Christmas and those days will go quickly.

Christmas is one of the most stressful events of the year. The expense of buying gifts and the pressure of last minute shopping can all take the joy out of the most joyful time of year.

Here are some tips to take the stress out of Holiday shopping this year:

1) Make a list of the people you will be buying a gift for before you go shopping. If you have a large family or friends to buy gifts for, it can get expensive. In our family, we have made the decision to buy only for the children. Another way to reduce costs is to have everyone draw a name out of a hat and buy a present only for that person.

2) Think of gift ideas for the people on your list and write them down. What are their hobbies and interests? What are their needs and wants? If you cannot come up with anything, ask the person directly for ideas. This will save you time wandering aimlessly in the mall in search of a gift and you will give a gift that your gift recipient really wants and will appreciate.

3) Buy a few extra gifts, for instance chocolates, so that you will be prepared just in case you forgot somebody or an unexpected guest arrives bearing gifts.

4) If possible, start your Holiday shopping a month or two before Christmas. It is never to early to prepare!

5) Don't forget about online shopping! Buy your gifts over the internet. You can find most gifts online, shop at your own convenience and you won't have to step foot in a mall.

If you follow these tips, you are on your way to a rewarding shopping experience and a less stressful Holiday Season.

We all must remember that Christmas is a joyful time of year. It's not about the gift you give or receive but it is about cherishing the special people in your life and spending time with them. Create new traditions and memories that will be with you for a lifetime.

Copyright 2004 Written by Lee-Anne Robert, owner of Cuddles 'n Gifts at http://www.cuddlesngifts.net featuring holiday gift baskets and gifts for any occasion. Check out the new Holiday and Christmas Gift Basket selection. With gifts this beautiful and classy, you will find a gift for anyone on your list!

In The News:

KATU
Holiday travel in Virginia predicted to increase
Progress Index
About 12000 more people are expected to hit the roads in Virginia this year compared to last year's Memorial Day holiday weekend, according to AAA - an increase of about 1.2 percent over 2011. The numbers are the result of a survey of travel intentions ...
Businesses looking up, as shore visits nearCherry Hill Courier Post
Rockford gas prices decreaseRockford Register Star
Arkansas Weekly Gas Price UpdateNewport Independent

all 1,011 news articles »

Holiday weekend first big test of Volusia's new beach-driving rules
Daytona Beach News-Journal
(NJ | Jim Tiller) Floridians are being warned by state and federal officials to keep an eye on a developing tropical system east of the state during holiday weekend activities. The system, which has caused flooding rains in South Florida this week, ...

and more »

Hometown Holidays
Washington Post
Change that the city's annual Hometown Holidays celebration Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 10 pm While dozens of concerts and shows play on eight stages across the Rockville Town Center, nearly 20 of the city's restaurants, from barbecue to baguettes, ...

and more »

USA TODAY
Memorial Day Preview: What to expect
GlobalPost
We trace the origins of the holiday. Members of the Armed Forces unveil the flag to celebrate Memorial Day prior to the game between the Chicago Fire and the New York Red Bulls at Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands on May 24, 2009 in East Rutherford, ...
Memorial Celebrations: Being Thankful For a Job Well DoneNJ TODAY
A time to rememberDaily Freeman Journal
Don't forget why we have Memorial DayMuscatine Journal
CollegeNews -The Coloradoan -Weatherford Democrat
all 136 news articles »

DWI Enforcement Common Over Holidays in Cortlandt
The Daily Cortlandt
by Jessica Glenza (email) New York State Police say enhanced enforcement of DWIs and safety restraints are now a common feature of holiday patrols. CORTLANDT, NY – Many consider Memorial Day the unofficial beginning of summer, and barbecues and beer ...

and more »

This is Money
Holiday money postcode lottery: Currency providers' exchange rates for euro ...
This is Money
Richard Lloyd, Which? executive director, said: 'Holidays don't come cheap and these anomalies don't help hard-pressed consumers.' A Thomas Cook spokesman said: 'Our foreign exchange bureaux in our stores are able to offer local rates that compete with ...
Some holiday money rates unfair, says Which?BBC News
Holidaymakers in exchange rate 'postcode lottery'Telegraph.co.uk

all 8 news articles »

Holiday display controversy resurfaces as committee drafts policy recommendation
Washington Post
As Memorial Day weekend approaches, Loudoun County officials are already thinking ahead to the winter holidays — specifically, the matter of holiday displays outside the historic courthouse in Leesburg. Over the past several weeks, ...

and more »

Columbus Dispatch
Dear Abby: Time to decline niece's holiday invitations
Philadelphia Inquirer
DEAR ABBY:My sister “Ruth” and I spent most holidays dining out together after our families grew up and left home. Ruth died last year and her daughter “Lara” began inviting me for holidays “so I wouldn't be alone.” I have tried to decline, ...
Dear Abby: Poor plan leaves aunt home aloneGoErie.com

all 29 news articles »

Most couples end up arguing on holiday
Times of India
Going on a holiday is supposed to be a chance to escape routine and relax with your partners, but unfortunately it also seems to provide couples with the perfect opportunity to argue. And most of the bickering starts before the trip has even begun, ...

and more »

Schafer: Holiday is a very special day of remembrance
Coldwater Daily Reporter
Unfortunately for too many people the reason for this holiday has lost its purpose. This is true of many American holidays, which have become just a time to eat, drink and have a good time. To other Americans though, this holiday is a very special day ...

Google News